Trail Tip 19 – Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness

[Aaron Zagrodnick]

When traveling at higher altitudes, the body has the ability to adapt to its new surroundings. However, the inability to adjust to a lower concentration of oxygen in the air is called altitude sickness. This reduction of oxygen is due to the lower barometric pressure that is encountered as you ascend from sea level. Most healthy adults living at sea level will feel a difference beginning around 6,000-8,000 feet above sea level. As you increase in altitude above this, symptoms will become more pronounced unless you allow yourself to adapt, referred to as acclimatization…

Ted Ehrlich with tips on altitude and dealing with acclimatization, check out the full tip in Issue 19:

Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness

Issue 19 Page 1

[Hiker 57]

Good link for basic information re: Altitude Sickness

http://www.healthline.com/health/acute-mountain-sickness#Overview1