elk hunting sickness

[bklimek]

This will be my first hunt this year and I am counting down the days, hours, minutes, well you know how it is. Anyways I am physically fit and ready for the rigors that mountains can bring but there is one thing I am afraid of and that is feeling nausus. I was in Denver a little over a year now and my stomach never felt good when I would eat. I beleive it was from the elevation but how can one prevent this. Is there something I can take or prepare so I don't get this feeling?

[Eskimo]

Get here a few days early and drink a ton of water!! That's about all you can do... You will need to take three breaths for every two you are used to to get the same level of oxygen in your bloodstream. Tim

[Gissert]

What Eskimo said, especially about the water. For me, staying fully hydrated is 90 percent of the acclimatising battle for me.

I go every year to the flat tops area, and camp at about 10,600 feet. We get there on Thursday and set up camp. Pounding in tent stakes is wind draining work when you go that high from 1000 feet in 24 hours. I can usually only walk about 50 yards before pausing to catch my breath that first afternoon. We take our time, and drink LOTS of water.

When Friday morning comes, I will have a headache and feel somewhat naseous. Sleep that night is usually lousy. The thought of food is repulsive. I hop in the truck and go down to Glenwood springs, which is around 5800-6000 feet. Going lower after a night up high really helps, almost like hetting a 'reset' switch. The hot springs feel good too, LOL. Again, the water intake continues.

Friday afternoon, I return to camp and walk around, very slowly. I usually am able to walk longer distances with out resting, and am feeling much better, although the appetite is still weak.

When Saturday morning comes I am ready to hunt. I still am not at 100%, but feel pretty good. My appetite is still pretty weak at that point. Lots of still hunting and watching saddles and chutes that first day.

By Sunday, I can pretty much walk non stop on the flatter sections, and climbs get much easier. At that point, I feel fully acclimated.

Look into getting one of those camel back hydration packs. They are the cats meow for staying hydrated. I drink CONSTANTLY when hunting, taking a sip off the hose every 5 minutes or so. I find if I wait until I am thirsty, I am getting behind the power curve and will run down very quickly. As long as I am not thirsty, I feel good.

Every couple of years some one in our group will get a bit congested in the lungs and start hacking. That really sucks, but it will usually clear up in a day or so. Read up on high altitude sickness, pay attention to what your body is telling you, and don't be afraid to go lower if you can. Alcohols effects are intensified, and dehydrate you really fast. I have had one mountain hangover, and learned a hard lesson, LOL.

Good luck, and shoot straight!

[MG - Fishin']

I know drinking a lot of water is mainly the key, but we used to go out to Colorado every year on a ski trip with a bunch of guys, and my Dad would get pretty sick for most of the time we were there. He went in to the doctor and they perscribed some medication for him to take when he was going to be in that high elevation. I'm not sure what it's called, but I think it's like a stronger perscription dramamine of some sort, but don't quote me on it, since I've never taken it myself. But with that and a lot of water it worked and he felt fine out there the last few trips. There's nothing worse than getting out there and getting that flu like feeling. I got it the first time I was ever out there, but mine was cured by taking it easy the first couple of days and drinking tons of water. Good luck out there!!!