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Altitude Sickness

post #1 of 60
10/15/08 at 1:20pm
Thread Starter 
Sucks sooooooooooooo bad. Experienced it for my first time today and it felt like my head was going to explode and I could feel every rotation of the Earth.

When ski patrol asked me if I had gotten rest the previous night, had anything to eat recently, and if I had been drinking water and I answered them all "no", the only thing the patroller said back was "no wonder".

That said, I wanna thank Lief at A-basin for helping me out and hooking me up with a free lift ticket since I only got one run in today. If any of you guys see him patrolling, let him know how great of a guy he is.
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post #2 of 60
10/15/08 at 1:46pm
I feel for you...first time I skied Copper was when I lived in FL and we did some very high hike to stuff...made it through the day, but didn't make it through dinner- killer headache among other things.

Lowlanders would well served to drink water not booze, rest and take it easy their first few days at altitude, especially CO as it is very high...
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post #3 of 60
10/15/08 at 1:46pm
I have only skied about 6 times, I get the sickness very bad. The last trip I got a patch from my doctor and I never had to puke the whole time we were in Steamboat. The trip before I was so sick the first two days I could not eat a thing. I dont remember the name of the patch , but I will get it again. I think I drank more water before the trip but still , much better.
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post #4 of 60
10/15/08 at 2:04pm
I have skied Abasin several times and have never had altitude sickness. I have had a few light headed moments when I forget to breath, which is easy to do when you're having fun.

My husband has diminished lung capacity, and he suffers terrible from AMS if he does not prepare ahead of time.

He takes a product by New Chapter, called Breathe.
Prior to our last trip to Summit County, he began taking this stuff one week ahead, which served him well.

BTW, I drink water, lots and lots of water, and I use a camelbak
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post #5 of 60
10/15/08 at 2:13pm
Vertigo?
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post #6 of 60
10/15/08 at 2:15pm
I drink a gatorade before I get on the mountain. I also take sudefed(piss poor spelling) about 3 days prior everyday till I get there, try that. Also Ibprofen is a wonder from the gods so pill up and rip!
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post #7 of 60
10/15/08 at 2:28pm
Mojo, Steamboats' base area is under 7,000 feet so most people get by OK there. It's Summit county with the 9,000+ base areas that are really tough on those of us sensitive to it.
Glad to hear about Breathe. I'll try it.
I tried a prescription medication a few years ago and couldn't tell a lot of difference.
It's an interesting malady in that conditioning does not protect you from its effects. You either get it or you don't.
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post #8 of 60
10/15/08 at 3:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by steveturner View Post
It's an interesting malady in that conditioning does not protect you from its effects.
Ironically, conditioning may make the effects worse - some of the worst cases of altitude sickness (hape) happen to the young guys who have the stamina to push themselves past the point where they should have quit.

A guy I know grew up in Colorado and skied there all his life starting at about the age of 5. As a young adult he went off to college in the flatlands and came back to the mountains for Christmas. The first day back he skied as he had done his entire life, and had to be airlifted off the mountain with an acute case of HAPE. A lifetime of high altitude conditioning had gone away in a few months, but he was young and strong enough to press himself to a dangerous point.
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post #9 of 60
10/15/08 at 3:09pm
The question for TheGnar is...how long should he wait till he goes back up and tries again? He was talking about going up tomorrow...hardcore!
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post #10 of 60
10/15/08 at 3:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trekchick View Post
I have skied Abasin several times and have never had altitude sickness. I have had a few light headed moments when I forget to breath, which is easy to do when you're having fun.

My husband has diminished lung capacity, and he suffers terrible from AMS if he does not prepare ahead of time.

He takes a product by New Chapter, called Breathe.
Prior to our last trip to Summit County, he began taking this stuff one week ahead, which served him well.

BTW, I drink water, lots and lots of water, and I use a camelbak
Anyone know anything about the safety of this stuff? I clicked on the link but know nothing about any of the ingredients.
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post #11 of 60
10/15/08 at 3:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by steveturner View Post
Mojo, Steamboats' base area is under 7,000 feet so most people get by OK there. It's Summit county with the 9,000+ base areas that are really tough on those of us sensitive to it.
Glad to hear about Breathe. I'll try it.
I tried a prescription medication a few years ago and couldn't tell a lot of difference.
It's an interesting malady in that conditioning does not protect you from its effects. You either get it or you don't.
Maybe why it was not as bad , It was really bad in Breckinridge, and felt pretty bad in Crestted Butte.
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post #12 of 60
10/15/08 at 3:13pm
This thread has some helpful advise for dealing with and preparing for altitude sickness.
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post #13 of 60
10/15/08 at 3:14pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wannabe View Post
The question for TheGnar is...how long should he wait till he goes back up and tries again? He was talking about going up tomorrow...hardcore!

He has a good point. I want to head back up tomorrow and give it another shot but do you guys think it will be too soon? Wannabe thinks so but I still want to to give it a go maybe.



Quote:
Originally Posted by BillA View Post
This thread has some helpful advise for dealing with and preparing for altitude sickness.
Thanks for the link Bill!
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post #14 of 60
10/15/08 at 3:20pm
Rarely have I seen a thread with such a high density of misinformation about AMS. But what do I know; I'm just an M.D. Read the thread recommended by BillA, above.
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post #15 of 60
10/15/08 at 3:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RISkier View Post
Anyone know anything about the safety of this stuff? I clicked on the link but know nothing about any of the ingredients.
I know that it is derived from mushrooms.
It clearly says in the packaging that you should not take it if you are allergic to mushrooms.

True story:
First day at Copper last winter, Mr TC could barely walk accross the parking lot, and I had to carry his skis for him. Pounding head ache and sick to his stomach.
He'd been drinking water, but it was not doing the trick.
Someone in our group suggested that we go to the health food store and get a product called Altitude Adjust.
When we walked into the health food store, this hippy looking dood says....."Dooood, I got sumthin soooooooooooo much better than that. Try this!"

We were desperate and MrTC was willing to do nearly anything. This stuff worked.
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post #16 of 60
10/15/08 at 3:28pm
If there was going to be a ski day to lose because of altitude sickness, this was probably a good one.

And also on the plus side, you now have an excuse when you start feeling nauseous on your wedding day.
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post #17 of 60
10/15/08 at 3:38pm
Drink plenty of 3.2 beer and eat some shrooms. You'll be fine.
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post #18 of 60
10/15/08 at 3:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SKI-3PO View Post
If there was going to be a ski day to lose because of altitude sickness, this was probably a good one.

And also on the plus side, you now have an excuse when you start feeling nauseous on your wedding day.

Here's the way I see it:

1. Experienced my first opening day making one awesome run.
2. Experienced altitude sickness for my first time.
3. Got a free lift ticket.
4. Met a guy named Lief from Patrol. That's a pretty damn cool name.

Those are all firsts for me. What a great day.

Now i'm about to leave to go to a Nuggets game.
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post #19 of 60
10/15/08 at 3:53pm
Made with Organic Mushrooms. What do Russian mountaineers, Himalayan guides, and Chinese Olympic athletes have in common? The need to Breathe! They must have strong lings and excellent oxygen efficiency...

(As opposed to non-organic mushrooms)

I'd love to have strong lings!
woo hoo!




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post #20 of 60
10/15/08 at 4:07pm

AMS

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGnar View Post
He has a good point. I want to head back up tomorrow and give it another shot but do you guys think it will be too soon? Wannabe thinks so but I still want to to give it a go maybe.

Thanks for the link Bill!
A few years ago I climbed Whitney at 14,497.61-feet in one very long day...slept at 4,000-feet, started at 8,000-feet. Even with my knowledge through my Avy I Cert, and my great level of fitness, I still got sick. After 13,000-feet, each step was horrific, I was nauseous, had a headache...it was the worst. After reaching the top, I practically ran down that mountain. Would I do it again? Not in one day. I really didn't get to enjoy the scenery. The moral of this story is, it took me at least a week or more to recover. Wait to go back to A-Basin. It should be better in a few weeks anyways. Good luck and listen to raspritz, or any other M.D.
Go to http://www.alpineskills.com/ for more information.
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post #21 of 60
10/15/08 at 5:53pm
I've NEVER heard of this, but I have no doubts it is for real. Though I don't thik I've ever had that, I would have probably chalked it up to a hangover in younger days. Sounds like something Diphenhyramamine and/or Imitrex might help.
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post #22 of 60
10/15/08 at 7:20pm
Cold beer always kept me hydrated at 12000 feet. Try that.
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post #23 of 60
10/15/08 at 7:24pm
Do you get sea sick too?
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post #24 of 60
10/15/08 at 7:36pm
One run on the WROD + laying up like a gimp =
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post #25 of 60
10/15/08 at 7:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by switch.....to the road View Post
One run on the WROD + laying up like a gimp =

POTY right there.
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post #26 of 60
10/15/08 at 10:27pm
I had a friend staying with me, had never been above 4000 feet in his life, has smoked for 9 years and is not in the best shape. He gets drunk enough to have a hangover. I drive him up loveland pass once the hangover wore off, he decides to start hiking up on the west side. We kept going till we were looking in on loveland, he walks the whole thing like he is at sea level. I guess some people are just lucky.
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post #27 of 60
10/16/08 at 3:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hamme1ofdembeers View Post
Cold beer always kept me hydrated at 12000 feet. Try that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by switch.....to the road View Post
One run on the WROD + laying up like a gimp =
Quote:
Originally Posted by TitDeepBo View Post
POTY right there.
I see the Gnar has got some friends!
Welcome!!
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post #28 of 60
10/16/08 at 3:47am
Just curious, how high is Westminster?
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post #29 of 60
10/16/08 at 5:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by olylady View Post
A few years ago I climbed Whitney at 14,497.61-feet in one very long day...slept at 4,000-feet, started at 8,000-feet. Even with my knowledge through my Avy I Cert, and my great level of fitness, I still got sick. After 13,000-feet, each step was horrific, I was nauseous, had a headache...it was the worst. After reaching the top, I practically ran down that mountain. Would I do it again? Not in one day. I really didn't get to enjoy the scenery. The moral of this story is, it took me at least a week or more to recover. Wait to go back to A-Basin. It should be better in a few weeks anyways. Good luck and listen to raspritz, or any other M.D.
Go to http://www.alpineskills.com/ for more information.
My wife and I climbed Whitney a few (20) years ago in two days and had similar experiences. We spent the night in Lone Pine (9,000) before starting out. By the time we reached the camp at 13,500 it was all I could do to set up my tent and lay down. I couldn't even fight off the marmot that kept trying to get into our tent to steal the food out of my pack. My wife felt great and went to play in the snow up the slope. Big mistake. By evening she was so sick she couldn't even move. I remember looking up the steep snow covered wall we were going to have the climb the next day to get to the summit and thinking it was impossible. The next morning we had acclimated though and had no problems whatsoever, except for those darn Marmots who dragged my pack off that I had left off the trail on the way up.
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post #30 of 60
10/16/08 at 5:41am
I've always thought "The Darn Marmot" would be a great name for an apres-ski pub.
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