Developed by John Frieh along with Scott Johnston, co-author of Training for the Uphill Athlete, and the coaching team at Evoke Endurance, this is a comprehensive training plan designed specifically for the physical demands of backcountry hunting. Once you purchase it, you own the plan for life. If Evoke Endurance makes any updates or improvements, your plan will automatically be updated at no additional cost.

This plan is written by the same coaches who created the original and updated versions of the 24 Week Expeditionary Mountaineering Plan and the Military Foundational Plan, but it has been fully adapted using lessons learned from working with hundreds of hunters preparing for demanding, multi day hunts. It reflects our latest thinking on endurance training, strength development, and the durability required for long days moving through steep and remote terrain under load. Detailed coaching notes are included throughout to help you get the best possible results regardless of your background or starting point.

The 20 week version is designed for hunters who may not have the full 28 week runway before their hunt but still want to follow a structured and effective training progression. The plan begins with an aerobic base phase that builds the endurance necessary to move efficiently for many hours across steep terrain. During this period athletes also complete general strength work to establish the foundation for the more demanding strength training that follows.
The middle portion of the program introduces max strength training to improve overall force production and help prepare the body for carrying heavier loads. The final phase focuses on muscular endurance and durability so hunters can climb, descend, and move under load for long days in the mountains while maintaining efficiency.

Every fourth week serves as a consolidation and recovery week to allow the body to adapt to the training. Week 12 also includes a retest of your aerobic threshold so you can measure progress and update your training zones.

While a longer preparation window is always beneficial, this 20 week plan provides a structured and effective progression that prepares hunters for the realities of backcountry travel. If you have a full 28 week window available before your hunt, you will see better results with our 28 Week Plan. Phone consultations are always available if you want help customizing either plan to your specific hunt and circumstances.

Equipment needed: Heart rate monitor. Backpack. Access to a standard gym that ideally has a treadmill and a stair machine.

Because you own this plan permanently you can reuse it for future hunts and will automatically receive any updates when the plan is revised. The coaches behind some of the most trusted and widely used training plans in the mountain endurance world are now part of Evoke Endurance, bringing that experience directly into this hunting focused program.