Humphreys Peak, AZ
- Thread starter BajaTaco
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Scott Brady
Founder
Humphreys in a snowstorm is fun. The coldest temps I have ever recorded with my Kestrel. -60 with the windchill. :archaeolo
seth_js
Explorer
So how much different is hiking in elevation? I'm in really good shape. I jog or MTB almost every day of the week. But I don't do any hiking at those kind of elevations.
Is it something that just takes some getting used to? Should I try something a little lower first to see how I react to it? The reason I ask is because if I end up wheeling in Sedona on Saturday, I'm going to camp up on Schnebly, then head up to Humphreys on Sunday.
Is it something that just takes some getting used to? Should I try something a little lower first to see how I react to it? The reason I ask is because if I end up wheeling in Sedona on Saturday, I'm going to camp up on Schnebly, then head up to Humphreys on Sunday.
BajaTaco
Swashbuckler
Seth, I have been curious about altitude effects as well and the little bit of research I have done indicates altitude sickness is indiscriminate based on physical fitness. Scott told me about a trip he did where the most fit person in their group succumbed to the effects. So I think you just have to try it to find out how it will affect you. That isn't to say that there is definitely an advantage (and neccessity) to aclimitazation. If you allow your body to acclimate to higher altitudes gradually, you are likely to see better results and be less prone to the effects of illness. The rule of thumb is "climb high, sleep low". It is best to retreat to lower altitudes for sleeping over night. My guess is that if you get up to Sedona and get a little activity in, then sleep atop Schnebly, you will be acclimatizing, and will have a good shot at making it up Humphreys considering your physical conditioning. You will probably just have a little less breathing capacity then if you lived and trained at a higher altitude.
articulate
Expedition Leader
I'll bite.....what's the STORY?!?!?! Are you SAR?Hltoppr said:
About AMS (acute mountain sickness) and acclimatizing, I'm very prone to having troubles when I go up quickly. I've never had a "good" time going up Humphreys. I had a headache and an upset stomach every time I made that trek. Made me feel like a total pansy, too, thinking that I wasn't fit enough. I kind of blame it on living my whole life at 1100 feet.
Sometimes "the bod" doesn't like abrupt changes in altitude. What can you do? Snakes on a plane.
Mark
I think maybe he does a little espionage on the side too. 
Scott Brady
Founder
Altitude is a funny thing. When I trekked Whitney, there was a member of the group who literally could not stay standing above 13,000', despite being in excellent shape.
You should have an easy time on Humphreys.
Genetics, not conditioning determine your ability to manage altitude sickness and adaptation.
You should have an easy time on Humphreys.
Genetics, not conditioning determine your ability to manage altitude sickness and adaptation.
Hltoppr
El Gringo Spectacular!
Take it slow and you'll likely be fine. We're kinda in a monsoon pattern now, so I'd recommend an alpine start at about 0600-0630 to try and miss the thunderstorms that can whip up on Humphreys...70+mph winds and lightning aren't something you want to be involved with up above treeline.
Yup, I'm with the local SAR team, and get to do the mountain/tech rescue stuff as well...hence searching for bodies in Havasupai and Humphreys....
The past couple of times I've been spoiled and have caught a helicopter ride up to the Humphreys' saddle....otherwise I've hiked all over that mountain, and Fremont, Agassiz, Doyle etc. more than I can remember...
-H-
Yup, I'm with the local SAR team, and get to do the mountain/tech rescue stuff as well...hence searching for bodies in Havasupai and Humphreys....
The past couple of times I've been spoiled and have caught a helicopter ride up to the Humphreys' saddle....otherwise I've hiked all over that mountain, and Fremont, Agassiz, Doyle etc. more than I can remember...
-H-
kcowyo
ExPo Original
seth_js said:
articulate said:
Bajataco said:
expeditionswest said:
First of all - Chris, phat pics as usual. :bowdown: Whether in a white Taco or on white legs, I always enjoy your adventures!
Scott is dead on with what determines ability to adapt to high altitudes. However that doesn't mean articulate is a pansy with subgenetics. BajaTaco's comment that time to acclimate is your best bet is also dead on. That's the reason there are several camps at Everest, to allow time to acclimate.
So you're not climbing Everest, nor do you have a week to spend in Sedona or Durango to acclimate. As articulate asked, "What can you do?"
While living in Lake City, CO at 8800ft elev, I climbed four of the five 14ers in the county and worked as a snowmobile guide with some EMT training, but not SAR. I learned that two factors will help greatly improve your chances of avoiding the headache and queezy belly. One is time to acclimate, that has been mentioned. The other thing you can do, before even leaving your home at 1100ft, is to drink nothing but water for 3-4 days before your trip.
Altitude sickness affects are very similar to a hangover. Your body is dehydrated and that's where the headache and stomach problems stem from. If you can properly/over hydrate yourself before a climb or trip above timberline, you've significantly increased your chances of avoiding altitude sickness.
We would always tell people from Texas, coming to CO to snowmobile, that they needed to start pounding the water down for several days before they even left DFW. While not scientific, the Texans who experienced problems in CO, often admitted they didn't drink very much water. People who drank on the flight and spent the night before at Mammy's Whiskey Bar, often needed to be taken off the mountain early.
I have been very fortunate to never have experienced altitude sickness because I was told the secret about water. So Seth and Mark, drink up before heading up!
Hope this tip will help some of my fellow adventurers! :rappel:
S
Scenic WonderRunner
Guest
Someday.....
around a campfire......
I will tell you my story of when I was 17 and drove up from Phoenix to the "Snow Bowl" on the San Francisco Peaks to go skiing with family and friends..........and "Fainted" while standing in line at the lunch line. Flew in from Honolulu...sea level.....Phoenix/sea level.......Overheated indoor lunch line at the Lodge, from Zero to mile high in 2 hours=fainting spell!
This is when I began to study about altitude sickness!
around a campfire......
I will tell you my story of when I was 17 and drove up from Phoenix to the "Snow Bowl" on the San Francisco Peaks to go skiing with family and friends..........and "Fainted" while standing in line at the lunch line. Flew in from Honolulu...sea level.....Phoenix/sea level.......Overheated indoor lunch line at the Lodge, from Zero to mile high in 2 hours=fainting spell!
This is when I began to study about altitude sickness!
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