Preparing for high elevation jobs

[Vagabound]

As it turns out, it appears that I'll be camp-hosting in Colorado this summer.  Campground is at about 8,000 feet.  Although I've traveled a lot over the years, I'm a Florida boy who's spent the last 10 years at sea level, and the last four months at 3,000 ft.

I have done some reading on this, but have some questions about working at that sort of elevation for those who might know or have done so before.  

1.  Acclimation:  What is the best way to get acclimated?  In advance?  At the moment, I'm planning on a slow trip to the destination, staying a few days at some elevation in between.

2.  Working:  Any things I need to know about working at that altitude?  I'm thinking about physical exertion, etc.  I'm assuming that after a few days to a week at 8,000 ft., I'll get used to it.  Maybe it takes longer.

3.  Equipment / Tools:  Anything special to bring other than my solar-powered ear muffs? ;-)

4.  Stories:  If anyone has any interesting stories about working at high elevations, I'd like to hear them.  My only experience was getting snowed on, on Memorial Day weekend one year, at around 8,000-9,000 ft.  After hiking down, I discovered a warm, sunny summer day at about 4,000 ft.  That experience let me know that elevation makes things very unpredictable.

Thanks,

Tom

 

[caretaker]

what kind of fuel system do you have, carb, TBI, FI, but yes get their early.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Got no personal experience to share with you.  Can only suggest you review the info on altitude sickness, like this article:

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/tc/altitude-sickness-topic-overview#1

 

[jimindenver]

Altitude sickness passes after about three days. Working your way up is a good idea. Pace yourself while doing exertion. The lack of oxygen wears you out fast.

Bring your warm clothes.

 

[Stretch]

Yes, I agree - working your way up is a good plan. Don't underestimate the thin air. It's going to kick your butt when it comes to any physical exertion (even walking) and kick it harder than you imagine. Don't try to do too much too fast. 

The dry air will also be a shock to your Florida-moistened membranes. :shy: Chapstick and Vaseline will be your best friends. Put Vaseline right up your nostrils, but don't be surprised if you still get a bloody nose or two.

Edited to add: Bring layers!

 

[Queen]

I'll add to that list and suggest saline nasal spray too. When I moved from humid Illinois to high and dry New Mexico I had constant sinus infections until I started using that stuff.

 

[DuneElliot]

Sadly there is no way to pre-acclimate to higher elevation. Working your way slowly up there is a good idea and giving yourself a couple of weeks to acclimate to the altitude. Most people don't have problems at 8000 ft...it's up around 10/11,000 you tend to see more issues. Just try and build any physical exertion up slowly...don't overdo it. Heart attacks are not uncommon in that situation...too much exertion and not enough O2. It usually takes my parents, coming from sea level to 5200ft about a week or so to feel "normal". It takes them a week or so after that to be good at 8-9000ft when we go camping.

 

[bigsallysmom]

Drink more to stay hydrated. Then again thats a good rule for everybody.

 

[jonsun]

I didnt think it started until above 10k ft or so?

 

[highdesertranger]

1. work your way up over a period of time.
2. allow your body time to adjust at each step up.
3. don't over exert yourself until you have acclimated to the new elevation.
4. stay hydrated.
5. take plenty of breaks.
6. watch the UV rays, more UV at higher elevation.
highdesertranger

 

[gargoyle]

Take a week prior to working if possible. You may experience headaches and fatigue.
Do not drink alcohol, or cut back to one or two at first. The buzz will be amplified for a few weeks. If your used to a six pack a night at FL elevation, you'll be smashed at 8,000 feet.

Stairs and exercise will be tough for a few weeks. Get yourself in shape the best you can in FL. Get hydrated now and stay hydrated.

Your vehicle may run rough at altitude?

I worked in Keystone CO in '84. I was young and in really good shape. The first week or two in CO were a little rough. Stairs and walking wore me out quickly. A week or two get acclimated, and all was good.
Beautiful places to see and explore. Enjoy!

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Hey Tom,

I have been a mountaineer for 40+ years and have climbed to 23,000 ft.  I live at ~900 ft.

 . . .  Campground is at about 8,000 feet.   . . . spent the last 10 years at sea level, and the last four months at 3,000 ft.
 . . .  

1.  Acclimation:  What is the best way to get acclimated?
Best way to get acclimated is to go up in altitude.  Go slow.  Try not to go higher than 1500 ft/day above 5000 ft. (less is better).  Hard to do hiking, easy to do driving.

 In advance?
There are some medications that will help (e.g. acetazolamine), but I don't recommend them; the side effects are not pleasant.  If you have lots of money, a few nights in a hyperbaric chamber helps (never tried it).
 
2.  Working:  Any things I need to know about working at that altitude?
First few days suck; you will feel very out of shape.  Take it easy, do about 1/2 of what you would do at lower altitudes for the first week or so.  On the plus side, you will feel supercharged when you first get to lower altitude.
DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS!  It was pounded into me that my urine should be gin clear.  
Avoid alcohol; it dehydrates you, make you more susceptible to AMS and the symptoms worse.  
Avoid caffeine as it dehydrates you (if you must, drink extra water).

3.  Equipment / Tools:  Anything special to bring other than my solar-powered ear muffs? ;-)
You will not be generating as much heat so dress warmer.  It is likely that it will get below freezing at least a few nights.
Obtain and wear good sun glasses (preferably with side shields); thinner air = more solar radiation.  If you go onto a snow field wear glacier goggles; snow blindness is painful (you've sunburned your eyes).  
Always have bad weather gear nearby.  As you stated the weather changes very fast in the mountains.
Always have water with you.  Push fluids.  I find with a water bladder I drink more.  It is a good idea to put electrolytes in the water or eat snacks high in sodium and potassium (unfortunately, high in chocolate doesn't cut it).
Get a good book on mountain weather (I have an older copy of: http://www.mountaineersbooks.org/Mountain-Weather-P275.aspx)
Understand the symptoms of Altitude sickness: http://www.altitude.org/altitude_sickness.php  You should never see anything other than AMS at 8,000 ft, but know the symptoms of HAPE and HACE.  In 40 years I've only seen one case of HAPE and that was in an older gentleman at 18,000 ft who had multiple medical problems (that he didn't reveal to his guide).
Memorize the symptoms of hypothermia in yourself and others:  http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothermia/basics/definition/con-20020453  This you will probably see in someone in your campground.  Altitude makes it easier to get cold. 
Know first aid: http://www.mountaineersbooks.org/Mountaineering-First-Aid-P316.aspx and have a decent first aid kit.

4.  Stories:  Campfire material.  This is already too long and I probably have forgotten something.

 -- Spiff

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I thought I was immune to elevation. About five years I went to Denver to meet up with three of my friends that moved there a few years prior. We then hole shot it to Yosemite to do a ten day backpacking trip. They all laughed at me the entire way saying how hard hiking there would be for me coming from sea level in Boston my entire life. I led the group the entire trip, they were always lagging behind huffing and puffing like it was the end of the world. I still make fun of them for it.

Then a few years later I went to Breckenridge and walking up a few flights of stairs and I could barely breath. I think I did so good in Yosemite because I had been running daily for a year prior, when I went to Breck I wasn't in near as good of shape.


I think taking a leisurely trip out there adjusting at elevations on the way and you should be fine. It really hits you when you try and do physical stuff, mainly the same type of routine you could do at a lower elevation is much harder at the higher one. Take it easy the first week you are there, don't go on any long hikes or bike rides right away and before you know it, it will be like you're at sea level 8000 feet in the air.

Oh and congrats on the job! Should I actually make it out on the road this year, i'll have to plan a stop at your campground.

 

[rvpopeye]

If you have an air mattress , deflate it some before you start upping altitude or you will end up with a giant useless beach ball.
Keep an eye on tire pressure too if you inflate to max normally.

 

[highdesertranger]

haha popeye very true. watch your tire pressure too. highdesertranger

 

[MikeRuth]

Everything posted here is good advice. But I get the feeling your still a youngin...If so I'll just recant briefly my youth at 8K feet.

I would go up to 8K and camp for two weeks, the first few days were always the most active, excitement and all, we were hiking, riding our motor cycles and just out and out having a good old time and I never once really can say I experienced attitude sickness or anything else. Now those were years in my 20's and 30's.

As an old man, LOL hey I'm pushing 60 this year, I tell ya that going to that exact same spot was almost to much. I felt the effects of the altitude the very first day and sadly came back down after the second day as I had a nagging headache and I knew it was from that. It took a day below 3K to get the headache to go away.

 

[DannyB1954]

Odd as it seems, I seen a video on someone test driving a vehicle at about 13,000 feet. I think it was Top Gear in Bolivia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gear:_Bolivia_Special

They said that they had to take Viagra to help them with altitude sickness, (It also may have helped keep them from rolling out of bed at night).
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/06/060624120556.htm
http://articles.latimes.com/2004/dec/12/travel/la-tr-healthy12dec12
https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2011/01/17/will-viagra-work-for-mountain-sickness/
One explanation is it may increase the level of nitric oxide in the blood causing the blood vessels to open more.

Propane and Kerosene devices also may have a difficult time such as heaters. It may cause them to run rich, (because of thin air), this causes a poisonous gas, (Carbon Monoxide). Some manufacturers make high altitude kits, some do not. The higher you go the colder it gets at night. do a search on high altitude heater and be safe.

This one says it is good to 9,000 feet https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-F2...002QUZGS8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

 

[akrvbob]

I never found 8000 feet to be an issue. Spend a week at Sedona, (3000 feet), then a week at Prescott (5000 feet), then a week at Flagstaff (7000) and you won't give 8000 a thought.

 

[WalkaboutTed]

What not to do at 8000"

Set up camp
Go metal detecting right after setting up camp {while wife is getting irritated "you're doing too much)" )
Socialize with neighbors with alcohol and "medical" marijuana (wife says "you're going to get sick")
Start puking. (wife saying "I told you so")
Puke all night and when said wife couldn't keep a tablespoon of water down an hour,
Wife drives down from elevation
Miraculous recovery at 5000"

Husband agrees that he was a moron.
I love him anyway.

 

[Vanada]

I can only concur with what most others have said (I have experience up to 14,000ft).

If you don't want to slowly gain elevation you can go straight in at 8,000 but take measures to avoid altitude sickness. First two days, do nothing. Drink lots of hot/warm water. After that, take it slow and just ease into it. You'll probably notice yourself get out of breath easily when exerting. Make sure to be drinking at least 2 litres of water per day if not more. Hydrate as much as you can before sleeping because even if it means getting up at night to pee, that's better than waking up with a banging headache and spending the first two hours of the morning getting with it. That only happened to me camped at 14,000 though. 11,500 was no problem.

Should you become really sick, just go down. I'd consider that quite unlikely though unless you went a lot higher and started running around immediately.

P.S. Water takes longer to boil at higher elevations.