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Topic: High altitude???
Replies: 8   Pages: 1   Last Post: 13-Dec-2006 21:53 by: average mike

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Replies: 8   Pages: 1  
average mike

Posts: 13
From: Brighton/Taunton
Registered: 12-Dec-2006
High altitude???
Posted: 12-Dec-2006 15:34
  Reply

Im 23 with CF, but have been a snowboarding in euroupe for years. I suffer slightly from the altitude there, but am very keen to go to the US where the mountains are 2 or 3 times the altitude. Has anyone any experience of the high altitude and extra cold conditions? Would I simply pass out? I am not particularly fit, but intend to build myself up for when I finally go... mission!
cheers

pinkgirl

Posts: 77
From: Ireland
Registered: 06-Nov-2006
Re: High altitude???
Posted: 12-Dec-2006 15:45
  Reply

Hi

I looked at going skiing in Europe last year when I had lung failure. For me, due to altitude, this would have required a tank of oxygen on my back. I was willing to do this, but before I got to go, I went on the transplant list. A lot of people with lung conditions ski with a cansiter of oxygen just to help them when they're up high. Maybe you could look into this? How high would the US mountains be??

average mike

Posts: 13
From: Brighton/Taunton
Registered: 12-Dec-2006
Re: High altitude???
Posted: 12-Dec-2006 15:57
  Reply

I've never thought of using oxygen, but I know it would help even when in europe. Thanks for the tip! Where ive been in france is around 1500m, while the US reaches upto around 4000m. I tire very quickly at 1500, my girlfriend who I taught to snowboard can significantly outlast me up high... bummer!

sunseasand

Posts: 74
Registered: 10-Nov-2006
Re: High altitude???
Posted: 12-Dec-2006 17:35
  Reply

My son wcf as been in extra cold conditions -40 and more. The main problem he experienced was that the cold did was to get down the throat when you breath, which caused coughing and felt a bit sore.So it helps to keep you mouth covered with a scarf. If you have a cold with runny eyes or nose that also can be a bit of a problem as your nose inside starts icing up and eyes really sting if too wet, so again try and wear goggles and a scarf over the nose. He also found that when he started to sweat if he had too much layers on his head/hair started sweating. So even though he had a hat on he had to keep taking his hat off has he was over heating and straight away the sweat on the head iced, so make sure you are not too hot with too many layers specially when skiing. We always had a hot flask of chocolate drink with us in our mini-bus which also seemed to help him. Hope you have a great time. from sunseasand.

average mike

Posts: 13
From: Brighton/Taunton
Registered: 12-Dec-2006
Re: High altitude???
Posted: 12-Dec-2006 19:52
  Reply

Thanks for the advice sunseasand, looks like Im gonna need a utility belt for all the precautionary things Il be carting up the mountain with me! Was he at altitude? If so how did his lungs cope with oxygen levels?
Cheers

chocoholic

Posts: 1
From: Notts
Registered: 12-Dec-2006
Re: High altitude???
Posted: 12-Dec-2006 22:02
  Reply

I have been skiing to Banff and Whistler in Canada. Banff isn’t as high as some of the US resorts but I did notice I got more breathless and lethargic the higher I went. I also suffered a bit from dehydration.
The temperature dropped to -37 in Banff but the cold conditions seem to suit me, I suffered the pain sunseasand mentioned when you breathe but I found my breathing as a whole was a lot better than when I am in the UK. I also wore thermals and other breathable clothes so I wasn’t skiing in wet clothes if I started sweating.

A couple of non-CF friends of mine went to Breckenridge in the US and they both struggled with the altitude and had to go for oxygen therapy while they were there as they were getting very light headed and lethargic as they weren't use to the altitude.

Have you considered skiing in Canada instead of the US.
Banff and Whistler are both great resorts with excellent snow conditions and the altitude isn’t as high as the US, both have over 200 runs.
Whistler is on the West coast and is very popular with Snowboarder’s. It gets fantastic snow and as a relatively low altitude at 2300m. It also as great Après ski. Whistler/Vancouver is hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics.
http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/index.htm

Let me know if you need any more info

average mike

Posts: 13
From: Brighton/Taunton
Registered: 12-Dec-2006
Re: High altitude???
Posted: 12-Dec-2006 23:37
  Reply

I had Canada in mind already, so thanks for the suggestions. I get major dehydration when snowboarding, normaally carry a 2 litre bottle of water with me, glad Im not alone there!! Might avoid the Olympics though, it's expensive enough as it is out there!
cheers chocoholic

Kim (summerdays)

Posts: 301
From: south wales
Registered: 15-Nov-2006
Re: High altitude???
Posted: 13-Dec-2006 21:40
  Reply

god your brave . kim x

average mike

Posts: 13
From: Brighton/Taunton
Registered: 12-Dec-2006
Re: High altitude???
Posted: 13-Dec-2006 21:53
  Reply

maybe. stubborn and male (men do stupid things!!)

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