A question about high altitude

[allyscharm]

Okay we arrived today at Keystone for vacation. We are planning on hiking up a 14,000 foot mountain Saturday. Tomorrow I am going to be doing my exercise challenge minutes riding a bike. I had asked for advice last week about food that I could take that was portable and I have a great plan. We went out for a steak dinner tonight and I am staying on plan easily.

My question...We were given a "High Altitude Health Tips" sheet when we checked in. Most are common sense but the last tip is

**Eat frequent high carbohydrate meals and limit fat and protein for several days**

I don't want to get mountain sickness but......

Have any of you ever heard of such a thing? Does anyone know why they are giving this advice?

[colleenieweenie]

I live in Colorado and train daily - Just be sure to drink A LOT of water - take some motrin. I have never heard of the advice you posted. It will be interesting to see if anyone else has heard of that one.
It took me a while to get adjusted to the altitude after I moved here. Take your climbing slow, listen to your body.

Enjoy your time in Keystone - it's beautiful!!

[SunnyB2]

I live in Colorado too, and I've never heard that one. Do drink *lots* of water. Take an aspirin to help with blood flow. Some say ginko helps with blood flow too. Eat what you normally eat. But if you can, put off your 14'er hike for after you've been here a few days. It's important to acclimate before you really take on a big hike like that. When I have out-of-town visitors we always plan the higher-altitude, more-exertion activities for later in the trip, when they've had a chance to acclimate.

[SunnyB2]

Do take altitude sickness seriously, though. Some people become quite ill from it. I might even skip the biking exercise today.

Oh, and enjoy our beautiful state! Isn't it wonderful?

[Lyssie]

I spent half my life growing up in Colorado and have never heard such a thing. I *do* admit I had altitude sickness once on a glacier when I was pretty young and it was *NOT* fun. Be careful and don't push yourself too hard.

[allyscharm]

Thanks for the responses. I have been drinking tons of water and I did take motrin but only because I had a headache..good thing I guess. I just back from my bike ride..omg. I THOUGHT I was in shape...well apparently not. I am impressed I didn't die.

I googled the high carb diet advice and I found several websites that give the same advice. I decided that since I have done this WOE for several weeks that my best bet was to stick to it. So far, so good.

We go up the mtn tomorrow and after the bike ride I am much more concerned that I won't make it. I can't let down the family so I am going to try or die trying. We arrived in CO Wednesday so at least I have had some time to acclimate (sp?)

thanks for responding

Lori

[SunnyB2]

>> I can't let down the family so I am going to try or die trying.<<

Well, unfortunately, a few people DO die climbing 14ers every year. So, seriously, don't push yourself too much. There no shame in not getting to the top. And bring some energy bars along. You can't necessarily keep to a very low-carb diet doing something like that. It's a BIG climb. I've done them before.

[allyscharm]

Well I can see why they do die...that was hard!!! I didn't make it all the way, DH GPS said 12,800 feet. I am not too disapointed though. My family couldn't do it either. I had to take lots of breaks and the higher we went the more breaks I needed. The trail was so rocky! I did end up buying an organic trail mix that was certainly more carbs than I normally eat but there was no added sugar and I thought that was a good thing. Thanks for all your words of wisdom...I thought about this board a lot on my journey. I could have never accomplished what I did today before I started working out and eating right. I look forward to getting the rest of this weight off!

[Tom]

I wouldnt worry about it. i have spent much time at high altitudes ( living at 10,000 feet ) and going up to 17,000 feet.

you will want a few days at higher altitudes to get aclimated to the high altitude ... otherwise I dont think there is much that you can do.

The south american indians drinks something called mate de coca ( which is a tea made from the cocaine leaves ) but I guess that option is off for you.

Also if you go to the doctors they can give you a pill to help with the zoroche.

[SunnyB2]

Hey, congratulations on getting to 12,800 feet! That is a very big accomplishment and you should be darn proud of yourself!