About three months ago, I got into "rucking" which is just walking with a weighted backpack. There are a lot of setups, but GoRuck is probably the most well known. I heard about rucking from Peter Attia's podcasts (which I highly recommend). What's great about rucking, in the context of backpacking, is that one can stay in shape for carrying loads with a small form factor pack, rather than loading up a regular backpacking setup. Rucking involves carrying the load higher on the back than in backpacking, and most people don't use a waist belt (I don't use one). I have found it a great form of exercise to walk with about 20-25% of my body weight, which is about 35-40 pounds, far more than I ever carry for backpacking. This makes my typical backpacking load in my ULA packs seem luxurious in comparison. Anyway, I haven't been able to get out much on trails for several years and this is a way to stay in shape in the city in a non-conspicuous way, compared to walking around with a backpacking setup. As we are now in the "off season" for the JMT, I thought I'd post as an idea for others looking to stay in shape. I also run about 200 miles/month and do weight training, but neither of those activities alone is sufficient prep for backpacking. At age 51, I am increasingly aware of the limited number of summers I have left to enjoy the high Sierra in relatively vigorous health and I think this rucking habit might buy me a few years into my 70s (hopefully) and maybe I have another good 25 years left to enjoy backpacking (crossing fingers, knock on wood).
ravi_jmt2013