It is often said by experienced hikers that the best way to train for spending time in the backcountry is simply to “go hiking.” This is often easier said than done, and while hiking does provide a great foundation for leg strength and overall conditioning there are several additional elements that should be considered.

For example, I recently took a group to Patagonia, Chile, to hike the Torres del Paine National Park and to explore the many glaciers of Southern Chile. This 75-mile loop is moderate in difficulty and provides a wide range of scenery in what has been labeled as one of the classic treks of world.

With breathtaking granite spires, pristine lakes and iridescent blue glaciers, Patagonia and the Torres del Paine National Park are truly a must see. This adventure crosses several creeks, scrambles up rock gardens, and challenges even the experienced hikers with what seem to be hourly weather changes and katabatic winds so strong they can literally knock you off your feet. The adventure included seven days of backpacking around Torres del Paine National Park and three days of kayaking the Rio Serrano River. Preparing for this adventure required specific gear, understanding the climate and landscape as well as determining in advance the distances we would travel each day and the elevation we would lose and gain. All of these components were vital in preparing our training program. We knew what muscles we needed to train, the amount of time we needed to train, and what we had to look forward to.

Our training menu consisted of a systematic approach, not designed to get to the end in the fastest time possible but rather to adapt our bodies to the daily stresses we would encounter on this particular journey. The key to preparing for any adventure is “exercise specificity.” For the Patagonia adventure this consisted of strengthening the muscles used for lower-elevation hiking and kayaking.