FixdGearHead

I'm ascending Mt. Evans (14k+ foot summit) in July; my legs are ready for the climb - but since I'm at Sea Level out here in NY, I do have a bit of concern as to how my body will react to the altitude.

Any advice as to key supplments to take and what to eat in prep?

Did a little bit of research, so far have come up with:

1) Coenzyme Q10
"increases the body's cellular ability to use oxygen"

2) Tyrosine
Sounds like it's supposed to help "reduce stress" on the body

3) Eat high amounts of Leafy Green veggies and Complex Carbs

I think I'll do #1 and already do #3...probably avoid #2. Any other advice?

SSP

I live at 600 feet, and have done 5 weeklong tours in Colorado, including Mt. Evans.

In the weeks leading up to a tour I've used supplemental iron, on the theory that it could help ensure enough hemoglobin and red blood cells (but, don't take a lot - too much iron can cause heart problems in men).

I've also taken Ginko - some studies have shown that it helps with altitude. Others have been equivocal.

You might want to contact your doctor and get a prescription for Diamox. It's designed to help with the first few days of altitude acclimation.

On the day of the ride, I recommend you take some aspirin (before the ride, and have some with you). It will thin your blood a bit, and also help with the inevitable headache.

Drink lots of fluids, and keep a close eye on how you're feeling. You never know how your body will react to elevation - I've known really strong guys who simply have to turn back when they get above 9,000 feet or so, or risk serious problems.

For more info, check out this website: https://www.high-altitude-medicine.com/


And tell me you're not riding it on a fixie.

FixdGearHead

Heh...no, the fixed gear is staying home on this trip

Good point on the aspirin, I had read about that too (fogot to list it in my post).

Used to do quite a bit of riding (Mtn Biking...not as much road) several years back in Colorado, but have been away now for close to 10 yrs...the altitude never used to bother me (sleep soundly at 10k ft) but who knows now...we'll see.

Thanks for the link - I'll check it out.

bburrito

Another place I would take a look at is www.summitpost.com Most of the people on that website are mountaineers and there are some pretty active discussions about just this thing. While supplements and nutrition might help, the only thing that affects your performance and athletic capacity at altitude is your red blood cell count. The more red blood cells you have, the more oxygen your blood can carry. Find a large fat straw and train while breathing through it is a good suggestion. If you can't get in an oxygen scarce environment, do what you can to fake it. Breath through a straw while walking around and when you can do that with no problem, slowly bump the excersize level up. This will cause your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs which is exactly what happens when at altitude.

Good luck on checking off a 14er! The only one I have done is Mt Whitney and while it is a glorified hike, that altitude really gets to you. Also, educate yourself on Acute Mountain Syndrome aka altitude sickness.

slowandsteady

Iron might help

DnvrFox

Fitness is usually not a factor in altitude sickness. It seemingly strikes at random.

Rest, acclimatization, lots and lots of water - in addition to the altitude, CO is very dry.

Richard Cranium

Yeah, if you think it works then take it. Probably won't hurt anything but your wallet.

Good luck on the climb, it's best that you stay at low altitude until the last possible moment before the ride. Low humidity, often lessens the urge to drink, so drink early and often. That's a great ride, make a memory, good luck.

FixdGearHead

Thanks all - Appreciate the advice; I'll have a camera with me to 'document' the climb...tho I'll probably wait until the trip DOWN to take any pics.

I think I'm in great shape, but as the date gets closer and closer...I get more and more nervous. Wonder if I could convince my Doc to prescribe me some EPO?

SSP

You might want to bring some Tums, or whatever works for you for upset stomach. I experienced that when I climbed Mt. Evans a few years ago...it made eating a real challenge.

Unless you're riding it for time, I'd also recommend taking your photos on the way up the mountain. You'll be feeling worse and worse as you climb, and stopping for a minute to take a picture can help. In the last mile or so, I was so out of breath that I was forced to stop just to get a drink from the water bottle.

The last couple of miles were kind of crazy...I was having all the classic effects of hypoxia - pounding headache, upset stomach, mentally "fuzzy", tingling lips and fingers, and tunnel vision. About half a mile from the summit, I apparently rode right by a family of mountain goats standing in the open in the middle of a tight right-hand switchback (so I actually passed them twice!!). Riders just ahead of and behind me saw them, but I didn't. Fortunately, I did get a nice shot of one from the summit (below).

I only spent about 10 minutes at the summit because I felt like crap and wanted to get down to a lower elevation. Be careful on the downhill - the road surface is OK, but there are cracks in it, and your mental functions won't be at 100%. Also, there are no guardrails at all.

Finally, bring clothing for any weather. When I climbed it in July, '03, it was a clear day with temperatures in the '80's down in the valleys. But, up on Mt. Evans, there were snow flurries on the summit about 45 minutes after I left.

Have Fun, and say Hi to the goat! For more Mt. Evans photos, look here.

FixdGearHead

Awesome; Definitely not looking to break Tommy D's record on the ascent...so maybe I should stop and take pics on the way up. Didn't think about the fact that on the way down I'll be mentally/physically exhausted.

I've actually ridden down Mt Evans before...but this was after a cushy ride up in a van up to the summit with my family...it'll be a whole 'nother experience after having rid 28 miles up to the summit.

I'll be packing winter riding clothing with me to change into for the ride down (wool long sleeve jersey, barrier jacket, skull cap, tights etc)...I believe the standard is: Summit temp is on avg 40 degrees cooler than the temp in Denver (forget where I read/heard that).

SSP

One more thing - get an early start. This time of year, afternoon thunderstorms frequently pop up after noon, so it's best to summit before then if you can. And be prepared to turn back if you see the clouds building up.

supcom

Forget about magic supplements. The best thing you can do is arrive in the area early to acclimatize as much as possible before the start of the ride. If you live at, or near, sea level, you are very likely to suffer greatly as you climb. It's going to be hard enough just standing around once you get past 10,000 ft., let alone grinding up a grade. I would try to arrive about three days early and do some preliminary climbs part way up the mountain. More time is better, but you should get the biggest benefit in the first few days.

Maybe you could get an altitude tent? :-)

Terex

I live in Jersey and don't have too much problem acclimating to the altitude in the west. I figure that the amount of available oxygen here in NJ, with all the pollution and such, is about the same as at 12,000' in Colorado.

Terex

Forgot to note that I've ridden a mountain bike from the base of Vail to the top of the rideable mountain when I wasn't in great shape. It wasn't too bad, but the descent was a WHOLE lot more fun than the ascent. And when I rolled into Vail Village, they were having October Fest - I was in heaven!

FixdGearHead

Yeah...and when the wind blows to the East, we have to deal with NJ's polluted air here


Is there any merit to doing some rides with limited breathing (ie, thru a straw or some such device)?

DnvrFox

I just found this link - maybe it works??

https://worldunfurled.com/2005/09/07/...eets-low-tech/