Dealing with Altitude

[Will]

How well you acclimatize can be largely genetic. Some people do it well, some people do it poorly. But you can help your body hit its max performance by doing what other people have suggested.

1) Drink, drink, drink, drink (water)

2) No booze

3) Eat, eat, eat - you need energy. I'm sure you're supposed to avoid fats or something, but the most important thing is that you choke down food like its your job. Especially if exercising.

4) Take it easy for a day or three every time you hit a new altitude above 9,000 feet.

5) Exercise with a heart-rate monitor. I've actually heard that the level of exertion which improves altitude performance is not balls-to-the-wall panting and wheezing, but rather extended time holding a pace where you can just barely hold a conversation.

Listen to your body like mad, everyone is different. I've seen folks that after a week at 10K+ cannot handle 15K without problems. I've seen other folks that after 2 days at 10K, head up to 17-20K without a care in the world.

[XtrPickels]

There is not a lower % of oxygen in the air at altitude, there is less atmospheric pressure. So his suggestions make since, kind of.

The percentage of oxygen remains constant thoughout all altitudes, about 21%.

This is correct.
Seeing as though the partial pressure is lower, it messes up the diffusion into your lungs.

EPO

Seeing as though its completely legal outside of sporting events, see if your doc will prescribe some for you. Probably depends on your relationship/how cool/how understanding they are, but that will make a serious difference. Its also relatively safe if you don't over do it and turn your blood into 10w40.

[Chainsaw_Willie]

Thanks for all the input!

I wish I had more time to get used to the elevation, but it's just not going to happen. I'll be staying down near SLC while skiing at Snowbird during the 2nd Maggot camp in Feb, so I'm pretty sure that's going to be three intense days of skiing. At least I'll be sleeping at a lower elevation. Want to make sure I get the most out of it and enjoy myself to the max.

So let's see here:

* Ginseng (Siberian if possible)
* Hydration
* Eat well
* Sleep well (don't think that'll be a problem)
* Humidifier
* Moderate booze intake (dammit!)
* Small dose of aspirin
* Coca leaves
* Lots of sex
* Give up butts for hash
* Supplement calcium, C & D vitamin intake
* "Altitude Adjustment" herbal supplement
* EPO

If I can substitute blow for coca leaves and take care of the sex with hookers, most of the rest should be doable. How hard is it to find hookers, blow, and hash in SLC?

[MeatPuppet]

* "Altitude Adjustment" herbal supplement

One more thought: Make sure this "herbal supplement" doesn't contain epherda(the Chinese name is ma hung). If it does, you will have to choose between it and the ginseng as they contradict each other. Ephedra also contradicts caffeine so no coffee if "Altitude Adjustment" has ephedra as an ingredient and you choose to take it.

Unless you have a preexisting condition, none of these combinations(in moderate doses) are going to kill you but they will be very counter productive and you might wish you were dead by the end of the first day.

[iceman]

Eat a handful of aspirin and don't drink the first day, chug water and get a humidifier in your room, you'll be fine.

[kidwoo]

Eat a handful of aspirin

Okay maybe you know..........what does this do?

[warthog]

i'm pretty ridiculously fit (can run a 5:00 mile)

C'mon dude- everybody knows Ultimate is a hippy stoner game. No real athlete would play that silly sport.

[Chainsaw_Willie]

On the aspirin thing - I'm only guessing here but aspirin is a blood thinner. By thinning your blood you make it easier for your heart to pump it, which I believe is why it's recommended to help with heart attacks. If your heart can pump blood easier, then it should be easier to circulate oxygen throughout your body, somewhat making up for the fact it's harder to get oxygen into your body in the first place.

Heck, aspirin is one of the safest and oldest drugs used by man. Even if it doesn't help, I sure don't see how it can hurt. If nothing else, it'll help ease the aches of a hard day of skiing.

[Benny Profane]

Go to Whistler.

Seriously, and for the same reason, try staying in SLC proper instead of up in the mountains.
Sleeping at a lower altitude helps a lot.

[carl jay]

You'll want to start having sex at least once a day three days before your trip. Then when you arrive at your destination plan to have sex at least twice a day, preferably after a nice soak in a hot tub with a bottle of champagne, untill you head back down to sea level. I can't guarantee that it'll help with the effects of altitude, but it will certainly make you care a lot less about them.

hahahahah

[hutash]

I agree with all the hydration info, before, during and after skiing. If possible don't do anything the first day and night. The next day ski easy and drink plenty, after that knock your self out. We are all different in how respond to altitude. I rarely have problems going from sea level to 11,053 feet, and skiing hard all day, except the occasional headache, others would be could be in full p blown altitude sickness.