Wrestling in the Wyoming Backcountry
Wrestling in the Wyoming Backcountry
A remote wilderness camp, a 12-mile mountain trail, and wrestling mats transported into the Wyoming backcountry by horses and mules.
When most people think of a wrestling practice, they picture a high school wrestling room or a local training facility. For Wyoming Underground, the wrestling setup looks a little different.
At a remote wilderness camp in Western Wyoming, wrestling mats are packed 12 miles into the backcountry by horses and mules for the summer months. To get to the camp athletes hike the mountain trails for 12 miles. The hike includes several creek crossings where athletes help one another across the water. Once they get to camp they train on AK Athletics wrestling mats surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery. With dedicated coaches, motivated athletes, and the right mats, training can happen in some of the most unforgettable places.
Winner of the AK Athletics Backyard Gym Giveaway
During June, AK Athletics invited customers to submit photos and videos showing how they use their AK Athletics equipment. We received submissions from home gyms, wrestling clubs, training facilities, garages, and other unique spaces. Carter Downing’s wilderness wrestling camp immediately stood out because of its creativity, purpose, and commitment to giving young athletes an experience they will remember.
We selected Carter and the Wildman Adventures team as the June Backyard Gym Giveaway winner.
The program demonstrates that a productive wrestling space does not always require a traditional wrestling room. With the right planning, equipment, and training surface, athletes can practice in locations ranging from a finished basement to the middle of the Wyoming wilderness.
A Week of Wrestling in the Wilderness
Once the camp is set up, the real work begins. Athletes train Monday through Friday with experienced coaches, while enjoying the unforgettable outdoor experience. Each week, a new group of wrestlers and clinicians arrives, bringing fresh energy and new opportunities to learn. Away from distractions of everyday life, athletes spend their days focused on wrestling, teamwork and growth.
Athletes train throughout the week beneath a wilderness camp tent in the Wyoming backcountry.
The outdoor setting also creates a different atmosphere than a traditional training facility. Wrestlers spend their days surrounded by mountain scenery, fresh air, and other athletes who share their interest in the sport. Between wrestling practices, long hikes, creek crossings, and time at camp, the athletes build confidence and friendships that can last well beyond the end of the week.
Wrestling Mats Built to Go Anywhere
From the Trail to the Training Area
The mats are packed into camp, unloaded, positioned, and prepared for daily wrestling practices in a location far beyond a traditional gym.
Transporting wrestling mats into the Wyoming mountains isn’t easy. The mats must withstand:
- Being loaded and unloaded multiple times
- Being transported by horses and mules
- Withstanding the mountain weather
- Daily practices throughout the week
AK Athletics wrestling mats continue to provide a safe and comfortable training surface, both in the mountains and wrestling facilities.
Investing in a quality wrestling mat helps ensure years of dependable performance.
Tips for Using Wrestling Mats Outdoors
Although wrestling mats are commonly used indoors, temporary outdoor setups may be possible when the area is carefully prepared and the mats are properly maintained.
Before setting up wrestling mats outdoors, consider the following:
- Choose a Flat, Clear Surface Remove rocks, branches, sharp objects, and other debris before unrolling the mats. The surface should be as leveled and stable as possible.
- Keep the Mats Dry Avoid setting mats directly on wet or muddy ground. Moisture underneath a mat can create cleaning, storage, and odor concerns.
- Secure the Training Area Make sure mat sections are properly positioned and secured with wrestling mat tape before athletes begin practicing. Inspect seams and edges throughout the day.
- Clean the Mats After Use Outdoor training can introduce dirt, dust, leaves, and moisture. Clean the mats with an appropriate wrestling mat cleaner after each use.
- Allow Mats to Dry Completely Mats should be completely dry before they are rolled and stored. Rolling a damp mat may trap moisture inside.
- Store Mats in a Protected Location When the mats are not being used, keep them covered and protected from prolonged exposure to rain, direct sunlight, and extreme temperatures.
Outdoor conditions can vary significantly, so coaches and facility leaders should evaluate the location before every practice and adjust the setup when conditions are not suitable.
Wrestling Beyond the Gym
The Journey Is Part of the Experience
Reaching camp requires teamwork, endurance, creek crossings, and miles of travel through the Wyoming wilderness before practice even begins.
One 12-year-old athlete completed the 12-mile hike into camp four times in a single week, in addition to daily wrestling practices and camp activities.
Wrestling is only one part of the Wildman Adventures experience. One 12-year-old athlete completed the 12-mile hike into camp four times in a single week, covering nearly 50 miles in addition to daily practices and camp activities. The experience builds endurance, teamwork, responsibility, and confidence while showing how wrestling can extend far beyond a traditional training room.
Not every project involves transporting mats into the mountains. AK Athletics helps customers create training spaces in basements, garages, schools, clubs, recreation centers, and large athletic facilities. Our team can help you compare mat sizes, thicknesses, colors, graphics, and layouts based on your space and training goals.
Start Planning Your Next Wrestling Space
Whether you are creating a home wrestling room, upgrading a school facility, building a new club, or planning a training setup somewhere completely unexpected, AK Athletics is ready to help.
Explore Roll-Up Wrestling Mats
From basements and garages to outdoor camps reached by horse and mule, AK Athletics helps athletes get the equipment they need to Train Hard. Train Safe.
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