ESSENDON is bound for freezing conditions in Colorado with 26 players flying out of Melbourne on Saturday for the club's second go at altitude training.
After sending a group of 10 players to trial the training last year, the Bombers have committed to a larger squad in 2013.
Midfielder David Zaharakis said he expects the camp – some of which is in minus-15 degree temperatures – to help the players through their pre-season campaign.
"I felt [the benefits] probably all through pre-season [last year] and it enabled you to build up stronger base in pre-season to carry on during the season," Zaharakis said on Saturday before the team departed.
"The conditions will be pretty tough but last year the guys felt the effects of it through the season and hopefully that will happen again this year.
"We run the same schedules as we do in Melbourne except we add in a few hikes and a few tough challenges on the way. We do a lot of leadership over there and come closer as a group."
Assistant coaches Matthew Egan, Nathan Bassett and Simon Goddwin will head on the trip, along with high performance manager Justin Crow.
But the Bombers don't leave without some more time in the spotlight.
The AFL is continuing its investigation into whether Essendon invited unlisted players to train with the club ahead of the rookie draft without the League's permission.
It came weeks after new coach Mark Thompson said the club was striving to "just do things right", and Zaharakis said it was frustrating to see the club back in the headlines.
"'Bomber' spoke that we want to do everything right this year so we'll be trying our best to do that this year. Obviously a little slip up doesn't help in trying to get that message across to fans," Zaharakis said.
"The club's across that with the AFL and they're dealing with that. It can be a little frustrating at times that we want to get a clean slate again and little stuff's happening.
"Hopefully we can tie that up and moving forward that will be right."
New recruit Paul Chapman will not head to Boulder for the two weeks altitude trip, with the half-forward only starting his pre-season on Monday.
"But he did come in yesterday to meet all the guys who were going to Boulder, so that was really good of him to come in and meet all the guys who will be in Boulder for two weeks who he won't see until Christmas," Zaharakis said.
"He's been a great player for Geelong in a successful program just like BJ (Brendon Goddard) was at St Kilda. He's been a great influence on us in the last 12 months and hopefully Paul can come and have that influence on the group as well."
