[Philmont] Altitude conditioning

Being a biologist and former U S Army combat medic, I 'd like to share some thoughts on altitude conditioning. I'll save the best for last, so read on.
   
  Some have already touched on it. No amount of conditioning can prepare a human body for the effects of high altitude UNLESS 1) You live at altitude and 2) You train at altitude OR 3) You participate in "blood packing".
   
  Numbers one and two is the reason the U S Olympic training facility is located at Colorado Springs! Number three has been outlawed long ago.
   
  The body accomodates itself for living at higher altitudes by producing more red blood cells which means more hemoglobin which carries the oxygen from the lungs to the cells. Activity at altitude does this but it takes months to accomplish the maximum and you are only at Philmont for ten days.
   
  Given however, you do some "aclimating" during that short stay. A person that stays the whole summer acclimates even more.
   
  Wanna make a fool of yourself? Step off the bus or train at Philmont and run a fifty yard footrace with someone who has been there a month! Even worse, share the trail with a family member of permanent staff and you will be sucking wind and they look as if on a Sunday afternoon stroll in the park. They are aclimated, you aren't--no matter how much you "worked out".
   
  OK, blood packing. Once a commonly practiced method by Olympic athletes, one gives blood, has it centrifuged and red blood cells separeated and then reinjected. After several weeks or months of this, the red blood cell count is abnormally high along with the added oxygen transport. This practice has since been outlawed just like performance enhancing drugs. I don't recommend you try it.
   
  I mention it only because of it's effectiveness. Bottom line, you can't duplicate the end result with exercise. You can become better "fit" but cannot produce more of the oxygen transport cells you need.
   
  Exercise with packs.
   
  On my first trek in 1959, our advisor told us if we weren't doing our "practice hikes" with a backpack on we were effectively wasting our time. We needed to "toughen up" those shoulder muscles.
   
  Yes, back in the non paddle strap moulded Army packboard days, he was right. Todays sophisticated pack harnesses help, but conditioning with the pack on still gets you ahead of the game. Just include it in the regimen.
   
  And lastly, Philmont has imposed their height/weight/blood pressure rules to try their best to keep a lot of older wannabes from killing themselves in front of their sons, daughters and friends.
   
  And it is working. Statistice show that.
   
  If you are just getting under the line, heed the warning and do something about your weight and exercise level and you will be better for it.
   
  I did not like the Inside Ragazine article on Philmont a few years ago, but they were right on one thing. Philmont is chocked full of overweight advisors. Take time to do something to change that startign with ones self.
   
  Now for the root of the problem and a look at AMS.
   
  I was concerned about AMS about fifteen years ago when I went Elk Hunting near Gunnison, Co and thusly did my homework. I am very glad I did.
   
  The physical demand on my body made Philmont look like a cake walk.
   
  AMS prevention and body physical conditioning go hand in hand and an understanding of AMS helps one to understand what they are up against and how to succeed.
   
  Many times people at Philont have used there term "sucking wind" for what they experienced. In fact they were. Another commonly heard remarkk is "I'm OK, I just can't egt enough air" when in effect that is exactly correct.
   
  Do your homework. Here is just one article for starters.
   
  One comment. Some of these suggestions are a bit difficult for a Scout leader on a trip to do. Others are very easy. Philmont even does it's share of this for you in their laying heavily on the carbohydrates in the food furnished to you.
   
  In essense Philmont is doing their part, we adults just have to do ours.
   
  http://www.uspharmacist.com/oldformat.asp?url=newlook/files/Cons/ACFA8F4.htm&pub_id=8&article_id=686
   
   
  John LeBlanc
   
   

                 
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Received on Fri Sep 8 20:59:25 2006