techboy Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 Just wondering if you guys think this would be a waste of time: Day 1. Hike up to Camp Muir at 10000' and spend the night Day 2. Descend, drive to Mount Adams, spend the night at ca 6000 ft at High Camp. Day 3. Climb Adams. The pertinent question is, will this give even a modicum of acclimatization for the 12000 ft altitude we're shooting for? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpongeBob Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 If your going to hike all the way up to muir , why not continue on up to the top? If you feel the need to acclimatize on adams just climb 1/2 way up , bivy,rest ,carry on to the summit . After all its only 12,000 ft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techboy Posted June 17, 2003 Author Share Posted June 17, 2003 'cuz altitude kicks my azz. Climbed Shasta few weekends ago (Hotlum-Bolam route) and it took everything I had to get back up and down. Spent one night at 9750' before climbing. . I DON'T want a repeat of that experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpongeBob Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 then by all means take your time . why not go up the south spur? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figger_Eight Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 Why don't you bivy on the ridge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 Adams is 12,000 feet high, but you do not spend enough time at high elevation for most people to become ill. Yes, I know that some folks feel symptoms as low as 8,000 feet and maybe lower, and I know that there have been cases of cerebral edema at elvations no higher than Mount Adams, but you can easily climb Adams in a day or, if not, the typical north side basecamp is at somewhere around 6,000 feet and although I am sure it has happend to somebody, I have never heard of anybody suffering significant symptoms at that elevation. I have altitude issues when climbing Mount Rainier, but have never had any trouble on Adams. By the way, some folks complain about the garbage rock on the North Ridge, but I think it is a good choice. I also have enjoyed the Lava Cleaver and the Northwest Ridge, though both have quite a bit of crappy talus and more exposure than the North Ridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leejams Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 Drink water till it comes out your ears. Works for me every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryland_moore Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 The best way to not feel bad at "altitude" in the lower 48 is to get in better shape. Yeah, you may feel some slight AMS symptoms at 10-12k, but it is not like you are moving there. You cannot acclimate to the elevation in such a short period of time. Since you are having a little trouble with the altitude, I'd reccommend going up to the trailhead late on Friday night and sleeping at a few thousand feet, then going up to high camp, on Saturday and summitting on Sunday. Or you could spend two nights at high camp, which is more than enough. 12,000' is not very high, and like others have said in this post, there are documented cases of pulmonary edema and thelike at these elevations, but they are very rare. Train a little harder, pace yourself (ie. move slower), add a little presssure breathing, and drink a ton of fluids. Why go to Muir if you are trying to climb Adams, just go to Adams instead! If you are still sucking wind and feeling like crap, then I would suggest a little more time in the gym. Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 I second lee's advice, I even heard an old cowboy in Montana talking about green-horns having to drink a lot of water to avoid headaches when first working in the high country. Drink till it hurts and eat high carb foods. Gator suggests taking one asprin 3 times/day to help keep your blood thin and assist in acclimazation. I have made a practice of doing this on Rainier and very rarely feel any altitude, although I'm sure I'll get nailed on one of these trips. Of course he also said Dan - set a speed record on Mt. Rainer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpt.Caveman Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 The pertinent question is, will this give even a modicum of acclimatization for the 12000 ft altitude we're shooting for? Just run 2 miles a day and smoke camel non filters while running. That's the best acclimitization for anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregm Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 techboy, water, asperin etc are all good suggestions, and yes i think there is some validity to your plan of pre-acclimating, as i have heard some doctor dude who does altitude research say it works. if you wanted a summit instead of muir you could climb baker, although i guess that wouldn't mean spending the night up there but you could if you wanted and i think that would be cool to spend the night on top. i skied the standard coleman route a couple days ago and it is in great shape. you could get down baker in a whiteout almost as easily as muir if the weather went south while you're up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 leejams said: Drink water till it comes out your ears. Works for me every time. Ask your doctor for a presciption for Diamox. And drink water until it comes out of your ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa_Eagle Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 and there's always Gingko... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figger_Eight Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 Or just breathe faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegetablebelay Posted June 18, 2003 Share Posted June 18, 2003 Diamox will make the after-climb beer taste like shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrible_ted Posted June 18, 2003 Share Posted June 18, 2003 The biggest advantage to Diamox (Acetazolamide) comes when sleeping at altitude. Essentially, it makes you breathe more during a period of time normally associated with low respiration. You then start the day at a lower oxygen debt than you would otherwise. You'll need to drink even more water to counter the diuretic effect. It will only have a marginal effect on a short climb like Adams. Many people have allergic responses or other contraindications. Try it out at home before you rely on it in the field. Better yet, save it for Denali... -t Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techboy Posted June 20, 2003 Author Share Posted June 20, 2003 Thanks guys! I'm kinda liking the 2 miles run + cigs suggestion...I will try it out and let u know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted June 21, 2003 Share Posted June 21, 2003 You can kill or injure yourself by drinking too much water. "Water intoxication" from dangerously diluted blood serum levels is injuring more and more people every year as more and more idiots follow the 8 LITERS OF WATER EVERY DAY recommendation invented as a marketing ploy by Evian. Beer will keep you from overhydrating. Have one now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyclimb Posted June 21, 2003 Share Posted June 21, 2003 I usually take a toilet paper roll and steam roll an ounce the week before the trip. I then give myself two days to let my lungs start to work again, and it is amazing. It is like training with a 55 pound pack, and then going to a 25 pound pack for the climb. REMARKABLE!! Patent pending Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshK Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 Dru said: You can kill or injure yourself by drinking too much water. "Water intoxication" from dangerously diluted blood serum levels is injuring more and more people every year as more and more idiots follow the 8 LITERS OF WATER EVERY DAY recommendation invented as a marketing ploy by Evian. Beer will keep you from overhydrating. Have one now! 8 liters!? Holy shit, that's a huge amount of water. I can't imagine forcing that much down me in a day. Also, anybody else notice how absolutely terrible Evian tastes? I will drink any water from a bottle cause I think they are all about the same with the exception of evian, it tastes horrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fence_Sitter Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 Dru said: Beer will keep you from overhydrating. Have one now! will do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelawgoddess Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 JoshK said: I will drink any water from a bottle cause I think they are all about the same with the exception of evian, it tastes horrible. it tastes better in europe. sucks here for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fence_Sitter Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 i cant tell a difference...its freaking water! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryland_moore Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 Bottled water is simply tap water from some random municiple water supply. Just read the labels. Most of the companies are owned by Coke and Pepsi anyways. Pull the wool off from over your eyes and quit paying a $1+ for 20 oz. of municple waterr that costs you a penny from your tap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodchester Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 Quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dru said: Beer will keep you from overhydrating. Have one now! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- will do! Bottled, canned, keg..whatever!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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