that altitude will kill us low landers.....those guys are use to it etc...even in great shape, you're walking up these steeps at about 50%, taking breaks more often, moving slower.....

couple times my guide was like, lets move and get up there, i said ok, 20feet later it was time to stop.

I think losing about 20lbs.....and getting in amazing endurance/running condition is about right ......walking around won't cut it....prior to an elk hunt....

bottled oxygen might help too.

I am actually going on a dream elk hunt of mine this year. An elk hunt in Colorado, where we will be backpacking into a wilderness area and hunting the whole second rifle season!

I've hunted NM and it's amazing. However, after seeing the 408 inch booner my uncle killed in Utah, I have no doubts where I'd be going.