elevation blues

[Dougfir]

Hey all, I went elk hunting for my first time, this past October. I got a cow tag for unit 54 in Colorado and headed out for the first rifle season. It was beautiful and a lot of fun. I was even lucky enough to shoot an elk! However, there was one thing that really put a damper on that trip for me and it was the elevation. I had a tough time adjusting.
The discomfort of it went away after a few days and it felt manageable during the days (though I felt like I was in half my normal shape on any uphill slope), but the real problem was the nights. I just couldn't sleep most of the time. I'll bet I averaged 2-3 hours of sleep the whole week and it really caught up to me by the end. I was in rough shape and enjoyed one of the most delicious nights of sleep in my life when we came down to Denver before flying out. We were hunting mostly in the 9500-10500 ft range and sleeping around 9100.
So, here's my question: I'd like to do this again some time; probably in 2 or 3 years. What are some states and areas I might want to look at where elevation isn't so much of a factor? (I know I'd probably do fine if I took a week or two to acclimate out there, but that's not apt to be in the cards. Too much time away from home.) I lived in Montana for a while and I know elevations aren't too high in most of that state. But, it looks really expensive between the tags and the flights. I'd really appreciate some ideas for other areas I can start researching. If it makes any difference, I think I'd err on the side of more open country and not dense softwood forests, but I'm open minded. Thanks!

 

[Poser]

Protip: 6mg melatonin + Advil PM + 2 cups Chamomile Tea + appropriate serving size "Colorado sleep aid" and you'll sleep all night.

 

[under h2o hunter]

You can hunt Oregon or Washington which would be a lower elevation. New Mexico if you're luck to draw a tag there. Of course you could hunt Tule elk in California. That sucks that you're affected by the elevation so bad. But congratulations on the taking of your Cow Elk.

 

[307]

Viagra? Side effects may be a bit awkward, especially if you're hunting with another guy.

 

[steveo]

get a Diamox prescription. End of problems

 

[Mike7]

Something to consider:
Spend 24 hours at least at 6,000 to 8,000 ft, then take your time going in from their without setting any land speed records, stay hydrated (use your urination as a guide rather than how much you drink as you will 3rd space some fluids), get Diamox as stated above and use it for the first few days at least, and take 400-600 mg of ibuprofen 1-2 hours before bed.

 

[Josh Wright]

Spend a night in lower elevation before you go and drink LOTS of water the day before and the day traveling to the trailhead.

While hunting, lots of water, and at night take 2 advil pm.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Congrats on the elk. Thats a bummer on the elevation. Fluids for sure.

On other places I'd likely pass on WA, I used to live there and success rates are certainly lower. Unless something changed east side OTC is spike only, Wet side is 3+ but is THICK hunting. Cow tags tend to take a couple points to draw and branch antler east side tags take even more points. You have to buy a OTC license to put in for specialty tags (unless they changed it). I've enjoyed elk hunting CO much more.

I sorta take being ~5300 during the year for granted in regards to not running into headaches or anything when I shoot up above 10k. Its usually the reduced capacity in my legs that reminds me how high up I've gone (yeah that part still happens ).

 

[Dougfir]

This is great advice that I did follow. I spent the first two nights at 7800, which was literally as low as I could get in the Gunnison area. I took some hikes those days, up to about 8500 and then moved to the 9100 camp for night 3. It definitely helped with how I generally felt, but even at 7800, the sleep was hard to come by. I hydrated like a fish; don't think I peed yellow the whole trip!
I'm curious about the Diamox. I'll look into that.

 

[xcutter]

Viagra? Side effects may be a bit awkward, especially if you're hunting with another guy.

That's funny stuff right there.

 

[COlineman78]

There are plenty of good hunting areas at lower altitudes. Where I hunt is 8500-9000. My dad used to hike the flat tops every year, but as he got older and out of shape it became unenjoyable and he would end up with a reaction that felt like a severe head cold the first night that stuck around for the rest of the trip. I have lived on the front range my whole life but I get dizzy when working hard above 13,000. I have a buddy though that altitude doesn't effect and he can hike full speed all the way up to 14,300 without any side effects whatsoever. If it's purely about sleep that's an easy solution with sleeping pills, but you could also treat the underlying problem by acclimating during your training. You can buy an altitude training mask and where it while working out and if you can stand it, you could try wearing it in your sleep for the week before coming out. There are also some OTC supplements as well as prescription meds for altitude.

 

[wyosteve]

The Black Hills area of Wyoming has good elk and 5 to 6k elevations which shouldn't be a problem even if coming from sea level.

 

[yardwork]

Good thread and an area I'm interested in as well but from a bit different perspective. Is there an altitude where elevation sickness becomes more prevalent? On my last trip we spent most of the week hunting at 7000 to 8000 and camped at about 6200. Other than sucking wind quite a bit harder I didnt have any issues. If I'm looking at areas in the 9000 foot range for this year, should I be concerned? What if I went higher?

 

[4ester]

I have the exact opposite problem. I get pumped up while in the high country!

 

[Jonathan_S]

I've never had trouble sleeping in the high country. Sometimes I have difficulty feeling hungry enough to replenish the calories I burn but sleeping comes pretty naturally.

Sounds like plenty of others have a similar issue though and plenty of remedies available OTC.

 

[PWCGray]

these guys have some good advice on meds, etc... just a little to add

I always tell guys the key components are don't get exhausted your 1st 48 hrs and don't drink a drop of booze. Guys get up in these mountains with so much excitement and can't hold back from pounding out a big hike the first day. That is a big no-no in my experience and can have lasting issues for your hunt. I particularly see it in with your sleep symptom.

On that, if you don't feel like you went too hard the first day but your sleep was severely degraded for the whole trip, go get a sleep study done. I've had 5+ clients that learned they had sleep apnea from their 1st high country hunt. Solved the issue with a sleep apnea device and now sleep better at home and in the mountains than they ever have.

Over hundreds of hunts, I almost never see altitude sickness at below 10k unless guys are drinking or getting exhausted off the bat.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Look at trying some Wilderness Athlete products. Namely the Altitude Adjustment pills, Multi Vitamins, Hyrdrate & Recover, and Energy and Focus. Their Nite Time Optimizer also helps you sleep, and seems to diminish the hangover feeling I get when I take Benadryl and Melatonin to help me sleep.
Drink plenty of non alcoholic fluids, especially while hunting (Use a Camelbak or similar, filled with the Hydrate & Recover). I have been using it a long time, and it definitely makes a difference when I leave New Orleans and head to 9000 feet every year.

 

[timekiller13]

This is a great thread. Personally, I have been more worried about the altitude more than anything for my upcoming trip. I live in NC at about 1200'. Last time I went out west was 12 years ago. I don't remember the elevation bothering me then but I was also 20 yrs old and way more resilient than I am now!

 

[sodaksooner]

The Black Hills area of Wyoming has good elk and 5 to 6k elevations which shouldn't be a problem even if coming from sea level.

Hard to get a tag there Steve....Would love to hunt that area, but I am from the BH of SD. My dad and brother have watched a lot of good bulls go over that border.

Actually accumulating points so I can do just that some day.

Oh Doug, don't let one bad higher altitude experience shut you down. I struggled with sleep for several nights my first time up. I drove straight from Tulsa to Leadville in one day, although I hydrated well, just didn't have time to acclimate. We typically meet somewhere now on the first day, Denver, salida, etc... spend the night, hydrate, then head up the next am. Never had a problem since. Typically lay off any alcohol the first few days as well.

I don't know if it works but I take altitude advantage. Maybe just the placebo effect but haven't had problems since 2003. It is cheap insurance.

 

[Laelkhunter]

This is a great thread. Personally, I have been more worried about the altitude more than anything for my upcoming trip. I live in NC at about 1200'. Last time I went out west was 12 years ago. I don't remember the elevation bothering me then but I was also 20 yrs old and way more resilient than I am now!

Read my reply above (#17). I live in New Orleans (-10 feet below sea level), and this will be my 27th year going to Chama,NM. We stay at an elevation of 7860 feet in a Hotel, but the Ranch is uphill from there, and some spots are on/near Chromo Mtn over 10,000 ft. I haven't gotten any younger, but I find that the Wilderness Athlete products make it possible for me to enjoy the hunt.
I'm not saying any other supplements won't help, I haven't tried Mtn Ops.