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Post by redhtbassplyr on Aug 7, 2018 12:20:07 GMT -8
I live at roughly 1200 ft above sea level and frequent the "mountains" that are around 3800-4500 ft at best. I'm flying to Salt lake City ~4200 ft arriving around 10 a.m. that day and driving to Grand Teton National Park over the next 5-6 hrs. Then trying to car camp the first night at somewhere around 7,000-8,500ft depending. The next day taking the tram up at Teton Village 10000 ft and hiking 5-11 miles depending on how we feel camping at around 9000-9500 ft. that night. With so little time to adjust I was given a Diamox prescription from my doctor 125mg twice daily starting day before accent. I figure once off the plane because I don't want to be getting up on the flight. I'll combine that with Ibuprofen 200mg three times a day and take and extra one if I get a headache. I'll over hydrate as well as soon as we touch down. Will this be enough?
Obviously, I'll turn around or stop if it's unsafe or I can't continue because it's too uncomfortable, but what are the odds that I'll be able to pull this off you think and be okay with that regimen?
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Post by msdoolittle on Aug 7, 2018 12:51:33 GMT -8
Altitude effects everyone differently. However, your approach seems to be good. I've known people to take Diamox and do very well with it. Definitely hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Maybe you'll want to come up with a Plan B, just in case.  Have a fantastic trip! |
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Aug 7, 2018 15:07:34 GMT -8
Altitude affects many people differently. Spending one night in the area, at 7K, should help. Hiking to Marion Lake right out of the Tram? No big deal, and if you or someone else in your group has an issue with headaches and sleeping, there is a nice valley right there where you can drop down a couple of K. As for hydrating, start now, or 2 weeks before the trip. It helps immensely. I think you'll be fine, if you are like most people. You may be over thinking it, but that is what planning is for. You don't mention if altitude has given you problems in the past. Really, that is not much of an indication, because some people react sporadically. Best of times to you, and anyone else you are hiking with.
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Post by redhtbassplyr on Aug 8, 2018 19:08:42 GMT -8
Trying to get to Fox Creek Pass or Death Canyon Shelf even. Yea, just trying to be prepared. Have been out there before, but never with only a day in between flying out and not driving. I could feel it going up North fork Cascade Right before getting to Solitude, but it wasn't an issue while resting at the top only when hiking uphill near in the last 0.5- 1 mile. I never took any ibuprofen or anything though before so I figure this gives me breathing room. I actually did a test run today with taking 1 Diamox to make sure I wasn't allergic because had never taken in a safe area and it was fine and side effects and diuretic effect were and will be bearable on the trip with keeping up with hydration. Thanks.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 9, 2018 10:19:14 GMT -8
I actually did a test run today with taking 1 Diamox to make sure I wasn't allergic Good plan. I was about to warn you that not everyone reacts well to Diamox. BTW, I've gone from sea level to 10,000 in a day and been fine, aside from mild headache. I've also done it at your pace and been sick as a dog. I'm not sure I'd take anything before I knew which way it was going to go, but that's a judgement call. |
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Post by plaidman on Aug 21, 2018 11:09:50 GMT -8
I have worried a lot about my (in)tolerance for altitude in the past, but two trips this summer put those concerns to rest. I tried Diamox on the first trip, but experienced strong tingling in my hands and fingers and very dry mouth and sore throat. I discontinued it after 3 days and found I didn't need it. Max elevations on that trip were 12,000', and the camps were 8,000' to 10,000'. The second trip started at 4,000 (trailhead at 8) and topped out over 14,000. I had Diamox in my pack, just in case, but didn't take any and didn't need it. I did have a rest day on Day 2 at 12,000', which made all the difference.
For reference, my O2 sats drop below 90% at 7,000' when I start from sea level in an airplane. Since most commercial jets are pressurized to 7 or 8,000' I get my money's worth out of the cocktails. ;-) Based on comparisons with others in the same conditions, I am officially an Oxygen Wimp. But I no longer worry about needing Diamox. Maybe if I make it to the Himalaya some day . . . .
Having gone from Jenny Lake up Cascade Canyon then over Hurricane Pass to Death Shelf in 3 days many moons ago, I distinctly recall being totally knackered on Day 2 and struggling to get to the pass. If I get to do it again, I'll take a rest day on Day 2. But you're starting at the tram, so maybe not so much climbing involved. What wonderful country!
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Post by redhtbassplyr on Aug 26, 2018 7:49:06 GMT -8
I'm feeling like I'll be fine more and more from what people say. I did try the dose I would be taking one day to get a feel for it. I was warned about the tingling in hands and feet, but instead had a little in my lips, nose and cheeks. I had a little dry mouth too, no sore throat. I also felt like I had taken a pseudofed or some kind of head decongestant. It wasn't bad , but it wasn't desirable either. I'm thinking I would be adjusted naturally after 2-3 days to the altitude and use this minimally for those 1-3 days and then stop. I could maybe reduce to 125mg only once a day and take a ibuprofen regularly every 8 hrs to probably achieve the same amount of prevention. Plus I might need that ibuprofen anyways due to soreness/pain.
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