Being nervous is good. Just know your body isn't functioning normally for at least 3 days at higher altitude. 130' under water requires time to come up, and you have plenty of O2 in your gear. The effects are extremely dissimilar.
Hiking first time at 14,000 feet?
- Thread starter Farmer17
- Start date
Driving a car takes little effort or oxygen and scuba diving has O2 levels much higher than the air at 14000 feet. The main thing is the lack of O2 in the air. Sea level readings have over 20% O2. At 14000 it's down to 12%. OSHA requires supplemental O2 at 19.5%.
Walter Rego
Member
I moved from sea level to 6100 feet a couple of years ago when I retired. It definitely takes some time to get acclimated. I hike the local trails but take it easy and stay away from the ones that are marked "advanced" on the trailhead signs.
When I was in my late twenties I often hunted above 8000 feet and that was pretty strenuous even at that age.
As far as hiking to 14,000 feet goes, I wonder if your girlfriend may be underestimating her own ability and may bring you along for the disaster ? Even if she is as fit as you say, that's going to be some hike.
When I was in my late twenties I often hunted above 8000 feet and that was pretty strenuous even at that age.
As far as hiking to 14,000 feet goes, I wonder if your girlfriend may be underestimating her own ability and may bring you along for the disaster ? Even if she is as fit as you say, that's going to be some hike.
I was stationed in Key West a couple of times, lived about a half mile from Solares Hill, elevation 17 feet. Then I went out to sea, on an aircraft carrier. Elevation of flight deck, about 62 feet. Took a while to get used to it.
Rpg
Member
There's a huge difference between driving a car to 14,000 ft and hiking up to that altitude: what you can do sitting in a car as opposed to what you can do on your feet. The more time you can spend acclimating before your death march up the mountain, the better.
Scuba diving to 130 feet presents the opposite situation to hiking at 14,000 ft and has no bearing on high altitude: the deeper you dive, the more air (and oxygen) you inhale with each breath because the air is compressed by the water pressure. That's why your tank of compressed air will last 40 minutes at 20 ft and only 10-15 minutes at 100+ feet. The higher the altitude, the less atmospheric pressure so the air is 'thinner' as you go up: there are fewer molecules of oxygen for each lungful as you go higher.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Keep in mind it's NOT just a matter of "feeling" it. Hypoxia can be impacting you while impaired judgment prevents you from recognizing what's happening.
In unpressurized airplanes, the FAA requires private pilots to use oxygen if flying more than 30 minutes above 12,500 ft. and continuously if above 14,000 ft; above 15,000 all aboard have to have oxygen. For good reason. And those are all people who don't exercise at all and just sit there comfortably.
Past performance is also no guarantee for future success. I've summited Mt. Hood (11,249 ft) many times without trouble, but after several successful climbs I had to abort one at the 9000 ft level and descend because out of the blue I got hit with a nasty attack of altitude sickness.
Sorry if this scares you, but this is the reality out here in the Mountain West and if you spend most of your time in the largely flat Midwest, this can ruin your trip if you don't take it slow.
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Altitude sickness is unpredictable. I live at 6000' but have spent a great deal of time up high,skiing,biking,snowshoeing and hiking and I'd say I've had it 4-5 times over 40 yrs,all you can do is head down if it happens,it won't get better if you push on. If you happen to have an undiagnosed heart condition-all bets are off.[emoji15]
Edit: What absalom said about hypoxia is very true. With that and/or hypothermia the first thing to go is the ability to think clearly and the tendency is to just keep on slogging
Edit: What absalom said about hypoxia is very true. With that and/or hypothermia the first thing to go is the ability to think clearly and the tendency is to just keep on slogging
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Could be she wants your inheritance. Be careful at that altitude.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I just looked through some descriptions of the Pikes Peak hiking trail. Here is a typical highlight:
"Hiking Pikes Peak is not for everyone
We never want to discourage anyone from pursuing their dreams, but we definitely want you to be prepared for the type of challenge this is. It's a long, hard, 13.5-mile climb uphill with a gain of about 7,400+ feet in elevation. Basically, it's a half-marathon in hiking form. Please only attempt hiking Pikes Peak if you are healthy, able to hike long distances, able to navigate difficult terrain and able to perform high-cardio activity with low oxygen. If you think you fit that bill, here's a look at the journey!"
Judge for yourself.
"Hiking Pikes Peak is not for everyone
We never want to discourage anyone from pursuing their dreams, but we definitely want you to be prepared for the type of challenge this is. It's a long, hard, 13.5-mile climb uphill with a gain of about 7,400+ feet in elevation. Basically, it's a half-marathon in hiking form. Please only attempt hiking Pikes Peak if you are healthy, able to hike long distances, able to navigate difficult terrain and able to perform high-cardio activity with low oxygen. If you think you fit that bill, here's a look at the journey!"
Judge for yourself.
I'd drag out the old mountain bike and ride for a good fast paced hour a day for six days a week until you go on this trip. (Several months would be better).That will help a lot
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LVSteve
Member
When I went to the Great Basin National Park in 2000 there were a bunch of signs at the top car park advising that you NOT try and hike from there to the top of Wheeler Peak, 13,063', unless you have spent a night or two at the campsite. IIRC the car park was at about 11k and had about three tiers on the slope. I walked down a level to use the restroom and back up and the air was definitely a bit thin. At the time I frequently worked above 6000' without noticing a thing, but that was over 20 years ago. Who knows now.
Hiking at 14,000 Feet
Farmer17,
Not one word of sarcasm here. I have read all of these posts and I am surprised that no one has recommended consulting with a physician and a cardiologist before you attempt this venture. From my flying days oxygen is required above 10,000 feet. Hypoxia can be fatal and it can come on fast. Dysbarism is a related risk
As has already been stated, being in excellent shape at sea level cannot be correlated to any activity at 14,000 feet.
Good luck, compadre!!
Bill
Farmer17,
Not one word of sarcasm here. I have read all of these posts and I am surprised that no one has recommended consulting with a physician and a cardiologist before you attempt this venture. From my flying days oxygen is required above 10,000 feet. Hypoxia can be fatal and it can come on fast. Dysbarism is a related risk
As has already been stated, being in excellent shape at sea level cannot be correlated to any activity at 14,000 feet.
Good luck, compadre!!
Bill
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It has already been reccomended he consult his doctor in this thread.
My wife and I rode the Cog Rail to the top of Pikes Peak and she got sick and disoriented. Neither one of us had ever heard of altitude sickness and we didn't know what was going on and it scared both of us. Larry
You've already heard it and I'm going to reiterate it:
Get acclimated before attempting this hike.
I've lived here over 40 years and have completed my share of summited 14ers hiked. I have also summited Mt. Evans by bike numerous times.
I have worked many cycling events in the high country over the years -- think Ride The Rockies -- and have seen some pretty bad things happen to people who didn't heed the advice you're getting here.
Don't be a statistic.
One thing sorta mentioned above but I'm saying in detail: if you do press on with your adventure, preferably in a properly prepared fashion, be off the summit by noon at the latest. Lightning risk is significant. Punch "lightning on a 14er" into Youtube for some hair-raising (heh) examples.
Good luck and stay safe!
Get acclimated before attempting this hike.
I've lived here over 40 years and have completed my share of summited 14ers hiked. I have also summited Mt. Evans by bike numerous times.
I have worked many cycling events in the high country over the years -- think Ride The Rockies -- and have seen some pretty bad things happen to people who didn't heed the advice you're getting here.
Don't be a statistic.
One thing sorta mentioned above but I'm saying in detail: if you do press on with your adventure, preferably in a properly prepared fashion, be off the summit by noon at the latest. Lightning risk is significant. Punch "lightning on a 14er" into Youtube for some hair-raising (heh) examples.
Good luck and stay safe!
vonn
US Veteran
It sucks getting old but dying climbing up will be painful!
My math skills may be rusty, but I calculate that as an average grade of 10%. For 13.5 miles. If you can find a treadmill that can do a 10% slope, walk 13.5 miles on it. As you go farther have someone gently strangle you, getting tighter as you go. Have the temp fluctuate and throw in wind and rain. Occasionally set off a fog machine. And after all that, go stand next to your car in the parking lot. Because you can drive there. I'm not saying don't do it. You have to make the decision yourself, but it isn't like walking the same distance on a flat paved trail in good weather. Do the research and decide if you want to participate in this one with her, or be her cheerleader for this one.
Old Arkansawyer
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Does your girlfriend have a life insurance policy on you? Sounds like she
is trying to kill you.
is trying to kill you.
There's no fool like an old....
Go for it, we'll be anxiously waiting to see if there's an update.
Go for it, we'll be anxiously waiting to see if there's an update.
It's worth noting that women over 62 outnumber men by 29 million to our 23 million.
