So I got divorced a few months ago and I'm now dating a woman who is an extreme athlete and loves to do active outdoors things for entertainment. I'm 62 and 187lbs and she's 53 and 140lbs and keeping up with her has been a little tough since she trains 6 days/week and sometimes twice a day with a personal trainer and does Crossfit competitions and can pick me up in the air like I'm a sack of groceries. She's an experienced hiker and me...not so much, but I am in pretty good shape from lifting weights several days/week, boxing class, dance class, and mountain biking. Anyway in July were going on a whitewater rafting trip in the Royal Gorge and hiking to the top of Pikes Peak the next day which is over 14,000 feet. We will be taking a shuttle down but any ideas on the best way to get in shape for that hike and altitude.
Hiking first time at 14,000 feet?
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Live at, and workout in high altitude. That's the only way to really acclimate yourself. As an alternative, LOTS of cardio...
Even living at 5000ft and being pretty active, the air is noticeably thinner above 10000ft. Coming from essentially sea level, it's going to be a huge jump for you.
Even living at 5000ft and being pretty active, the air is noticeably thinner above 10000ft. Coming from essentially sea level, it's going to be a huge jump for you.
THE PILGRIM
Member
As you probably know, you can drive up Pikes Peak.
Or take the Cog Train! Yes!
I have only climbed one Fourteener.
La Plata. Easy one it says in the 14 Book.
Its in the collegiate Range, West side of the Arkansas Valley, N Buena Vista.
We camped at about 10k.
Also recommend you exercise-condition long and hard.
But don't think you can acclimate to elevation without being at elevation.
Or take the Cog Train! Yes!
I have only climbed one Fourteener.
La Plata. Easy one it says in the 14 Book.
Its in the collegiate Range, West side of the Arkansas Valley, N Buena Vista.
We camped at about 10k.
Also recommend you exercise-condition long and hard.
But don't think you can acclimate to elevation without being at elevation.
Absolutely correct^^^. I believe it takes your cardiovascular system 72 hours to just adjust to normal processing after a radical change in altitude; I live at 6800' and walk at a measured pace even at 10,000-12,000 feet. We lose a few hikers and cross-country skiers occasionally to heart attack and stroke because they push too hard and overestimate their cardiovascular health. Altitude sickness is far more common; it's miserable, but not life-threatening.
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bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
When we were on top of Pikes Peak, we could barely walk and talk simultaneously.
My flatlander granddaughter hiked at that elevation in the Andes mountains of Peru. She needed bottled oxygen.
Your best bet might be to accidentally discharge a .22LR into your lady's knee.
Have fun.
My flatlander granddaughter hiked at that elevation in the Andes mountains of Peru. She needed bottled oxygen.
Your best bet might be to accidentally discharge a .22LR into your lady's knee.
Have fun.The last time I was at the top of Pikes Peak I was a lot younger than you, and probably in better shape. (Yes, I know what it's like to be 62. 
) I wouldn't even consider that hike without adjusting to elevation for a week. It was no fun for me just walking around the parking lot. 
) I wouldn't even consider that hike without adjusting to elevation for a week. It was no fun for me just walking around the parking lot. 
Done some bike racing at over 5000'. You need at least 3 days to acclimate- a week would be better. ( Your body needs time to make RBCs ).
Flying out from low altitude and going out the day later smacks of foolishness.
Flying out from low altitude and going out the day later smacks of foolishness.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Take lots of Excedrin with you 
Seriously, that much altitude difference in a day isn't just a matter of "being in shape", but you'd be a prime candidate for true altitude sickness.
A few decades ago, I spent summers working in a state park in the high desert at 8500 feet. My year-round residence is at 167 feet. Even though I was in reasonably good shape, it always took several days (and nights) of headaches and Excedrin to get acclimatized.
The worst experience which I still remember occurred when I was working in Death Valley (below 0 elevation) and for a free weekend drove into Utah, camping the first night at Cedar Breaks Natl. Mon., over 10,000 feet. I thought I'd die that night. Only time I ever threw up inside my truck.
So in summary, nothing to take lightly. People respond differently; your lady might be knocked out, and you could be fine. But don't count on that. If you want to be fine at 14,000 feet, take several days to elevate to that.
Seriously, that much altitude difference in a day isn't just a matter of "being in shape", but you'd be a prime candidate for true altitude sickness.
A few decades ago, I spent summers working in a state park in the high desert at 8500 feet. My year-round residence is at 167 feet. Even though I was in reasonably good shape, it always took several days (and nights) of headaches and Excedrin to get acclimatized.
The worst experience which I still remember occurred when I was working in Death Valley (below 0 elevation) and for a free weekend drove into Utah, camping the first night at Cedar Breaks Natl. Mon., over 10,000 feet. I thought I'd die that night. Only time I ever threw up inside my truck.
So in summary, nothing to take lightly. People respond differently; your lady might be knocked out, and you could be fine. But don't count on that. If you want to be fine at 14,000 feet, take several days to elevate to that.
At our age,you need a few weeks to acclimate to working out at 14,000 unless you're a hardcore aerobic athlete. Take plenty of water with you and if you start feeling woozy and sick turn around and head back down,even if she gives you grief ;-)
I would think a gradually increasing use of Cardio gear (Elliptical's, Treadmills, Bikes) to increase your endurance will help. I've hiked up Mt Charleston outside Las Vegas several times many years ago, and that's only 12K so not as bad. I did overeat at the top and blew chunks from Altitude Sickness...you might want to avoid that.
Best of luck....
This Flatlander is sucking wind for two days
on our Ruidoso visits.....while shopping.
This Flatlander is sucking wind for two days
on our Ruidoso visits.....while shopping.
Rpg
Member
Being in good shape in Oklahoma is a whole different thing than being in shape at 5,000-14,000 feet.
It's common for flatlanders to experience headaches, nausea and noticeable breathing difficulties here in Denver at 5,280 feet above sea level for the first few days. The second and third days seem to be the worst. Go 9,000 feet higher and you can get in real trouble.
Years ago, I guided big game hunters on horseback in our mountains (at about 9,000 ft.) We'd routinely see the flatlanders spend the second and third days of the hunt in camp instead of out on horseback hunting.
We always advised these folks to spend a few days in Denver to begin acclimating to the altitude. Most either didn't have the extra days to devote to acclimatize to the altitude or thought themselves too tough to need to acclimate. Most of these folks ended up in camp with nausea and headaches on the second and third day. We actually planned the hunt with those down days as part of our staffing and equipment.
Your best plan would be to spend a few days in Denver or Colorado Springs, then a few days in a mountain community such as Dillon (9,000 ft.) before you start your hike up Pikes Peak.
It's common for flatlanders to experience headaches, nausea and noticeable breathing difficulties here in Denver at 5,280 feet above sea level for the first few days. The second and third days seem to be the worst. Go 9,000 feet higher and you can get in real trouble.
Years ago, I guided big game hunters on horseback in our mountains (at about 9,000 ft.) We'd routinely see the flatlanders spend the second and third days of the hunt in camp instead of out on horseback hunting.
We always advised these folks to spend a few days in Denver to begin acclimating to the altitude. Most either didn't have the extra days to devote to acclimatize to the altitude or thought themselves too tough to need to acclimate. Most of these folks ended up in camp with nausea and headaches on the second and third day. We actually planned the hunt with those down days as part of our staffing and equipment.
Your best plan would be to spend a few days in Denver or Colorado Springs, then a few days in a mountain community such as Dillon (9,000 ft.) before you start your hike up Pikes Peak.
And drink lots of water. Been living in the Denver for over 37 years. Those first few months were a bear for me on outdoor activities. I'm 64 now and while I still get up in the mountains quite frequently I take it easy. No more hiking the 14ers for me.
I frequent the Breckinridge area most and do fine hiking around there but I've seen more than my share of flatlanders ending up needing emergency evacs or other medical assistance at altitude due to not being around long enough for their bodies to adjust as well as being under hydrated.
I frequent the Breckinridge area most and do fine hiking around there but I've seen more than my share of flatlanders ending up needing emergency evacs or other medical assistance at altitude due to not being around long enough for their bodies to adjust as well as being under hydrated.
An extreme athlete, works out six days a week and an experienced hiker? You, not so much?
What're you, nuts?
Take her to Maui, have her run a marathon while you bike beside her, and that evening sip on some mai tais over a nice steak dinner whilst admiring the sunset.
Hey, at your age you've got nothing to prove. Sounds like you are in excellent shape for your age. Don't set yourself up unnecessarily for a health and relationship crisis.
What're you, nuts?
Take her to Maui, have her run a marathon while you bike beside her, and that evening sip on some mai tais over a nice steak dinner whilst admiring the sunset.
Hey, at your age you've got nothing to prove. Sounds like you are in excellent shape for your age. Don't set yourself up unnecessarily for a health and relationship crisis.
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I'm up somewhere over a dozen of them, and I live in CO. If you're in otherwise good shape, you can nail the easier ones, just listen to your body. If you're out of breath, stop and wait for a few minutes, then push on, repeat as necessary. If you start feeling intensely lightheaded or develop a good headache, bail. Drink more water than you expect to need of course. Also, take the start times seriously. Get on the trail by four or four thirty, you'll have lots of company but it gets seriously awful with crowding later on, and you really do not want to be on the mountain when the afternoon summer storms come in.
You can also go on plenty of other Colorado hikes, still get a great workout, and stay under 13k feet and see incredible sights. 14ers are fun to cross off the list, and every CO tinder profile is required by law to have a pic on a summit, but they're crowded and often more fun in retrospect than they are at the time. That said, they are pretty. A few pics I have uploaded.
You can also go on plenty of other Colorado hikes, still get a great workout, and stay under 13k feet and see incredible sights. 14ers are fun to cross off the list, and every CO tinder profile is required by law to have a pic on a summit, but they're crowded and often more fun in retrospect than they are at the time. That said, they are pretty. A few pics I have uploaded.
As has been said, spending time at altitude is the only way to get acclimated. 14,000 feet is no joke. If you can't get to altitude to train, you need to work on cardio as has been said. Your lungs need to be able to scour every last bit of oxygen in the air and your heart needs to pump that oxygen thru your system. There are cans of supplemental oxy you can buy. Big5 has them I know, but if you need one, that's a sign to go back down. I would see your doctor, tell him your plans and see if he has any advice. Just remember, she may be a wonderful woman, but if she kills you, the relationship is over all the same.
OP
Gorgeous pics. I'm going with about 20 people from the Tulsa Ski Club on this trip and about 10 people are going to the top of Pikes Peak and many of them are women in their 60s. I'm really increasing my cardio on the stationary bike and stair climbers and we are going up a day and a half early. Should I try to go up the mountain a little bit the first day I get their? I drove a car to the top of MT Evans which is about 14K feet about 4 years ago and didn't feel a thing and I don't have any trouble scuba diving 130 feet deep if that has any bearing, but you guys have me pretty nervous.
Excellent advice on seeing your doc first.
Cardio can help some, but if you don't have the RBCs to transfer the oxygen there'll be trouble. Take time to acclimate- you'll actually enjoy, rather than survive, the hike.
Duplicate post.
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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.
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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