PeakRankings: Trips

[ChrisC]

It's a hockey stick if you extend the axis.

Almost 0% AMS until maybe 5-8k, then some rapid increase, and near 100% by 20k or so.

It might look different for the Nepalese population, or even a Colorado-only population.

 

[Tony Crocker]

Didn't know what to expect exactly, just that almost exactly linear was not it.

Strictly anecdotal, but it seems a lot of people have the reactions at 12,000 that I do. I don't think it;s coincidental that the the more responsible expeditions on Kilimanjaro ascend gradually to 12,000, then spend another day or two hiking laterally at that elevation before ascending further.

Symptom onset is usually 2–12 hours after initial arrival at a high altitude or after ascent to a higher elevation

I recall from 1980-1983 I would drive from home to the 7,700 foot Poopout Hill trailhead, put skis on a backpack and hike to over 11,000 feet on San Gorgonio. The hike took about 7 hours. Then I would ski down ~2,500 vertical in 45 minutes and hike an hour back to the car. If I got any headache it would be after I got down to the car. The peculiar symptom is that I would run a fever of 100F that evening but then be fine (if still tired) the next morning. I recall when Adam had the nausea after the July 2011 climb above Tioga Pass, I consulted CWHappyRN and she instructed me to visit Adam bringing electrolytes and take him to emergency in any of the 3 following scenarios:
1) Continued vomiting, inability to keep water/electrolytes down; that calls for IV hydration.
2) Fever over 100F. It seems that fever up to 100F is a natural defense mechanism to many stresses upon your body. Over 100F is a sign your body is not in full control of the situation.
3) She wanted me to talk to Adam and have him describe his day in detail. Incoherence, confusion, etc. is a sign to seek immediate medical attention.

With record to that hockey stick, I think I've read somewhere that the human body cannot acclimatize fully beyond 18,000 feet no matter gradually you get there.