A mountain is a special place that creates its own unique environment and comes with incredible views. Many an individual has been inspired by its majesty and shear magnitude. Many great thinkers of our time have sought its peaks for inspiration and solitude, everyone from spiritual leaders, writers, artists, scientists, and even the individual adventurer. In the ancient times young boys where often sent off to climb one for a vision quest or a right of passage to manhood. They just seem to hold a unique presence in our lives. As for myself, ever sense I was a little kid I've been drawn to the Mountains and whenever I see one I just have to climb up it. It didn¡¦t matter if it was big or small, I just needed to go up it. Now, because of this instinct or infatuation there are a few things I've learned along the way which I would like to share with you. Here¡¦s a few things you should consider when traveling in the Mountains: „h Oxygen pressure decreases ~ 3% per 1000ft. gain. „h Ultraviolet sunlight increases ~ 5% per 1000ft gain. „h Temperatures cool ~ 3.3 to 5.5 degrees per 1000ft gain. What does all this mean? Here's a few Examples: At 5,000 feet
„h 15% decrease in oxygen pressure
„h 25% increase in ultraviolet sunlight
„h 16.5 to 27.5 degrees colder At 10,000 feet
„h 30% decrease in oxygen pressure
„h 50% increase in ultraviolet sunlight
„h 33 to 55 degrees colder At 15,000 feet
„h 45% decrease in oxygen pressure
„h 75% increase in ultraviolet sunlight
„h 49.5 to 82.5 degrees colder What should you do about this? Prepare for these changes and other hazards you might face in the Mountains. Here are the top mountain hazards to prepare for: 1. High Altitude (i.e. AMS acute mountain sickness, HAPE high altitude pulmonary edema and HACE high altitude cerebral edema). 2. Extreme Weather (i.e. intense sunshine, extreme temperatures, hurricane force winds, blowing snow and whiteout conditions, freezing rain and lightning). 3. Avalanche 4. Rock Fall 5. Glacier Crevasses 6. Steep Terrain 7. Basic Fears What are the best ways to reduce these mountain hazards: Physical Conditioning: A fit body can more easily deal with the increased demand placed on it in the mountain environment. It can even affect the mental aspect of things. The old saying holds true here; "fatigue makes cowards of us all". Diet: A mountain diet consists of 65% Carbohydrates, 20% Fats and 15% Protein. Studies show that carbohydrates use less oxygen and water to process and therefore keep you hydrated and ready for action (quite the opposite of today¡¦s fad protein diets). Pressure Breathing: There's often a misconception that there is less oxygen at higher altitudes. In reality there¡¦s the same percentage at sea level as there is on top of Mt. Everest. The difference is in the oxygen pressure and because our lungs are a vacuum sealed chamber, we need pressure in order to do the O2/CO2 exchange in our lungs. this means that with less oxygen pressure, there comes a need for a technique to help with the O2/CO2 exchange in the lungs. This technique is called pressure breathing. Basically, you forcefully exhale every couple of breathes through pursed lips (conditioning and altitude will affect frequency). If you¡¦re climbing Mt. Rainier it may be every 3 breathes above 10,000 ft, but on Mt. McKinley after 16,000 ft it might be every single breath. Use the Alpine Pace: Considered a slow methodical pace involving what is called the "Rest Step" and pressure breathing, along with adequate breaks. The Rest Step is where an individual will lock out their back leg or downhill leg and rest on it while they swing their front leg forward into the hill in a relaxed motion, pausing for a moment with each step (i.e. a rest). The breaks should consist of two types, a 3-5 minute break as needed for water and the ability to blow off CO2. And, the second type being a 20 minute break every hour in order to hydrate and snack, along with adequate time to eliminate 50% or more of the waste products produced during exertion. Wear proper gear: Depending on the mountain, the basic mountain tools include: the ten essentials, boots and clothing, backpack and gear, rope and harness, climbing hardware, ice axe, crampons, helmet, head lamp. Important Note: Each foot hits the ground 1,000 times per mile. (i.e. 220 lbs x 1,000 = 220,000 lbs per mile and at 20 miles = 4,400,000 lbs of abuse your feet take). So, rub your feet during breaks, change socks (use layers, liner and wool), carry blister care (mole skin), and wash your feet regularly (if there¡¦s no water use baby wipes). Mountain Drugs: Prevention is always the best medicine! Exercise, hydration and diet are all keys to prevention, along with progressive ascent. Above 10,000 ft, most people should gain no more than 1,000 ft of sleeping altitude per 24hrs. The old rule is "climb high and sleep low". If someone does show signs of AMS and a few Ibuprofen along with some rest don't handle the headache, one of the best courses of action is just plain descent. As for the drugs (under the direction of a physician), Acetazolamide (e.g. Diamox) is a drug that often speeds up resolution of mild AMS by increasing the rate and depth of breathing and thus increases arterial oxygen. For the more serious condition of HAPE, the drug often used is Nifedipine (e.g. Procardia) a drug which reduces blood pressure in the pulmonary system, in essence drying the individual out. And finally for the serious condition of HACE, Dexamethasone (e.g. Decadron) is used and is a steroid that reduces pressure in the brain. Mountain Judgment (knowledge and experience): To better your judgement follow a few basic principles such as, proper planning (see WildernessTrip.com), pursue physical conditioning, read books, articles and web sites, practice relaxation to control fears and master essential mountaineering skills. I the end, Mountains are dangerous but their also quite wonderful, so be prepared and enjoy! |