Sea level to 10,000 :: avoiding altitude sickness

[Trider73]

Hey guys,

I am going on my first elk hunt this year. I live on the eastern side of Pennsylvania, and I'll be hunting an OTC unit in Colorado. I am interested if anyone can give any advice on avoiding altitude sickness. I have read about medications you can take and hydrating weeks before the trip. However, I would like to hear from some people on this forum that have hunted at 10-12,00 feet in search of elk, who normally live closer to sea level.

Thanks in advance!

-Travis

 

[Theringworm]

Texan here. Hydrate hydrate hydrate. If you have time to acclimate a couple of days prior at lower elevation 6-7,000 ft, would be ideal. Diamox is a diuretic that your doctor can prescribe to help. Avoid alcohol use. Listen to your body. Headaches are common. I usually suffer from them the first night or two but haven’t had any additional issues. There are some great mountain sickness/high altitude society websites online with excellent info. A multitude of supplement companies touting claims of helping or preventing it. IMO, they don’t do much of anything but just take your money.

 

[Trider73]

Thank you!

 

[cnelk]

I know some guys have used ginkgo biloba with good results

 

[Wyobohunter]

Acclimate and hydrate. 10,000’ isn’t really all that high. Other than having a harder time breathing and tiring more quickly many people aren’t affected much. If you normally hike 12 miles/day hunting where you live count on 6-8 miles at altitude. Everyone is different and that’s just my SWAG. Some folks get sick at that elevation regardless of preparation. It can be kind of like sea sickness. It’s an issue or it isn’t.

 

[Dos Perros]

I live at 1000ft and we will drive all night get to the trailhead and then immediately hike to 12k+ft. Haven't ever been in great rippin' shape, pretty decent shape. Never had any issues. Just hydrate on the drive.

I have heard of others having issues, folks with better fitness than me, folks that live at 7k and get sick going to 12k. I think there's more to it. Genetic or some other factor that doesn't correlate to fitness or usual elevation.

Could you get your doc to Rx some Viagra, there is some science there that makes sense.

If you want to eliminate your chances of a hunt ruined the best thing to do is show up early and acclimate at the trailhead for 24 hours.

 

[Wyobohunter]

I live at 1000ft and we will drive all night get to the trailhead and then immediately hike to 12k+ft. Haven't ever been in great rippin' shape, pretty decent shape. Never had any issues. Just hydrate on the drive.

I have heard of others having issues, folks with better fitness than me, folks that live at 7k and get sick going to 12k. I think there's more to it. Genetic or some other factor that doesn't correlate to fitness or usual elevation.

Could you get your doc to Rx some Viagra, there is some science there that makes sense.

If you want to eliminate your chances of a hunt ruined the best thing to do is show up early and acclimate at the trailhead for 24 hours.

The viagra must be for all those lonesome hippy backpacker chicks you’ll surely encounter in Colorado

 

[willfrye027]

Acclimate slowly. Spend a night at the trailhead especially if going above 10,000 feet. The higher you go the more your body is affected, and it is exponentially higher as you climb above 10,000 feet. You will not really be affected unless you are sleeping at 8000+, but more likely to be affected if sleeping at 10,000 plus.

The medications available are essentially preventative. If you start getting truly sick, you have to descend in altitude.

 

[Lawnboi]

-Have a strong cardiovascular system
-Hydrate
-Hope you have good genetics

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I live at 33ft and go straight to 12k once or twice a year. Good advice here, hydrate, try to sleep lower than hunting, take time to acclimate if you can, the rest is a gamble. I’ve had buddies go 10 times without problems then the 11th they get hit. Learn the symptoms and take it serious, it can get bad quick.
It usually affects my digestion, no appetite and takes a long time to digest, so I plan my food accordingly. Will do more bars and snack stuff rather than a big freeze dried, at least the first few days.

 

[Tmac]

I live at 250’, I try and accumulate for a day if I can, if not I still go. What you should do is know the signs of altitude sickness, if they present, get lower fast.

 

[Jimss]

I live at around 4800 and have spent a lot of time scouting and hunting sheep and mtn goats here in Colo. Most of the time I'm at 10,000 to 14,000ish elevation. As mentioned in several posts....1) acclimate slowly, 2) don't over do it the first couple days, 3) drink lots of water, and 3 take a lot deeper breathes than you are used to taking.

I have never really heard anyone recommend super deep breathing but it certainly helps me. the first few trips each summer above timberline or when I'm super active. I make a point of breathing super deep even when sitting and resting.

I've done the opposite and have hunted Alaska...which is often at sea level to 2,500'. Talk about having lots of energy and easy breathing!

With that said, the worse possible thing you can do is get exciting and over-exert yourself the first couple days at altitude! If you start getting a headache...you are pretty well screwed!

 

[fngTony]

Fairy dust and magic wand, . Joking aside take it slow and acclimate. Most importantly talk to your doc about any specific risks you might have

 

[Marble]

22 years, all ages and health levels and never had anyone get it.

We do hang out at 8000 for a couple days prior to going in, but only to get stuff ready.

Like it was said in earlier posts, hydrate, electrolytes, and ready will help.

If you are up high and keep experiencing headaches, you are probably dehydrated, over exerted and in need of food and fluid.

Do the things to avoid it and worry more about killing stuff.

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[FlyGuy]

Get a script for diamox from your general practitioner. 2 pills/day for 3 days, start on the day before you hit altitude.


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[Laelkhunter]

Get in the best shape possible, arrive as early as possible, hydrate and hydrate some more. Start hydrating before you get to altitude. If your pee is dark, you are not drinking enough water. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
I live at sea level, and travel to Chama every year (this will be #33). I get up there a week early. I take some supplements from Wilderness Athlete, mostly Hydrate and Recover (several times daily & in my Camelbak while hunting). I also take Wilderness Athlete Altitude Advantage (pills). They seem to help me, but everyone is different, they might not work for you.
After the day's hunt, try to sleep at a lower altitude than where you hunt.

 

[Trider73]

Thank you all for the suggestions! We will likely be getting to CO around midnight so I'll be able to acclimate that night while we sleep.

If I could add one more question. Is there a real difference between 8-10,000 ft/10-12,000 ft as far as feeling the affects I am just wondering if there is a height that you feel the affects of the higher altitude more drastically, or is it more of a gradual thing?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Jbxl20]

I’m from central PA. And hunt around 10-11k in CO. It’s definitely harder to breath but I haven’t noticed much of an issue. Ive gone to the doc before and got pills but I have yet to take them. My Buddies were sick the first few days from taking the pills so I figured I’d roll the dice and I’ve been ok. Take it easy and enjoy your time. Good luck.

 

[WI in the west]

I love at 900 feet hunted at 12,000 last year. I dodnt have any issues with sickeness. The air is thin so be in shape. I packed a couple of electrolyte packets for each day and made sure to stay hydrated. I would get bad head aches when sleeping but once id get up and get my blood pumping again they wpuld go away so i wouldnt say it impacted the hunt. So get in shape and priorotize hydration

 

[Laelkhunter]

I haven't taken the prescription pills, but have read one of the side effects is increased urination. That might cause more dehydration, which will require more fluids. Just drink plenty of fluids, and don't wait until you are thirsty-it's too late then.