acclimatization question
If anyone has seen some of my other posts recently you'll know I'm trying to decide between doing a longer Huayhuash trek and a shorter Santa Cruz trek in order to fit more into my trip. Part of what's going to suck up some time is acclimatization. Before the trek, I'll be in the Cuzco area (for Machu Picchu), where i was planning on spending 4-5 days. My question is if i acclimatize in Cuzco (and maybe find some higher altitude day treks - if there are any), then spend a day getting up to Huaraz, will i still be acclimatized? Or will I have to do it over again?1
You'll keep basic acclimatization , which is mainly decided by the altitude where you sleep. NB : you are dealing with altitudes between 3400 ( Cusco ) to just over 2000 in Aguas Calientes , where you willl stay for Machu Picchu. Avoid sleeping first night in Cusco.4
When in Cusco a good day hike is to visit the ruins just above the city. Sacsayhuaman, Q'enko, Pucapucara and Tambo Machay are worth a visit in themselves and you can get a taxi up to the top and walk down... Just being up that high for a day is good acclimatisation.Whilst you'll be prepared for Huaraz and be slightly acclimatised, don't think you'll be able to run up mountains or run at all for very long at around 3,400m! You'll avoid getting altitude sickness, always a bonus, but you should be able to trek immediately.
If all the above fails, Coca/Muña Tea will set you right!
5
I think it really depends on your body. Everyone is different when it comes to acclimitization, and fitness levels don't make a difference. I'm living in Caraz, down the Callejon de Huaylas from Huaraz and the first time I came I had 3 crappy days (headache, extreme fatigue) and then was fine; the next time I came back, I had the headache for 3 days and then lingering fatigue and brain fog that took weeks to get rid of.I highly recommend bringing Diamox (sold very cheaply as generic acetazolamida in Peruvian farmacias) in case you have trouble acclimatizing. It was a wonder drug for me for acclimatizing, once I learned about it. You are supposed to start it 24 hours before ascent, but you can also take it once at altitude if you are having symptoms. It's sold in 250 mg tablets, and I took 125 mg/2xs a day until I felt better and it was amazing. It basically helps your body adjust. It's a diuretic and one of the side effects is tingling feet/hands. Talk to your doctor, but he/she may not know much as most doctors (as I found) don't know much about altitude medicine. Here's some more info:
http://www.basecampmd.com/expguide/diamox.shtml
Be smart and listen to your body! Most serious cases of altitude sickness arise from people in denial or not wanting to hold up the group.
Good luck!
6
The basecamp site has some quirks , including a high preventive does of Diamox. My first recommendations. would be the CDC advisory ( shortlinked at http://korta.nu/cdcalt ) or the evidence based guidelines from WMS ( http://korta.nu/wem )
