"Natural Altitude Sickness Prevention"

[John Scifres]

My first couple hunts out west were bad.  But as long as I can get 1-2 days in between 5,000 and 8,000 feet, I don't seem to have a problem anymore.  

I think there a lot of variables involved, some physical, some attitudinal (mental, psychological, however you wanna put it) for me.  When hunting is good and I have something to look forward to, it just doesn't bug me as much.  

Eating and drinking normally really help too.  Conditions will also affect the way I feel. Cold and rainy/snowy days make altitude sickness much worse.  Congestion related to colds or sinus issues also will kill ya.  I take a decongestant every day on the mountain.  And an antihistamine every night.  I also used gingko biloba as well as ginger root the last couple mountain excursions I was on and believe they helped.  Gingko helps the brain and ginger root the gut.

[fnshtr]

John:
Good to hear from you! I may have to try the decongestant/antihistamine thing. I have allergies and suffer occasionally with sinus infections. That may have been a contributing factor to my bad experience.

The Gingko and ginger sounds promising, from your experience.

Like I said before, I've hunted high many times, have used the diamox on one occasion, always drink plenty of water (constantly drinking in fact), and usually spend several nights at increasing altitudes trying to acclimate...

Last year it was 2 nights at 8500' with no problems... and then the BAD night at 9500'.

I have not tried the herbs you mentioned NOR have I tried the tums.

I guess my biggest fear is that it can hit just about anyone at any given time... no matter what precautions/meds are taken. I hope I'm wrong.

[Tom Leemans]

I know a guy who climbs mountains for sport. Of course, they handle it by going up to elevation "X", then back down a little, then back up, several times to acclimate before heading for the summit. You have to have time available to do that though.

[Roadkill]

At the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Center we get Marines from Hawaii.  needless to say the altitude difference is substantial.  Our routine is to make them drink all the time and start with day hikes and jogs.  These guys/gals are in shape when they get there.  i assume being in great shape helps mitigate and that the lungs are used to working hard.  Try jogging a bunch, stair climbers and stairs with heavy packs on-so that you breath heavily.  Cannot stree drinking water all the time-all the time.

[Steve O]

No. Simply no.

Go out early, ease into things at altitude and you will be fine.

Take shotcuts and you may be fine, maybe not.

Those sherpas popping garlic are not living at 600' and then hopping up Mt. Everest with the rich enviornmentalists 250# pack...

Rolaids are the ones that work, straight original Rolaids.

You may find this article, written by a very accopmlished high altitude hunter (and pharmasist) interesting.


  High Altitude Hunting

[Pete McMiller]

Terrific article Steve, thanks for posting it.  Very informative with a scientific bent to it.

[fnshtr]

Thanks for the link Steve. Still researching.

[Pointer]

Ginko Biloba worked great for me this past summer when I went out on a hiking excursion into Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado...

[screamin]

Steve, great article, thanks for posting it.

[Mike Vines]

WOW, that makes for some good reading Steve.  Thank you.  You tend to have all the CORRECT answers.

[T Sunstone]

I have never had a problem but my friend has.  He's OK under 6,500 but over that it's like his time of the month.    Two times we camped over 10,000 and he was hell to live with and didn't want to hunt.  First time he blamed it on a bad Tex Mex food the day we packed in.  Maybe it is the antacids because I take them everyday and he didn't.  I used to ski a lot and never had a problem there either.

[medic77]

I take an aspirin a day for about a week before hitting the altitude.  Seems to help.

[fnshtr]

I finished the article that Steve gave us. I hate to take the diamox, but that appears to be the best alternative. I am also on the aspirin regimen. I guess that may be why garlic helps some as it also thins the blood.

Thanks for all the input guys.

I hope none of you ever have to experience it.

[Homebru]

Requesting medical advice on the internet is like asking for legal advice on the internet.  You get what you pay for and it's easily worth twice the price.

homebru

[fnshtr]

I never asked for medical advice... only recommendations based on other peoples experience.

[Mike Vines]

Acclimation is the only true way to acclimate yourself to altitudes.  When I arrived at White Sands Missle Range, we were MADE to run 2 miles the 1st full day we were there.  Elevation was near 5000' (I know it's not that high, but coming from 700', it was a killer).  I don't remember my time, but I failed the time I need to be under 15:54 for 2 miles (I believe I was over 18:00 minutes)  1 week later we were MADE once again (I view running as a spectator sport), my new time was where it shoyld have been, well below 14:00 for 2 miles.  I did not use any suppliments, or wive's tale remedies, just time at that elevation.  

That's about all I can add to this topic, except to say...Bonjour...

[LongbowArchitect]

I use Gingko Biloba for my high altitude cycling training rides (14,000' Mt Evans) here in Colorado with much success.  I start taking it a couple of days before each high altitude ride and it makes a huge difference.  I haven't experienced high altitude sickness since I started using Gingko Biloba about 6 years ago.

[jax]

Blood doping

[Jon Stewart]

Hunted in Co a couple of years and friends who lived out there recommended to bring hard candy and suck on it while hiking and drink lots of water.  I either didn't get the sickness or that worked for me.

[fnshtr]

Thanks all... I  really do appreciate helping me get this taken care of before my next hunt.

A friend sent me the following link; he says it really works. For what it is worth...

www.altitude-adjustment.com