Altitude Sickness Question

Info on gear, conditioning, and preparation for hiking/climbing.
Forum rules
  • This is a mountaineering forum, so please keep your posts on-topic. Posts do not all have to be related to the 14ers but should at least be mountaineering-related.
  • Personal attacks and confrontational behavior will result in removal from the forum at the discretion of the administrators.
  • Do not use this forum to advertise, sell photos or other products or promote a commercial website.
  • Posts will be removed at the discretion of the site administrator or moderator(s), including: Troll posts, posts pushing political views or religious beliefs, and posts with the purpose of instigating conflict within the forum.
For more details, please see the Terms of Use you agreed to when joining the forum.
coloradogirl31
Posts: 4
Joined: 5/7/2016
Trip Reports (0)
 

Altitude Sickness Question

Post by coloradogirl31 »

Yesterday I attempted Grays Peak. Right before the switchbacks I had to stop every minute to catch my breath. My legs felt fine, I had been drinking fluids the whole way up, no headache or nausea but some dizziness (no loss of balance though) I could not understand what was wrong...others seemed to be moving the same pace as I. On a time restraint, I had to desend. I am wondering if I was suffering from preliminary altitude sickness or perhaps was not physically fit enough? Would altitude pills solve that problem? Thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!
User avatar
TallGrass
Posts: 2328
Joined: 6/29/2012
13ers: 26
Trip Reports (0)
 

Re: Altitude Sickness Question

Post by TallGrass »

Lack of oxygen. I can get the same if I try to go at my "home" (1,000' elev) pace. No miracle pill.
"A few hours' mountain climbing make of a rogue and a saint two fairly equal creatures.
Tiredness is the shortest path to equality and fraternity - and sleep finally adds to them liberty."
User avatar
summitrunner
Posts: 1041
Joined: 3/19/2006
14ers: 18 
13ers: 2
Trip Reports (1)
 

Re: Altitude Sickness Question

Post by summitrunner »

Maybe? It could be a number of things. Has it happened to you before on hikes? Were you tired? Are you feeling sick?

As a runner, coach, teacher, and hiker I have a famous quote I like to use, "Sometimes it just isn't your day." Don't give up; that beautiful hunk of rock will be there tomorrow, and you will have another opportunity. Keep working on your craft and don't let setbacks get in the way.
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." PRE
User avatar
719BR
Posts: 488
Joined: 7/19/2016
13ers: 8
Trip Reports (0)
 

Re: Altitude Sickness Question

Post by 719BR »

coloradogirl31 wrote:Yesterday I attempted Grays Peak. Right before the switchbacks I had to stop every minute to catch my breath. My legs felt fine, I had been drinking fluids the whole way up, no headache or nausea but some dizziness (no loss of balance though) I could not understand what was wrong...others seemed to be moving the same pace as I. On a time restraint, I had to desend. I am wondering if I was suffering from preliminary altitude sickness or perhaps was not physically fit enough? Would altitude pills solve that problem? Thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!
there's not a whole lot of information in your post (no offense, just having no idea what your fitness level is), but in general, and i'll save you from me getting all science-y, no, "altitude pills" would not solve your problem. for a number of reasons. work on your fitness level and especially your cardiac fitness. i find the step mill and swimming especially useful (especially swimming, because it forces your body to become more oxygen efficient). and spend as much time as you can hiking to altitude, because there is a residual affect. heck, even sleeping at the trailhead the night before starts the acclimatization process.
User avatar
Mark A Steiner
Posts: 1006
Joined: 4/14/2008
14ers: 3 
13ers: 11
Trip Reports (0)
 

Re: Altitude Sickness Question

Post by Mark A Steiner »

When over 12,000 feet and before beginning a hike, I spend several minutes taking deep breaths at the high altitude. After beginning the hike I continue this process while hiking at a steady (not rapid) pace for up to 15 minutes. I am in no physical condition to set records or achieve multiple summits in a single day. But this seems to keep me going longer with fewer stops. Deep breathing helps provide oxygen needed for the entire body.
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content - Paul the Apostle.
Like it or not, I am a slow driver. Putt ... putt ... putt ...
Good day.
Sean Nunn
Posts: 857
Joined: 7/29/2013
14ers: 35 
13ers: 2
Trip Reports (0)
 

Re: Altitude Sickness Question

Post by Sean Nunn »

summitrunner wrote:Maybe? It could be a number of things. Has it happened to you before on hikes? Were you tired? Are you feeling sick?

As a runner, coach, teacher, and hiker I have a famous quote I like to use, "Sometimes it just isn't your day." Don't give up; that beautiful hunk of rock will be there tomorrow, and you will have another opportunity. Keep working on your craft and don't let setbacks get in the way.
+1. It could have been a lot of things. Unless it keeps happening over and over again, I wouldn't stress over it. The mountain will still be there next time you are ready to give it a go.
"Thy righteousness is like the great mountains."
Psalm 36:6
User avatar
sjverhaeghe08
Posts: 34
Joined: 8/14/2009
14ers: 24 
13ers: 1
Trip Reports (1)
 

Re: Altitude Sickness Question

Post by sjverhaeghe08 »

A similar-ish thing happened to me this morning while trying to get to the TH of Mt. Antero. I got a headache after about 40 minutes of hiking and it wouldn't go away, even after hydrating and eating a couple bites of a Clif Bar. I knew that it would only get worse as we ascended and so we turned around after only an hour of hiking. It stung, but after an incident with SAR last summer, I'm a little more level-headed now about being careful (possibly overly careful). I guess we both had off days this weekend!

Kudos to you for turning around--I know it's a hard thing to do, especially when you're that close. But like other people have said, the mountain will always be there, and it's not worth your safety and health to keep going when that happens.
"Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste; look well to each step; and from the beginning think what may be the end."
Edward Whymper
HannahBearCO
Posts: 38
Joined: 7/8/2013
14ers: 10 
13ers: 4
Trip Reports (0)
 

Re: Altitude Sickness Question

Post by HannahBearCO »

:-D
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Last edited by HannahBearCO on Mon Oct 30, 2017 12:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
appleseeds
Posts: 72
Joined: 6/14/2013
14ers: 28  1 
13ers: 25
Trip Reports (0)
 

Re: Altitude Sickness Question

Post by appleseeds »

HannahBearCO wrote: on the morning of take another ginkgo PLUS a 500 mg tablet of ibuprofen. take another ibuprofen on the summit. and one when you reach the car.
I use ibuprofen too but why take it when you're done hiking and back at the car??
User avatar
oh2co
Posts: 20
Joined: 3/10/2015
14ers: 20  4 
13ers: 15 4
Trip Reports (0)
 

Re: Altitude Sickness Question

Post by oh2co »

Could have been an off day? I personally have strong days and obvious days when I'm just not feeling fit to climb like I want. I examine the previous 24-48 hours prior to those off days to figure out what I did different (or rather, wrong).

Could be general hydration, diet the days leading up, and any slew of things. I regularly condition on Bierstadt due to ease of access form Denver, and just the other week having climbed 10+ times I felt worked, dizzy, and nauseous on the final summit push. A rest up top, gatorade/water combo, and food at the summit had me good to go, but still finished with an additional 20 minutes added on my ascent from normal.

Pills or other supplements I've not looked at, but then again have never had truly noticeable altitude induced symptoms to warrant the thought.

"It's like wearing skirts instead of trousers, it makes the wildlife nervous."


"If you really want to see the stars in all their glory, then you have to go out into the wilderness"
coloradogirl31
Posts: 4
Joined: 5/7/2016
Trip Reports (0)
 

Re: Altitude Sickness Question

Post by coloradogirl31 »

Thank you all for your encouragement and advice! It did sting to turn around but I am already looking forward to another attempt in a few weeks. Its so nice to hear from fellow mountain lovers. Thank you for your time again. :) pleasant journeys to you all.
User avatar
jdorje
Posts: 1387
Joined: 6/16/2010
14ers: 12 
13ers: 27
Trip Reports (16)
 

Re: Altitude Sickness Question

Post by jdorje »

Being out of breath when confronted by low oxygen content air isn't the same as altitude sickness.

You certainly do not want to take ibuprofen if your issue is being out of breath. Ibu is for muscle inflammation, and will only hinder your athletic performance. Take it when you're back at the car if you think you will feel inflamed and sore the next day. Or better, just go walking the next day and heal on your own.
"I don't think about the past, and the future is a mystery. Only the present matters."