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Beware of High Altitudes!
Knowing early warning signs is half of the battle
It happens every year.In alarming numbers in fact. Lowlanders adventure to the mountains, usually after weeks of packing and repacking sessions in anticipation and careful preparation for the pending grand adventure. They have planned and plotted well, checking their lists twice, buying extra supplies just in case they need them. But far too often they overlook the obvious when preparing to adventure to high altitude destinations -- the real dangers of mountain sickness! If you don't prepare well, if you're not informed, your adventure could end before it really gets started, like in the example below.

On day one, a group of adventure traveler makes the long drive from the lowlands to the upper reaches of adventureland, ascending from sea level to altitudes of 8,000-feet and more. Upon rising the next morning -- day two -- our make-believe group of adventurers is anxious to get started on its high country getaway. Strapping on the backpacks and lacing up their hiking boots, they hit the trailhead with plenty of enthusiasm and supplies. The adventure is underway.

As noon rolls around, most of the traveling troupe is turning its thoughts to carbohydrates and calories. But at least one anxious hiker is feeling rumblings in the tummy. He (or she) complains he's not particularly hungry because of a nagging headache that started earlier that morning. The hiker's misery is building, and in this uncomfortable state of mind,he fails to tug on that water bottle as much as he should.

By mid-afternoon, our oxygen-deprived hiker has developed a more serious headache and has fallen behind, perhaps opting to stop along the way with promises of catching up after a brief rest.

But rest doesn't come. The energy has drained away, the head is splitting, the feet and legs won't work. What a way to start a new adventure.

Altitude sickness is nothing new. It's as old as Adam and as persistent as Eve. And while it may not completely ruin your alpine adventure, it can become a real burr in the old adventure saddle.

Consider the demand on the body. After traveling cross-country to reach your destination, the mind and nervous system are already dealing with the minor issue of motion instability. Chances are good that your diet has been off for several days prior to the adventure, another change the body must address.

Altitudes of 7,000-feet and above are going to have an effect on the body, sometimes subtle, but always a factor. And if you're already adjusted to low altitudes because of where you live and work, the problem is going to be more acute.

Let's get back to our uncomfortable hiker. After a short rest, he/she has decided he/she has come too far to spoil the fun and muster his/her strength and determination and resume the march up into the backcountry. By day's end, at an altitude of 9,000 -- 10,000 feet, he has crumbled into his sleeping bag not bothering with food and sleeps a restless sleep until the morning comes.

Upon arising, he can't shake the sleep from his head, still aching from the exertion and lack of oxygen. He may demonstrate signs of disorientation and energy has failed to come with the night's sleep. If he treks higher into the alpine country and fails to flood their system with renewing liquids, he'll not make it through day three without an oxygen-deprived physical breakdown. The joy is over before the adventure actually gets started.

Recognizing the early warning signs of altitude sickness can go a long way in preventing its ill effects. Doctors warn that a dry mouth and throat, dizziness or slight disorientation can indicate the beginnings of trouble. Primary to prevention is consuming adequate amounts of liquid and slowing the pace to reduce exertion.

Arriving at the adventure site a few days before any actual ascension or intense exertion will help the system adjust to the altitude level -- at least to a large degree. Feeding the body those needed calories is another way to keep the system in tune and running on all cylinders.

And whether you like it or not, refraining from alcoholic beverages will help enormously. Anything that requires the body to intake more oxygen is not going to go well with your early signs of altitude sickness.

At the first signs of trouble, pitch camp for the night and hang out as long as time will allow to adapt. If necessary, change your hiking itinerary, leveling off your backcountry adventure, or heading down to lower parts.

While light oxygen treatments are necessary for professional climbers (ascending above 15,000-feet), you will find you can handle up to 10,000 feet with time to adjust and appropriate preventative measures. The one thing you must guard against the most is allowing the sickness to settle into your system. Act immediately when you detect the first signs.

For the adventurer clambering above 10,000-feet, you should begin a comprehensive program of strenuous aerobics back in the lowland, long before your adventure begins. For the weekend adventure warrior, it should be enough to be aware of the dangers and adventure accordingly.

Don't let the high of your adventure take you to the bottom of the enjoyment factor. Be aware! Be warned! Be careful!