Hunting at Elevation – Understanding and Preventing Altitude Sickness

Think for a moment, of all the time that is invested, and money that is spent, in preparing for a mountain hunt.

Now, think about the problems that might arise in this hunt.

I’m not talking about missing a shot on an animal, dealing with troublesome gear, or experiencing a rare injury that could stop the hunt – although these things are difficult. I am talking about a very real danger that can put an abrupt end to the hunting experience, and all chances at filling a tag.

The danger is altitude.

What Happens at Altitude

As elevation increases, the air in the atmosphere becomes “thinner”, meaning that there are fewer molecules present. In other words, the air is less dense. The percentage (21%) of oxygen molecules in the air is the same as it is at sea level, but there are fewer number molecules in the air, which means that there is less oxygen available to breathe.

Fewer oxygen molecules available per breathe means that the level of oxygen in your blood begins to decrease. Your body reacts to this change and begins an attempt to acquire more oxygen by “asking” your system by breathing more – in some cases hyperventilating. If your body cannot adapt to the thinner air, then sickness can begin to take over.

What’s The Risk?

“High altitude” is classified as elevations above 8,000′; which is the level at which some people begin to experience problems and symptoms of altitude sickness. However, not everyone reacts to altitude in the same way.

Someone may be perfectly fine at eight-, nine-, or ten-thousand feet, while others may become very sick.

The most common illness is classified asAcute Mountain Sickness (AMS). This often involves flu-like symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, etc.

These symptoms can progress with continued exposure to altitude and can become quite crippling, or in some extreme cases, even deadly.

Exposure to extreme elevations may cause high-altitude pulmonary edema (swelling/fluid in the lungs), or cerebral edema (swelling/fluid in the brain), which are rare, but life-threatening illnesses.

The risk for most hunters will be a case of flu-like symptoms that will drain their bodies of energy, stamina, and the ability to chase wild game through the mountains.

Mountain hunting is tough when a person is in peak physical and mental shape, so even a mild case of AMS is something that can ruin a hunt.

The Problem with Acclimation

The body can adapt to the thinner air at altitude, but it takes time – the process of fully acclimating to elevation exposure can take a couple of weeks.

It is recommended that someone coming from lower elevations should not exceed elevations of 8,000′ by more than 1,000’’ of elevation gain per day. This means that someone that wants to hunt at 11,000′ should arrive at 8,000′ and spend 24 hours there, before moving on to 9,000, resting there for 24 hours, and so on.

This obviously presents a problem for someone, like me, that wants to begin hunting at 10,000′ as soon as possible. I don’t have time to wait around and let my body go through a process of acclimation.

To make matters worse, the body’s reaction to sustained, un-acclimated elevation exposure is typically worse during days 3-5. In other words, the greatest threat to physical performance, and the greatest risk of getting sick, is during the middle of a week-long hunt.

Preparation and Prevention

As mentioned above, acclimation is the next-best solution, but not everyone has the time for that.

Many people have never hunted at, much less spent any time at high altitudes, so it might be in their best interest to take a scouting trip or even a family vacation to an area that will give them an opportunity to see how they handle the altitude. Before you spend your time and money on a hunt, you might want to know how adept you are to hunting at elevation.

Here are some ways to help prevent, or lessen the effects of altitude sickness…

• Take it easy – Make sure to get adequate rest, and avoid overexertion at elevation. Your body will be working extra hard to adjust to the altitude, and physical activity will inhibit the body’s ability to cope. Doing too much, too soon, is one of the greatest risks of getting AMS.
• Drink it up – Staying hydrated will help your body’s fluids in order, and help fight-off symptoms of AMS. It is important to hydrate before exposure to elevation, so start maintaining a high water intake two weeks before your trip.
• Just say, “no” – Alcohol, tobacco, and other depressant drugs can decrease respiratory function and allow the body to “relax” too much during rest, which will counteract the need for oxygen intake.
• Pop a pill – Some medications, such as Ibuprofen, can help relieve symptoms of AMS. Additionally, there are medications that may help prevent AMS from occurring, such as Diamox. Consult a doctor before your trip and get recommendations on what, if any, medications may be the best for your needs.

Finally, training and preparing your body for the demands of high-mountain hunting is a key aspect of preventing sickness and maintaining your ability to hunt effectively. Check back for another article on how to train for elevation.

For more information on the effects of altitude, check out this guide from Princeton University…

Outdoor Action Guide to High Altitude: Acclimatization and Illnesses