Entries By mike king
Posted by: Mike King
Categories: Mountaineering Fitness & Training
As climbers we need to travel safely through complex and hazardous terrain to reach the day’s objective and ultimately return to the car so that we can share our mountain experiences. As Guides we have 3 specific expectations of the people we rope up with:
- Keep the pace of the guide
- Climb in balance
- Take care of yourself at breaks
Climbing in balance will help you manage the other two expectations. By climbing in balance you will move through the mountains more efficiently and be less fatigued so that you can re-fuel and manage your layering at the breaks. Balance can be developed and improved through a variety of training regimens, and incorporating agility training is a great way to improve your balance while climbing.
Wikipedia defines agility as
- the ability to change the body's position efficiently and requires the integration of isolated movement skills using a combination of balance, coordination, speed, reflexes, strength, and endurance. Agility is the ability to change the direction of the body in an efficient and effective manner and to achieve this requires a combination of:
- • balance – the ability to maintain equilibrium when stationary or moving (i.e. not to fall over) through the coordinated actions of our sensory functions
- • static balance – the ability to retain the center of mass above the base of support in a stationary position;
- • dynamic balance – the ability to maintain balance with body movement; speed - the ability to move all or part of the body quickly; strength - the ability of a muscle or muscle group to overcome a resistance; and lastly,
- • co-ordination – the ability to control the movement of the body in co-operation with the body's sensory functions.
Mt. Rainier’s Disappointment Cleaver route tests a climber’s agility while climbing the rock ridge that divides the Ingraham and Emmons glaciers, aptly called the Disappointment Cleaver. In the spring months the route up the Cleaver is comprised of steep snow and by mid-summer is entirely rock. Regardless of the conditions, this section of the climb is more physically taxing for climbers who haven’t developed solid agility skills, as the Cleaver involves large steps, difficult footwork on loose snow or scree and 1,200 feet of elevation gain, so the ability to climb it in balance and as efficiently as possible is a must.
How to train agility:
Get off the pavement! Much of your balance and agility is achieved by small stabilizer muscles in your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and core. Running over roots, rocks, and uneven terrain will help you develop your agility by causing these muscles to fire more often and in different combinations as they adapt to the terrain changes of each step. Cross-country and alpine skiing, hiking, and yoga can all help to build these same stabilizer muscles and can be a tool if running isn’t possible for you. Off-road activities also help train you to look ahead to anticipate the irregularities of the trail. This will aid you when you climb so that you focus on what is ahead of you and don't get stuck on what is directly at your feet.
An agility ladder is a great tool for home workouts and will help your dynamic balance and coordination. If you do not want to purchase a ladder, draw one with sidewalk chalk on your driveway. There are a multitude of potential exercises you can use with a ladder, to build quick footwork, reflexes, and agility. Start with these and build your repertoire as you see fit!
Remember, if you're not having some fun while training then you will likely find an excuse to just go through the motions or not train. Get after it and I look forward to seeing you out in the hills!
Useful agility ladder drills: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxjC-0yuSHM
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Mike King is a senior guide with RMI Expeditions and a Wilderness Medicine Instructor for WMI of NOLS. Mike guides around the world for RMI. Some of his favorites are upcoming trips to Machu Picchu, Aconcagua, and Mexico's Volcanoes.
Questions? Comments? Share your thoughts here on the RMI Blog!
Rich - We totally agree. Thanks adding even more context to agility training!
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer (Guide) on 2/22/2019 at 12:05 pm
I find training agility to be an excellent adjunct to the monotony of steady aerobic training. With the right parameters, it can be used as aerobic or interval training. In addition, breaking down the components used in developing agility such as the feet, knees, hips and trunk can greatly enhance the results. For example, if the feet are limited in pronation or supination, it can greatly limit the strength capabilities of the muscles of the knees, hips and trunk. When both feet have optimal strength in all motions, then power increases and fatigue decreases. Training to climb mountains is challenging, but it leads to great rewards when the body is in fantastic condition.
Posted by: Rich Rife on 2/21/2019 at 11:59 am
Posted by: Mike King, Hannah McGowan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Congratualtions! So happy you all made it. I’m sure you had the most amazing view this morning. I’m so proud of you, Adam!
Posted by: Sarah May on 7/28/2018 at 9:05 am
Congrats on the memorial climb and summit! I’m really proud of the team and guides. Mike King is a certified badass! Adam and Garth, another notch. Booya!
Posted by: Parker Ayers on 7/28/2018 at 8:37 am
Posted by: Alan Davis, Alex Halliday, Andy Bond, Dave Hahn, Gloria Roe, Grayson Swingle, Hannah Smith, Jenny Konway, JT Schmitt, Mike King, Nick Scott
Categories: Guide News Guide Grant
Over the course of 5 days at Paradise in Mt. Rainier National Park, and on Mt. Erie, outside Anacortes, WA, we reviewed snow anchor construction and multi-pitch techniques for snowy environments, belaying and lowering techniques, short roping and short pitching, and anchor station management. Success in our guiding often lies in not only being able to utilize a number of techniques to manage risk, but in being able to maintain efficiency and timeliness at the same time. As we worked through different transitions, techniques, and scenarios with our peers, we all walked away with a few new tools in our bag and I'm convinced will be better guides for it.
This was a fantastic event for the eleven of us, and many thanks go out to RMI and the AMGA for putting it on. Congrats to Dave Hahn, Andy Bond, Mike King, Jenny Konway, Grayson Swingle, Hannah Smith, Gloria Roe, Nick Scott, JT Schmitt, and Alan Davis for completing the course!
-- Alex Halliday
Yasss SO proud of you smates!!
Posted by: Fyfy N on 7/15/2018 at 8:43 am
Posted by: Brent Okita, Mike King
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Great job Climbers! Can’t wait to hear all about it & see pics. We’ll have dinner for the team & Rick’s favorite cookies tonight. Your Mammas love you!! Mamma Kerr :)
Posted by: Mamma Kerr on 7/11/2018 at 2:44 pm
Posted by: Mike King, JT Schmitt, Ben Ammon
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
On The Map
Posted by: Mike King, JT Schmitt, Ben Ammon
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,000'
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Congratulations on your successful climb and descent…..... Lot’s of good memories, pretty pictures and the satisfaction of a job well done….......My granddtr and her husband are with the Hauger team, Lindsay and Matt…
Barbara Jones
Posted by: Barbara Jones on 6/25/2018 at 8:42 pm
Mike, congratulations to the team. We know everyone is anxious to Talkeetna. Hopefully, you will get some rest before meeting us in Colorado. Mom and Dad.
Posted by: Ron King on 6/25/2018 at 8:46 am
Posted by: Mike King, Ben Ammon, JT Schmitt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 20,310'
On The Map
Great work from the whole team.
Special shout out to Ben Ammon.
Posted by: Kevin Pilloud on 6/25/2018 at 7:45 am
Awesome work to the whole team!! We have done our best to follow the hike and send good vibes to Alex and the team. Make it back safe so we can hear about the adventure ~ Matt & Malin
Posted by: Matthew A Lewis on 6/24/2018 at 6:53 pm
Hope you’re having a great time, Ryan and Sheena, and the rest of the group!
Posted by: Terry Wisler on 8/10/2018 at 10:00 am
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