Elevation Sickness

[ringneckdog]

I was wondering if people could share what they use to overcome elevation sickness if they experience or ways they recommend to mitigate it as much as possible.

I am planning on doing my first Colorado bowhunt for elk this fall. I was planning on ordering the Wilderness athlete elevation product but wasn't sure what else was out there. I had thought about earlier in the year ordering a training mask but never did. I have been running every other day in our bluff's here is Wisconsin for 2-3 miles and then been hiking with 80-100lbs every other day as well trying to get ready for that last 4 months or so.

Thanks
Matt

 

[COlineman78]

Unless you are Aron who spends almost every weekend over 13' feet there is no amount of training that can be done to eliminate altitude sickness. No product will solve the problem, but there are some that can help. I have not tried any so I can't help you with that. However, I can tell you that I have lived in CO my whole life and I still get a headache if I push too hard once I hit 13k. I recently hiked Quandary (14,265) and someone from out of state joined and I warned them about pushing too hard but they did anyways and tried to keep up with my buddy who altitude has no effect on ending up with severe altitude sickness and was in bed for the rest of the day even though we were back down at 9,600. So anyways, my advice is to take whatever others recommend; but nothing will replace just slowing down and taking your time when you get to the higher altitudes.

 

[ringneckdog]

Unless you are Aron who spends almost every weekend over 13' feet there is no amount of training that can be done to eliminate altitude sickness. No product will solve the problem, but there are some that can help. I have not tried any so I can't help you with that. However, I can tell you that I have lived in CO my whole life and I still get a headache if I push too hard once I hit 13k. I recently hiked Quandary (14,265) and someone from out of state joined and I warned them about pushing too hard but they did anyways and tried to keep up with my buddy who altitude has no effect on ending up with severe altitude sickness and was in bed for the rest of the day even though we were back down at 9,600. So anyways, my advice is to take whatever others recommend; but nothing will replace just slowing down and taking your time when you get to the higher altitudes.

Appreciate the feedback. I have been to colorado a couple times years ago when I played alot of soccer tournaments out there and it didn't bother me then but I keep telling myself, that was over 15 years ago and I'm not close to the shape I was in then.

 

[sneaky]

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Not a cure all, but it certainly doesn't hurt. Take it easy the first couple of days, ease into it. You aren't trying to impress anyone, I hope, so set a reasonable pace and finish the hunt strong. You kill an elk the first day...well, you're on your own lol.

 

[Laelkhunter]

I live in New Orleans (below sea level), and go to Chama every year for the last 25 years to Elk hunt. We stay in town at 7800 feet, and everything is uphill from there, with max altitude on the Ranch is about 9800 feet. We try to get there several days ahead of time, and have been using "Wilderness Athlete" Altitude Adjustment and Hydrate and Recover (which is added to water). As already recommended hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. A Camelbak while hunting filled with Hydrate and Recover keeps me going, trying to keep up with the guide. Don't overdo the alcohol, that isn't the hydrate I was talking about.

 

[rodney482]

If you start to feel the symptoms you need to start heading to lower elevation asap. Hydration and easing into it is excellent advice ^^

 

[Newt]

I've been wondering this myself. Is there a particular elevation where people have noticed the change from able to cope to not? Say, if your hunting around 9500 feet vs 10500?

 

[5MilesBack]

I live at 6300' and hunt at 11k+ and I start over-hydrating a couple days before I head up. Hydration helps with everything at those altitudes. I don't think there is a magical elevation number as it is different for everyone. We had family visiting from sea level and one of the kids had trouble even at 6300 feet. Take it easy, acclimate, and HYDRATE.

 

[sodaksooner]

I just hydrate...a lot. I have used a product called altitude advantage. It is cheap so I don't feel it hurts, even if it is just a placebo effect. I will say the first time elk hunting 13 years ago, I had a headache for a day or so, but the last two years I have been ok, even up to about 12,300 feet. I just take in a lot of fluids and stay away from alcohol for at least the first half of the week. The pills have Ginko Biloba which is supposed to help. Whether it does or not, I really have no idea.

 

[Mmcan]

Easy review of simple stuff

https://www.guidefitter.com/news-an...il&utm_term=0_faa4e61684-7983c77164-267961341

There are much more in depth articles on some of the Mountain climbing sites

Read about HAPE

Your conditioning beforehand will help. But it is nowhere near as reliable as acclimating over the course of a few days, and also take into consideration what the difference is between where you live and how high you'll be hunting.

 

[FreeRange]

To echo the above advice, hydrate, start days before. I live at sea level but spend quite a bit of time at 8,000'+ throughout the year, only had altitude sickness once and that was over 14,000' and every time since then at those altitudes I have never felt sick. I have never seen my wife suffer from it on those same trips, we've both lived at sea level for the past 10 years. And yet, I have seen people get it at 7,000'.

In my experience the variation from person to person can be huge and sometimes inexplicable.

If you are truly feeling the effects of it you need to start thinking about getting down, realize that your physical condition and presence of mind will only continue to deteriorate the longer you're up there so as soon as you think it's getting bad, get down.

 

[live2huntelk]

Talk to your doctor ...he can prescribe something like Diamox for altitude sickness....it increases your red blood cell count so you can adjust to the altitude. The increased red blood cells help get more oxygen into your blood. As others have stated, stay hydrated....keep track of how much water you are taking in....some times you don't feel thirsty, but still need the fluids to stay hydrated. Your doctor can prescribe something for nausea as well to get you through the first 24-48 hrs (till your body gets acclimated) if needed. Don't plan on pushing it too much the first day at elevation.....give your body time to adjust.

Do a search on Rokslide and the internet for altitude sickness....lots of scientific based information out there to read.

 

[COlineman78]

There is no magic wall for most, but for me at my current fitness level and living at just over a mile high, my wall is just over 13k where if I push too hard I will get a headache. I definitely notice a harder time breathing when working out in Breckenridge (9500), but never feel any symptoms of sickness.

 

[PMcGee]

I live around 700' and the first time I went I did what everyone said on here. I hydrated well and laid off the beer. I didn't have any problems at 10300'. My girlfriend on the other hand got a severe headache the first day we were at the Grand Canyon which I think is around 8000'. She was fine after the first day.

 

[Mmcan]

Talk to your doctor ...he can prescribe something like Diamox for altitude sickness....it increases your red blood cell count so you can adjust to the altitude. The increased red blood cells help get more oxygen into your blood. As others have stated, stay hydrated....keep track of how much water you are taking in....some times you don't feel thirsty, but still need the fluids to stay hydrated. Your doctor can prescribe something for nausea as well to get you through the first 24-48 hrs (till your body gets acclimated) if needed. Don't plan on pushing it too much the first day at elevation.....give your body time to adjust.

Do a search on Rokslide and the internet for altitude sickness....lots of scientific based information out there to read.

Diamox can help, but it does not increase your red blood cell count.

It can hemoconcentrate your blood because it's a diuretic.
That can make your hemoglobin concentration increase, but the mass of rbc's carrying oxygen is unchanged. But you want to stay hydrated so the hemoconcentration should be negligible.

Diamox makes you excrete bicarbonate. This helps to normalize your pH, which typically raises because you breathe harder, causing a respiratory alkalosis. Diamox brings your pH down by flushing the alkaline bicarb.

Acclimate with a few days at altitude before going in to your base camp ar higher elevations.

Hydrate before, during and after your hunt.

Medicate if needed. I bring diamox, a medrol dose pack, and cialis (for HAPE) but only take meds if necessary. B ut I am diligent about arriving in town at least 2-3 days prior to ascending to camp.

 

[live2huntelk]

Diamox can help, but it does not increase your red blood cell count.

Thanks for correcting. I have taken it on trips for years and it has helped me. For whatever reason, I was thinking that it increased the red blood cells...my bad. I did a quick internet search on how it works.....you are correct. I learned something new. Thanks!

 

[Mmcan]

Thanks for correcting. I have taken it on trips for years and it has helped me. For whatever reason, I was thinking that it increased the red blood cells...my bad. I did a quick internet search on how it works.....you are correct. I learned something new. Thanks!

No worries! We are all learning good things here!!

 

[live2huntelk]

Medicate if needed. I bring diamox, a medrol dose pack, and cialis (for HAPE) but only take meds if necessary. B ut I am diligent about arriving in town at least 2-3 days prior to ascending to camp.

What is the medrol dose pack used to treat?

 

[COlineman78]

Also, don't just hydrate; but ensure you are getting electrolytes in some way. I use Mio. Aron said that he takes a pack of EmergenC.

 

[ringneckdog]

Thanks for all the feeback guys. I will plan on hydrated like crazy before, during and after. I was planning on bringing EmergenC with to put in my platypus bottles and then just run straight water in my bladders. I will talk to my Doc as well and maybe have him prescribe some just in case.

Again thanks for the tips. Love the Forum and peoples willingness to help each other out.