Camping, backpacking, hiking, et al

[Fat Strat]

I've honestly never experienced altitude sickness. What's it like?

[Tambourine Man]

I've honestly never experienced altitude sickness. What's it like?

I'm not completely certain that I had altitude sickness, but it sure was weird having every flu-like symptom in the middle of summer. It just happened to coincide with a family trip to the Taos Ski Valley and I was magically better when we left a few days later.

[Hungary Jack]

In mild forms, altitude sickness feels a bit like a hangover--mild headache, some nausea, diminished appetite, fatigue. In more severe cases, it can cause a splitting headache, tunnel vision, dizziness, and other sensory impairments.

Smokey and I were attempting the Four Pass Loop about 5 years ago when at about 12,000 in Buckskin Pass, he got the headache, tunnel vision, and dizziness. An electrical storm came in and hailed on us, at which point we turned back. Driving down to Glenwood Springs at about 5700 ft was enough to relieve Smokey of the symptoms.

[ThatGuy]

I've honestly never experienced altitude sickness. What's it like?

I'm not completely certain that I had altitude sickness, but it sure was weird having every flu-like symptom in the middle of summer. It just happened to coincide with a family trip to the Taos Ski Valley and I was magically better when we left a few days later.

Skiing is the only thing I like about Taos.

[Tambourine Man]

I've honestly never experienced altitude sickness. What's it like?

I'm not completely certain that I had altitude sickness, but it sure was weird having every flu-like symptom in the middle of summer. It just happened to coincide with a family trip to the Taos Ski Valley and I was magically better when we left a few days later.

Skiing is the only thing I like about Taos.

My bed and toilet were lovely. That's about as much as I got to see, other than an attempted trip to the pueblo where I promptly bolted from the car to puke in their river/creek/water source.

[Fat Strat]

In mild forms, altitude sickness feels a bit like a hangover--mild headache, some nausea, diminished appetite, fatigue. In more severe cases, it can cause a splitting headache, tunnel vision, dizziness, and other sensory impairments.

Smokey and I were attempting the Four Pass Loop about 5 years ago when at about 12,000 in Buckskin Pass, he got the headache, tunnel vision, and dizziness. An electrical storm came in and hailed on us, at which point we turned back. Driving down to Glenwood Springs at about 5700 ft was enough to relieve Smokey of the symptoms.

Wow. Does it only affect some people? I've done the 5000 to 10,000 ft in a few hours thing, 7000 to 12,000 in a few hours and never felt a thing.

[thrill]

I've gotten altitude sickness twice. The first two times I came straight from Illinois, climbed to 12,500 feet and got really sick. It was at the same exact point on Long's Peak both times. The third time, I camped at about 8,000 feet for 4 days, then climbed to 14+ and was fine. I just needed those days of acclimitization.

Boulder Field before the Keyhole?

Actually about 3/4 a mile away. It's the part where you get a break from the long switch backs that end in a straight stair case kind of deal and there's a big plateau before you start for the Boulder Fields.

3rd time when I was acclimatized for 4 days, I did it no problem.

[Hungary Jack]

I've gotten altitude sickness twice. The first two times I came straight from Illinois, climbed to 12,500 feet and got really sick. It was at the same exact point on Long's Peak both times. The third time, I camped at about 8,000 feet for 4 days, then climbed to 14+ and was fine. I just needed those days of acclimitization.

Boulder Field before the Keyhole?

Actually about 3/4 a mile away. It's the part where you get a break from the long switch backs that end in a straight stair case kind of deal and there's a big plateau before you start for the Boulder Fields.

3rd time when I was acclimatized for 4 days, I did it no problem.

Smokey and I were contemplating camping at the Boulder Field which, IIRC, is at about 13,000 ft. We camped at 11,000 ft a few years ago in the Gore Range.

[Freed Roger]

This thread and nice weather late Sunday afternoon fired me up to sneak in a couple hours of hiking.

Nice trails west of St. Louis out towards Six Flags -Chubb Trail and offshoots are accessible by Lone Elk County Park, West Tyson County Park, or Castlewood St Park. Our dog - The Big Galoot joined me - and as always he was beside himself with joy to be running free.

We jumped on the trail from West Tyson at Antire Rd and 44. Though we've hiked around Castlewood, I've never done this part.

The Big Galoot is the color of the earth this time of year - so he'd blend in and then run off to disappear for 10 minute stretches doing god knows what. The way he'd come traipsing back with his tongue hanging and satisfied look, I suspect he was donking some bobcats or coyotes he found - he's not an alpha dog, he's The Alpha Dog.

Its pretty nice hiking, maintained trail (no bushwhacking) but lots of mud, rocks and roots. A hilly varied terrain, and even some scenic overlooks. Trees were still barren, so soon there will be a thick canopy most of this hike (and the bugs etc too). As challenging as you want to make it (nice family outing to a good tune up for an experienced hiker). The Chubb Trail itself is 7 miles I think, and connects to all these other locales and extenders. A couple mountain bikers were on the trail- I'm amazed what you can put one of those bikes thru.

With all the set aside forest here for the parks, Wash Univ Land, and boyscout park, you do feel like you are in the woods away from most signs of the surrounding suburbia. The drone of highway 44 is ominiprescent but diminishes once you cross over the first ridge. So I put on the headphones for a while, but then took them off to listen in case the Big Galoot was getting into mayhem.

I'm going to make a point to take more advantage of places like this within an hour or two of home. So I welcome any GRB advice on locations to explore. Even though I run or walk the Galoot daily, I'm surprised how sore I am from this hike, especially the sides of my calves -must be from all the uneven terrain.

[Diddy]

I just bought my fifth tent--an REI Quarterdome T3. It's a 3-man, 3-season deal that weighs about 5 pounds. Two doors+vestibules, mesh canopy with a beefy fly. I'll use it on my cooler trips with Smokey. I think we'll both appreciate the extra room.

How are you liking this tent? Im gona make a purchase pretty soon. Looking for a 3 man 3 season. Probably most of my camping will be done at the lake but im also planning a rafting, hiking, camping trip to colorado this summer.

Looking at:

North Face

Bug Town

Seedhouse