Altitude

Tom RaderStaff - June 1, 2021

Altitude illnesses are all caused by a change in air pressure and the actual concentrations of oxygen. The air we breathe contains about 21% oxygen, e
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Very good explanation of this topic!

On minor point to add: While for many problems it is helpful to be young and in good shape it seems like this does not really reduce the risk of Altitude Sickness (based on information I got from current literature about the topic). 

One guy from our area here was a young and extremely fit Karateka who died because of it in a high of about 5.000m on the other side I know guys in their 60s who go to this high every year (I know that proofs nothing as the sample size is too low – but it somehow is not unexpected based on the current state of knowledge).

Final Note:

One of my Mountain trainers alway has a medicament against serious mountain sickness in his back when he lead group above 3000m. Sadly I can not tell what it is and how effective it is.

 

That would depend on your definition of “good shape”. Athletic individuals typically have higher red blood cell counts due to their exercise versus sedentary individuals. This increased red blood cell count is precisely the thing that makes athletic people tend to acclimate more quickly to higher elevations. Of course, like all things, it isnt a simple switch more than a shift of the bell curve.

 

I did an experiment once where I had a blood test after being acclimated at sea level for a few months, then another test a month after coming back home to Colorado at 9,000 ft (where this video was taken). My red blood cell concentration doubled in that month, as the body’s way of reacting to the stress. 

When we climb 14’ers (> 4,250 m), it’s very common to see grandparents in good shape running up to the top without a problem, while a “healthy” young person is huffing and puffing, struggling to walk a few steps. Like many health things, it just comes down to genetics and exercise.

 

Hi John Mocuta,

of course a fit person is able to better adapt to changing environmental conditions but at least according to what I learned about HACE in mountain climbing books and trainings it is not directly related to the likelyhood to suffer from it.

Genetics seems to play a more important role. But I’m not a medic so I did not check this statements (maybe I can check for sources). At least one should be aware of it and doing proper acclimatisation and responding to early since instead of feeling undestroyable because of beeing fit and young.

Fit, Good Shape means for me a person who is doing endurance on a regular base with an level above the average.