Tune into SUNS TV for more
Heavy snow falls and the Gold Coast SUNS players were forced to strap on snow shoes for their morning hike to Hochderffer hills, the hike taking the playing group to an elevation, some 2,743 metres above sea level.
Campbell Brown telling Gold Coast SUNS media, the addition of the snow shoes made it one of the tougher outings the squad have experienced.
“We were fitted with pretty big snow shoes and set off on an hour and a half hike to the Hochderfer’s about 9,000 feet it was pretty solid going.”
The high elevation trek came complete with Snow mobile support and promises of great views after a leg burning climb.
“Certainly burned the calves and the legs, it was a bit different walking in those snow shoes to normal runners or boots and for the boys it was a pretty mentally challenging day to day. It’s been quiet a big week and so we’re pretty happy to have the afternoon off.”
Towering Ruckman Zac Smith found the going particularly tough.
“The Snow was pretty deep, it was almost like sand but worse and we were just pretty much walking in soft sand for a couple of hours.”
Brown adding that while the challenges are becoming increasingly tougher, the boys have slowly adapted to the change in Altitude and climate.
“Now that we have been here for five or six days, the altitude isn’t affecting us as much, and while it was hard to get up to the mountain to 9,000 feet, breathing wise, I think we are starting to get on top of things.”
The squads workload will increase significantly during the next seven days with extended hikes through the Grand Canyon and up Mount Humphreys to come in addition to a number of heavy field sessions.
“It’s going to be even tougher again. We’ve got the Grand Canyon coming up and Mount Humphreys and a couple of really solid football based field training sessions, so rest up tomorrow and get back into it on Monday and hopefully be nice and sharp.” he said.
Stay tuned to goldcoastfc.com.au for the latest from the Gold Coast SUNS Arizona Altitude training camp.
