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I'll get on my unscientific acclimatization soap box. I treat acclimatizing as I would training, there is a stress to the body, and then a recovery period. As with training, I've found the recovery to be just as important as the stress/stimulus itself. That's why I am a firm believer in the "Russian rest," or train high, rest low. Stimulate the body up high, move lower in more O2 rich environment to allow your body to recover quicker.

palikona44 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 8:26 pm This is all interesting, thank you.

How long do you typically have to be at a certain altitude for it to help acclimate slightly? I.E. in prepping for a future climb to 13,900, if I go to 13,500 and sit for an hour up that high, will that do anything to help for the future climb?

yes.

Conor's training example is a good model and has worked well for me. i think the best method is to slowly acclimate over time.... and is better on your body in the long term.

I can only assume this thread is really supposed to be about elevation sickness.

We are "out of state" hikers so every time visiting we would drive to Mt.Evans on the next day after arriva. Justl walk out for 400 yards and drink tea somewhere on a talus near the top. Next day we would be doing some 13-er like one at Loveland pass. This year the road to Evans is closed according to authorities. What would local gurus recommend for easy drive to altitude place doing the first day of acclimatization (I really don't like Pikes peak but i guess might go there if nothing else).

There is nothing you can do to acclimate to high altitude in one day. What you CAN do is get your body to start adapting to the physiological stress high altitude will put on it. A quick hike the day before will help "wake up" your heart, lungs, and muscles before tackling a big hike. Plus, it'll help you prepare mentally for what's ahead. Driving to the top of Mt. Evans road and sleeping the night before does virtually nothing for acclimating. Its a placebo. Maybe you'll get the placebo effect, but that's all. Have fun!

ARY wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:39 pm What would local gurus recommend for easy drive to altitude place doing the first day of acclimatization (I really don't like Pikes peak but i guess might go there if nothing else).

You could just acclimate a bit at Loveland Pass by doing a short hike near the top, one of the 13ers or just hiking around for a bit.

I agree that one day of acclimatization hikes won't make much difference but if you respect your body limits it shouldn't hurt either. If that was your routine in previous trips, then most likely your body is able to acclimatize without noticeable side effects, but don't bet on it. Also if you drive to CO, your acclimatization is way smoother than if you fly here.

The people of the Andes swear by coca leaf tea to help with acclimatization. So if you believe them, try to procure some coca leaves.

A friend of mine came out from Chicago two days before we were trying to get up Notch a few summers ago but didn't drink much except whiskey before the hike. He got altitude sickness right before we got to the shelter.

ker0uac wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 1:49 pm The people of the Andes swear by coca leaf tea to help with acclimatization. So if you believe them, try to procure some coca leaves.

I know a guy.

Pikes Peak has a road to the top. Though I think most people are required to take a shuttle from Devils Playground due to construction at the summit. Alternatively the hike from Devils Playground to the summit is one of the easier 14ers and could be a warmup.

We always just drive to CO. It is exhausting enough but I feel better than the one time I flew to Denver. It usually takes a couple days for us to get ready for 13-14K hikes. It was kinda our tradition to drive to the Mt.Evans and spend a lazy day walking on talus up there then do the second day at Sniktau and move on. But this year tradition is broken due to Mt.Evans closed so I was wondering if there is a close driveable substitute. We will be base camping in Dillon. I'm not anywhere new to hypoxia. What we were taught in our boot camp is to supplement with vitamin C, iron, lots of fluid, potassium and magnesium but we usually sneaked out to get green apple, local herbs similar to spinach and pan bread with goat cheese. Vodka is OK but in a very small dose, hard pork lard works awesome but I guess one has to get used to it.

mtree wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:57 pm There is nothing you can do to acclimate to high altitude in one day. What you CAN do is get your body to start adapting to the physiological stress high altitude will put on it. A quick hike the day before will help "wake up" your heart, lungs, and muscles before tackling a big hike. Plus, it'll help you prepare mentally for what's ahead. Driving to the top of Mt. Evans road and sleeping the night before does virtually nothing for acclimating. Its a placebo. Maybe you'll get the placebo effect, but that's all. Have fun!

disagree strongly.

Going to altitude a day early before a climb WILL help. Will it fully acclimatize you, not at all. But it will help.

Driving to Evans/Pikes then right back probably has negligible benefit. Do it if you want (for reasons other than acclimating), and spend as much time up there as you can. A few hours, some benefit. Sleeping at 8-9k, definitely some benefit.
I've flown in from sea level, drove to the trailhead same day, and did Humboldt the next day. Definitely had a headache, both at night and also while hiking.

Haven't tried coca leaves but my guess is they don't help with acclimation but probably mask the effects.