"Natural Altitude Sickness Prevention"

[fnshtr]

I've hunted at high elevations several times and for the first time this past fall had a somewhat severe bout with this. I live at 600' ASL and slept at 5000', then two nights at 8500' and thought I was "acclimated". Hiked up to 9500' the next day and had a terrible night on the mountain. I was in better physical shape this past year than I had been on previous hunts at higher elevations.

The best description I can give briefly would be to say I felt like I was dying "over and over again". I seriously considered grabbing a flashlight and heading the 6 miles off the mountain to get some relief. I didn't get any rest that night... but trudged on up to 10,500' for the duration of the hunt and experienced no more problems.    

 Can anyone recommend a "natural" supplement that you have had good results using?
 
Mostly interested in "prevention"... I've used diamox and don't like the side effects.

Thanks!

[screamin]

Boy, if there is an answer to this I'd like to know myself. Last yr I camped at 8900 and hunted at 10,000, after a couple of days I thought my head was going to explode. Hunted lower for a couple of more days after that but in the end I had to get out of there. After dropping to 6000 I was ok after about a day. Never went back up there, stayed around 8000 for the rest of the hunt without any problems.

I buddy of mine told me, he lived at 2500 like I do, after he moved and now lives at 6000 it took him 6 months to fully acclimate.

[chanumpa]

Time is the only cure I know of to acclimate for elevation.As you guys said,usually hits hard when you near 9,500.Seems that it can last about 24 hrs.,and can take 5 days before you are really use to it.Need the Colorado guys to chime in here.They might know a trick or two.

[stalkin4elk]

Wildernessathlete Altitude Advantage is a product that I have never tried. Their drinks and bars are high quality with good ingredients and minimal sugar/junk.
Might be worth a try.

[knappinman]

I live in Utah at 5,000 ft and routinely hunt at high altitude above 9,500,  sometimes well above, unfortunately because we live this high we just don't notice much of a change, so Consequently I don't  really know any remedies either, I will say when I visit lower climes I find myself easily able to out pace others as my lungs are used to hiking with thinner air and man do I have energy  

[ozy clint]

garlic is well known amongst the sherpas in nepal. it thins the blood. clove oil heaps too apparently. drink heaps of water!

[wigeon]

I used Wilderness athlete advantage this year and had no problems.I took the altitude pills and had the drinks to rehydrate and recover .Check out their website  it works

[L82HUNT]

I had it once to where I was vomiting. It's no fun.  But since then I've talked to a few people and the best advice I got was just never stop drinking.   I take the powder Gatorade and drink this 75% of the time when I am up there and water the rest.   But what has really helped me was that I always drive out there so I wasn't drinking a lot so I didn't have to stop.   Not anymore I don't care if I stop every 2 hrs I drink water the hole 17 hrs there and have never had a problem since

[Tater]

I live at 5200' and hunt anywhere from 9000' to 11,000' so altitude is not really an issue for me.

     Never actually tried this but I have read that regular antacids, like tums, rolaids etc. can be helpful with reducing the affects of altitude sickness. I'm no chemist but something in the antacids helps.

[Butts2]

Times 2 on on what Tater said  ^

[bamboo]

tums----WATER

[Onions]

I have been told and read that TUMS works very well (do a google search and you will find lots of info on TUMS). Usually two tablets/day. I always carry a roll in my pack, when at high altitude, but so far have not needed it.

chris <><

[Whip]

X3
I have hunted higher elevations a number of times, coming from the low land of Wisconsin. I'm sure it varies for some, but the things I do that seem to work for me are:
Lots of water
Lots of antacids
Arrive a couple days early if possible, or at a minimum take it slow and easy for three first couple of days.
That has always worked for me. Hope it continues, because I sure hope I have at least a few more high altitude hunts left in me.

[Roughrider]

Altitude sickness is extremely dangerous - people die from it - don't take it lightly.  If you feel symtoms of altitude sickness, immediately go to a lower elevation.  

The only natural preventive I've ever heard of is acclimization.  Do this by climbing higher, in stages, than you will be spending the majority of your time.  For example, the first day climb, or drive, (if you drive, gain and give up elevation slowly) to 7000 feet and spend a couple hours, then return to a lower elevation.  The next day go to 8500' for a few hours and return to 7000' for the night.  COntinue this progression and you should lessen the chance of altitude sickness. A few years ago we climbed Kilimanjaro in Africa (19,500'), and each day we would hike up to an elevation higher than where we slept. On the third night we camped about 15,000', then hiked to the summit the next morning, and had little problem with altitude sickness, but man, it's hard to even think in the thin air @ 19,000'!

  As others have said, drink lots of water.

[fnshtr]

I really appreciate all your comments. I had forgotten about the antacids. I have heard that before.

I do drink lots of water when I hunt higher elevations. In fact, I'm constantly drinking water. I know another individual that had hunted many times at high elevations and was in tremendous physical shape. He drove from AZ up to CO for a solo hunt. He hiked in 7 miles up on a mountain and got sick. He then hiked all the way back off the mountain and drug himself into his truck where he spent the night. Feeling better in the morning he started back up the trail and got about halfway up when it hit again. He had to abandon his hunt altogether.

I know another hunter (he's a trad guy and frequents this website) that told me he found a "herbal" preventative that works. I'm waiting to hear back from him. He says he has used it with great results (never had a problem). My only concern about it is that I had never had a problem either (taking nothing but water) in several trips. Others have shared the same experience with me.

Thanks again for all the responses... and I'll let you all know if/when I hear back from this other guy.

[hunt it]

A good friend of mine hunted Blue sheep in China at 17,500ft he was 68 at the time. When he arrived in camp his sherpa guides told him to throw the diamox out! Do as we do - a clove of garlic with breakfast another clove with lunch and another with dinner and one more before bed.

He said prridge and garlic no mix so good but he spent 10 days at 17,000ft+ and had no issues at all. Would not have wanted seat on plane beside him on way home, but he got his sheep!

[ChuckC]

Be careful with "herbal" or "natural" remedies.

Just saying
ChuckC

[fnshtr]

Originally posted by ChuckC:
Be careful with "herbal" or "natural" remedies.

Just saying
ChuckC

Exactly why I posted this. I didn't like the side effects of the diamox... and have heard that some have had good experience with "natural remedies".

Now I'm wondering if garlic would be a good "cover scent".    :confused:    :D

[screamin]

I'm definitely going to give the tums a shot this year, I'll also make sure I drink more as well.

Garlic makes no sense, as far as I know its a diuretic when taken in giant doses like that. Seems like it would defeat the purpose? Buuuuttt, who knows, the sherpa's might be on to something.

[hunt it]

Garlic is a natural blood thinner. Thinner blood circulates better at higher elavations.