text: I have done alot of mountain backpacking, and what i have found works best is walking long distances with backpack (at least 50 pounds) on your back. Also, when walking up hill there is aloit of stain put in the calf muscle and the best way to strengthen that is stand on the edge of stairs with your toees the only thing touching and then stand on your tiptoes, adn tehn come back down as far as you can do that daily your calves with thank you later. If u have any more ??s my AIM is tkachuk51 and i would be happy to chat with you (i am leading wilderneess trips this sumemr too)