Re: [Philmont]: Philmont Altitude Acclimation

The use of medical to control altitude sickness for Philmont is over kill.  The most common problem for flatlanders in attempting Philmont and quite frankly other western states is not the altitude but proper hydration.  I suspect strongly that altitude was not the cause as coming off the trail in the first few days is not going to change your altitude enough for you to recover from acute altitude sickness but what will happen is base camp will pump the victim full of fluids.

I see nothing wrong with your plan as stated.  I would add the following to help all of your crew.  Increase fluid consumption 1-2 weeks prior to arriving at Philmont and eliminate caffiene and soft drinks from your diet.  Add salty snacks.  Most people walk around 1-2 qts low on fluids normally because in our busy lives we just don't drink enough.  By starting the process a week or two before arrival your body will have a chance to flush itself and adjust to the new fluid intake.  The guideline for consumption should be on the output not the input of fluids:  Clear Copious and about every 2 hours.

If you find someone is getting fatigued and showing other mild signs of dehydration (be very familiar with the symtoms)  push a qt of gatorade and as much water as they can consume until they reach clear and copious. Sipping all day is better than drinking large amounts with meals.  If your crew does not get up and piss first thing in the morning then push fluids with breakfast. If anyone breaks out with chapped lips, it is not the sun.  It is a sign of dehydration.  If the roots of the tree are well watered then the leaves will not wilt.  Same here with your lips.  If anyone is using chapstick regularly then push the water until the condition improves.  Your lips like the inside of your mouth are one of the fasting healing areas of the body and one of the first to dry out to conserve water.

Your first day or two will be short and not have many hard climbs. This is to permit your crew to adapt and adjust to the environment.  You should keep an eye out for problems at this stage.  Quickly getting ahead of the issue will keep everyone on the trail and having a good time.

Now some additional information based upon recent experience on a trip to Yellowstone of 40+ miles.  For your adults esp. the females a  blood count should be part of their physical.  A mildly anemic person IS more susceptable to the altitude than one with a "normal" blood count.  If the red blood cells are not there they can't carry the O2 to the body.  Also having some salt tablets to supplement the gatorade in high heat situations can also be useful.  We experience higher than normal temperature on our hike to YNP this summer and the liberal use of gatorade and salty snacks kept some people on the trail.  We also discover on our return that one of our female members was nearly anemic.  This contributed to her headaches and difficulty adjusting the elements.  Just something to add to your checklist.

Last thing to consider is once you get on the trail follow the backpackers adage of up early and in by noon.  Every hour of hiking prior to noon is worth 2 afternoon. The cooler temperature and higher humidity of the early morning hours will aid your crew.  At YNP we were up before the sun and on the trail at first light to avoid hiking in the heat.  It was a lot more fun to be fly fishing when the temperature hit 85+ then backpacking.

Best of luck.

Mike Wald

'72 '02 '04