Training for altitude

[Robert H]

I used to live in Colorado Springs, and upon moving there from a short stint in Oklahoma, I suddenly had to live at 6000 ft, a huge contrast to the living hell of Ft. Sill. Walking up stairs was a whole new experience. I recently had a call from a customer in the 10th mountain, who shared his experiences during Anaconda, where many patrols took place around 10,000 ft. Having the time to acclimatize is not only important but could save your life. Don't end up a casualty to that sort of injury. (Although now the 10th is training at sea level to fight again at altitude.) Not the most brilliant move, but it's the army after all. Here's a great shot of some boys in the harsh terrain of Afganistan. Isn't this where Kirk fought the Gorn?

 

[Ming65]

The interesting thing about performance at altitude is that none of the normal preparation works. The level of aerobic fitness you have at sea level will count for very little when you get near 10,000 feet. Some of the great soloists and mountaineers did very little aerobic training in preparation for climbs. Instead waiting until they got to the 'walk in' to acclimatise.

I seems like the main adaptation that people who are born and bred at altitude have is a more muscular bronchial tree, to create a pressure differential in the lungs so that the oxygen can cross into the blood. I've heard of plenty of climbers who trained like wild animals before going to Nepal - only to fall in a heap when they got there - and others who did very little training who excelled at altitude. I'd be interested to see if your mates who where in Afhganistan had similar experiences.

 

[Dean C.]

Robert, I am sure you are correct in this were Kirk found the ingrediants to make gunpowder and shoot the Gorn.
Again thanks for the info and help. Dean

 

[Robert H]

Get back to me on that info. There have been some new developments.

 

[Copis]

I live at 9,200ft and I ski anywhere from 11,000ft to 13,000ft. It does take getting used to it. A lot of people train up here (runners cyclists etc...)

P.S. Robert, thanks for the Nimarvus sheath!

Bill

 

[Robert H]

Your welcome, Bill. I did Pike's peak a few times, and got to enjoy it after a time. If I went back there now I'd probably die without a month of prep. I used to do that Iron Horse Week pike's peak run every year.