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Question about altitude sickness

Replies: 8 - Last Post: Jul 14, 2012 4:51 PM Last Post By: vistet

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Lucacic

Lucacic avatar

Jul 13, 2012 4:25 PM
Posts:  180

Question about altitude sickness

Hi there,
it may be a silly question, but I haven't found specific info about that on the web so I give it a try
I'm planning to head to Northern Argentina and Bolivia in september, I'll be spending more or less 25 days at high but not very high altitudes (3000m, and I'm accustumed to hiking and climbing in the Alps), so I guess that in theory this would not be problematic concerning acclimatization. from La Paz, I was thinking to take a flight to Rurre fur a jungle tour, and here's the point of the thread: if I'll be spending 3 or 4 days there at an altitude of 200 meters, will I have problems coming back to La Paz, considering that I'd like to do some hiking in Sorata at 4500-5000 meters? Will my body be acclimatized after the previous 25-30 days at altitude, or should I follow again the "acclimatization rule", ie spending some days in La Paz after Rurre?
I know there is no way to be certain about what the effects of altitude on my body will be, but it is something I'd like to understand before setting up any itinerary.
Many thanks in advance, and sorry for my English but it's clearly not my mother tongue!

vistet

vistet avatar

Jul 13, 2012 4:35 PM
Posts:  818

1

Couple of days nights at low altitude is ok , acclimatization starts to wear off after between one and two weeks.

ban_janti_return

ban_janti_return avatar

Jul 13, 2012 6:22 PM
Posts:  1,832

2

I've lost all my acclimatization after spending 3 weeks in Rurre, I heard about people being born in the altitude, then moved to lowlands and not being able to ever go back.
Few days should be ok, but still I will consider staying in La Paz (or somewhere else at or below 4000m) for a few days

kmingnath

kmingnath avatar

Jul 14, 2012 12:19 AM
Posts:  730

3

I went straight from Salta to Uyuni and didn't have any problems aside from being a little short of breath sometimes. It depends on the person but be sure to begin by taking it easy and not drinking too much alcohol.

Lucacic

Lucacic avatar

Jul 14, 2012 2:16 AM
Posts:  180

4

thank you for your answers, I understand one more time that the way it affects people is very unpredictable, I hope that i won't lose acclimatization, but if I will I guess that staying a bit more in La Paz will be the best option. Thank you again!

vistet

vistet avatar

Jul 14, 2012 3:51 AM
Posts:  818

5

"I heard about people being born in the altitude, then moved to lowlands and not being able to ever go back."

There is a form of high altitude pulmonary edema ( " re-entry HAPE" ) that happens among high altitude residents returning home - on fast ascents only . Marooned in the lowlands for the remainder of life ... this sounds like a modern fable , but I´ll go with anything backed by good sources.

ban_janti_return

ban_janti_return avatar

Jul 14, 2012 8:39 AM
Posts:  1,832

6

#5 Indeed I should add that I have no actual proof of those statements, so they should be treated as a gossip. That's what some Nepali guide told me....

ban_janti_return

ban_janti_return avatar

Jul 14, 2012 4:44 PM
Posts:  1,832

7

Eric: no disrespect, but you suggest bringing timber to the woods or ice to south pole...
Coca is everywhere and it's a effective natural remedy, it cost something close to nothing. What's the reason of buying so called homoeopathic medicine and paying for a logo?
Is same kind of business as big pharma-corps, just on a smaller scale.

vistet

vistet avatar

Jul 14, 2012 4:51 PM
Posts:  818

8

Still believe in the sonic screwdriver as well ?
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