Is one full day at 10,000 feet enough to acclimate for a flatlander?

[Burnsie]

I've had it hit me hard, and other times not so bad. I live at 700-800ft - when I was younger, stupider and in better shape, we would pull into the trail head, throw on our packs and start blazing up to 9500 - 10,000ft.
That's when it would hit me hard, didn't matter what shape I was in. Now we are a bit smarter and walk in at about 8000' set up camp and start going higher the next morning. It's still a killer for the first few days, but at least not getting so sick. Usually, I'm telling myself " hey, I'm getting used to this, this isn't too bad now" about a day or two before we are scheduled to head home - never fails.

 

[DangerRanger]

To acclimate? No

To not get sick? Maybe

It depends on both the person and the specific trip. You can be in the best shape of your life and it may still bring you to your knees. And it may do it to you this time when last time it didn’t.

 

[Poser]

Full acclimatization would take 1-3 weeks. You’ll feel better with 1 acclimatization day than you would without one, but The actual process that would allow you to perform the same at altitude as you do at home takes awhile.

 

[stretch866]

Full acclimatization would take 1-3 weeks. You’ll feel better with 1 acclimatization day than you would without one, but The actual process that would allow you to perform the same at altitude as you do at home takes awhile.

Understood. I probably should have worded it better but the goal is just to not get sick or worse... I haven't really had any trouble at altitude in the past but that wasn't putting in this much exertion. Just trying to stay safe and be hunting albeit at a lesser clip.

 

[Loo.wii]

absolutely not

 

[307]

Take those O2 bottles you can get from most stores. I take a bigger bottle for camp and the small one for the pack. Not a replacement for acclimation but it helps.

Complete waste of $. Placebo effect at best.

 

[DanimalW]

I spent 3 days in Colorado Springs last summer with a drive up pikes peak, then over to Leadville for 2 nights at 10k. Never felt sick, but was easily winded when I got to 10k. Biggest problem for me was that I slept like shit at 10k. I would bring some Tylenol pm and or melatonin next time.

 

[DangerRanger]

I’ve done it without issue. It is a risk though.

 

[roadrunner]

I guess I could budget in another travel day... that gives me a half day in Silverthorne (9k) and then two rest days at 10k. Maybe that's the move.

It's more about needing to increase lung capacity first because the air more "thin".

Take the first couple days kind of easy before hitting it hard.

 

[BuckRut]

I am in the same boat traveling from 6k for a hunt at 11k-12k. I plan to take 1 rest day and ease into the hunt camping no more than 2 miles in the next couple days.

 

[Mojave]

No you will die, stay in the South/Midwest whatever part of Missouri you consider to be located in.

 

[rogerthat]

You won’t really know until you try it honestly. However you will notice the thinner air. Any sick symptoms drop down immediately

 

[S-3 ranch]

No I don’t think 1 day is enough time
I spent 4 days in Trinidad Co traveling up to 9-10k to scout and help in camp every day
the rest of the party flew in from Dallas, everyone including me got sick some worse than others.
me just headache and quizzy stomach
the worst guy didn’t get to hunt and Pretty much ruined the hunt bitching yet refusing to go to town down mountain

 

[JGBowman]

I am hunting a unit this year that will probably be at 8,500ft.

Normally when I go out the doctor gives me Diamox (Acetazolamide). Its helps with altitude sickness and since I got really sick once I always get it.

Wasn't going to this year. But I called the DOC at lunch to get me a new prescription.

 

[cuerro viejo]

nope but there are cheat meds to get around AMS symptoms. diamox and cialis but they don't help with catching your breath.

 

[traildust]

My plan is to drive to CO from MO, to Silverthorne where I'll stay the rest of the day, then up to camp at 10k the next morning. There I'll just be driving around and glassing a bit. Is that whole next day enough time to acclimate and be ready to hunt hard the following(opening) day?

Depends....we've done it several times, no issues

 

[Marshfly]

Sleep in the Denver area. That additional night at 5-6k will go a long, long way.

 

[Cannonball]

Depends on the individual. A buddy and I were mtn biking in Telluride many years ago. I was in better shape than him but got nauseous above 10k' and turned around but he was fine. We had been in town for a couple days already.

So to acclimatize no a day is not enough, its more of a question if you are susceptible or not.

 

[KsRancher]

I live below sea level, and go up a week early every year, staying at a Motel in the hunt area. I still have problems keeping up with the guide, but he is a local resident and used to it. I still make the best of it, and enjoy it every year.

Where do you live at?

 

[Burnsie]

Complete waste of $. Placebo effect at best.

Yeah the bottles of O2 won't prevent altitude sickness, but I have found it helpful to help me catch my breath when I'm really huffing and puffing. Take a couple deep hits if the oxygen, and my breathing slows right down, and I can catch my breath -but it has no lasting effect. Once you start climbing again, you're right back to huffing and puffing.