Altitude acclimization

[Ltdan]

Hello all. I am looking for some guidance for a trip I have planned.

Heading to Mt. Kilimanjaro in August and joining a group guided tour. Being from the midwest where elevation is non-existent, I plan to make a couple of trips to CO to begin some altitude acclimatization. Besides this, I will be looking into Diamox, vaccines, and other related precautions.

I have Breckenridge as my first target destination in mid-late July. Initially, no climbing and after a couple of days maybe take a lift up to 11k, depending on how I feel. Really playing it all by ear to see how the altitude effects me.

Again using precautions of a day or two of settling in, a 2nd trip to get to the upper reaches of the gondolas/lifts of 12k-13k. If I am up to it, attempt at Grays Peak or Torreys Peak since it appears close by to Breckenridge.

I have read the various precautions one should take, but do you recommend finding someone (who?) to hike Grays Peak or Torrey Peak with or is it something you can do on your own as long as you are equipped?

The trip and preparation by coming to CO will be epic! I am not too worried about the physical requirements, but from what I have read about Kili (19.3k) the altitude is the one of the biggest challenges. Will be an 8-day trip going up. And there should be some residual benefit with my CO visits. Fly directly from CO to Tanzania 1st of August.

Other suggestions for my CO visits? Conditioning. Conditioning. Conditioning.

TIA.

[sarahmariekirk]

Hi,

You do not need a guide for Grays and Torrey's - the standard route is a class 1 hike (https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=torr5). If you are interested in harder routes, look into the different route options like Kelso Ridge, some may feel more comfortable with a guide for that route.

I suggest doing some more hiking at a lower elevation like Herman Gulch to Herman Lake (on the way to Breck) or some other non-summit hikes to help with altitude adjustment also.

Good luck!

[SkaredShtles]

<snip> And there should be some residual benefit with my CO visits.

Don't plan on it, unless you're planning to spend *weeks* in Colorado.

[Craig Barlow]

There certainly would be benefits to getting acclimatized in Colorado before going to Tanzania but all the Kili itineraries (especially the 8 day version) are designed to get you acclimatized while you're there. I would bet that the vast majority of the people on the mountain have not pre-acclimitized and most will do just fine if they stay healthy and are fit enough.

Whatever you do, good luck! It's a great experience.

[greenonion]

There certainly would be benefits to getting acclimatized in Colorado before going to Tanzania but all the Kili itineraries (especially the 8 day version) are designed to get you acclimatized while you're there. I would bet that the vast majority of the people on the mountain have not pre-acclimitized and most will do just fine if they stay healthy and are fit enough.

Whatever you do, good luck! It's a great experience.

And you will actually acclimate there while going up over time. That’s basically what’s being said above. But yes, pre-work should help, and is of course fun!

[Istoodupthere]

I’m not sure you’re going to get any residual benefit by coming to Colorado unless it’s a day or so before your trip to Kilimanjaro. I live at 1200 feet and take about 8 or 9 trips a year to Colorado to hike and climb. I always feel like crap the first couple days. Not sick, just lethargic. I always feel better after spending 3 or 4 days at elevation.

[Scott P]

I agree that the acclimatization benefit wouldn't be much, but it might tell you how you react to 14K at least.

If you really do want extra acclimatization for Kili, climb Mount Meru (near Kili). It's around 15K.

Grays/Torreys might still be fun though, but be aware that they are crowded in summer.

[mtree]

Although you likely won't take any residual acclimation back with you, its good to know how your body will react to altitude. Hike up to Peak 10 or others in the area. Grays and Torrey's are good, too. I've had many friends hike Kili and they all said the same thing. You'll get acclimation to some degree while you're out there. Be in good shape and you should be fine. Guides will carry the bulk of your gear so won't need to worry about that. Its just a long hike with no air.

[desertdog]

Great you are doing coming to CO before Killi, if for nothing else than getting your mountain legs set. Any of the class 1 and 2 14ers will have plenty of people on them in summer, so you don’t need a guide as long as you pay attention to the route. Plenty of info on this site.

I’ve done a fair amount of high altitude climbing and here are some thoughts,

Show up fit. Start training now. While it does not guarantee anything, it is the one thing you can control. A lot of people underestimate what it takes. Especially on a relatively easy mountain like Killi, Check out uphillathlete.com for some good training info.

The effects of altitude is a moving target. It impacts people differently. Some people are much better than others and it can change by trip. I’ve had some trips where I’ve felt great and others where it’s kicked by butt.

As others have said the effects of going to CO won’t really last, but it will give you a feel for altitude and will help with your mental attitude.

The effects of altitude is not linear. It gets dramatically worse the higher you go. 14K is not that high. I would guess that with three or four days in CO a you could go to 14K without too much problem. For me I’ve noticed that anything above 20K a really begins to have a dramatic effect. Below that I’m just a bit uncomfortable. If you guide is doing a good job you will get acclimated properly.

Don’t try to be a hero. Take your time. Walk at “your pace”. Do not try to be the fastest or get into a competition with other members of your group. I’ve seen many people start out strong then crash and burn.Slow and steady controlling your breathing is the name of game.

I’ve used Diamox in the past but don’t anymore . Not sure it helps or is worth the side effects, but bring some.

Get your gear in order. Hands (gloves) and feet (boots) are critical. Most operators will give you a gear list. That’s great but I would also look at other guide services to see what they recommend. Also understand what works for you. We are all different. Killi should not be the first time you try out your gear. CO would be great for this. It’s taken me years of trial and error to get the kit that I now am happy with.

Expect to be uncomfortable.That is normal. A headache is common. You might not be hungry but force yourself to eat and drink at every break. Especially drinking water is critical.

Finally mental toughness is important. There will be times your mind will try to convince you to turn around because your body is uncomfortable. Listen to your body and understand the line between being uncomfortable and real altitude sickness. Most people are fine and make it up Killi.

Have fun!

[mtree]

Desertdog summed it up completely.

Now go scope out some fun Colorado hikes!

[Dan_Suitor]

I slept in a Hypoxico tent a full month before my Aconcagua climb (23,000’), and I live at 9,000 ft. It really made a difference, and we summited in 7 days. I believe this to be more beneficial than short visits to Colorado.

I agree with others, Grays/Torreys will have plenty of others present any day of the summer.

Good luck.

[KState14er]

Don’t waste your money and time coming out to Colorado. The residual extra red blood cells will have minimal affects for you considering the several days of travel and prep you’ll do in Tanzania before even heading up the mountain. The itinerary you choose is a long one and all big mountain itineraries are meant to help you acclimatize as you go, going higher and higher each day and sleeping higher and higher each day. Remember that most people around the world don’t live at high elevation and have no problems summitting big mountains.