A Trip Gone Awry

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Lessons for all of us.

 

[AWG_Pics]

Last year we spent much of our three plus weeks above 8,000 feet, up to over 11,000 feet on Mt Ellen in the Henry mountains. But... we live at sea level (210 ft asl, actually) so we knew to spend at least 4 to 5 days above 4,000 ft to let our bodies acclimate. We were breathing deep for oxygen on Mt Ellen, Angel Lake and around Wheeler Peak but never felt dizzy or headaches.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/awg_pics/albums/72177720302457889

This guy will be back -- he learned a valuable lesson. Good of him to share it.

 

[pvstoy]

Looks like three lessons worked into the story.

• Careful where you drive to disperse camp for road conditions and weather. Been there done that!
• Pay attention to your body for high altitude symptoms as with a vehicle you can gain higher elevations faster than your body can adapt to. Be smart and descend to lower elevation.
• There is always adjustments to multiple plans that can be developed and still have a great time and see wonderful sights.

Thanks for sharing... where is part two?

 

[craig333]

When I was in the White Mountains I developed a headache. Mild hangover? I did have a pliny for dinner. I decided it wasn't worth the risk just in case it was altitude sickness and promptly descended.

I hate to see people rutting up roads because they didn't want to turn around

 

[ski3pin]

Good for Donald to recognize the signs and symptoms of AMS and descend - the only real "fix". The one contributing factor he did not mention (and sorry if I missed it if he did) was lack of good rest and sleep on his drive to Colorado.

This did not apply to Donald, but as Craig mentioned, alcohol does not mix well with AMS. One of Julie & my first First Responder instructors was a paramedic who worked at South Lake Tahoe. Weekends meant partiers coming up from the Bay area (sea level) and getting right to partying and alcohol and late nights at 6300 feet elevation. AMS big time.

Mr. Sage, thanks for posting the video. We watched it early this morning with our mugs of coffee.

 

[JaSAn]

One thing I have learned from experience:
If you travel with a pet, they can suffer from the same altitude issues and you. And they can't tell you so you need to watch their behavior.

 

[craig333]

good point. I live at sea level (pretty dang close, 25asl) and i try and spend a day or two at 6-7k before I move on up. Ted's spot is as high as I'll go in a day trip and that's pushing it.