Altitude Advantage

JEandAsGuide

JEandAsGuide

Active Member
Dec 11, 2012
475
1
Zachary, LA
Anyone have any experience using Altitude Advantage from Wilderness Athlete? Since I live about as close to see level as you can get, I am thinking about trying it out on my elk hunt this fall. We will probably be around the 9-10.5K range but the elk will ultimately decide that. Vacation time will only allow us to arrive 2 days before the season opens and of course we are going to want to start hiking in, get camp setup, and start glassing asap.
 
2rocky

2rocky

Active Member
Sep 10, 2012
290
0
Last edited:
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sodaksooner

Member
Jul 7, 2014
88
0
I have used a product called altitude adjustment for a few years. Don't know if it works or not, but Ive never had any problems other than a low grade headache. Cheap too.
 
HuskyMusky

HuskyMusky

Veteran member
Nov 29, 2011
1,337
183
IL
used it, seemed to help possibly? or placebo affect?

I didn't notice some flushing in my face/redness,

funny thing though I read ginkgo biloba helps with altitude... so I took some, and same thing happened, which is in Alt. Advantage.


so if you try it, I'd take one and see if you feel fine, don't wait til you're in the field...

and or consider Ibuprofen / ginkgo biloba.

Staying 1 night at 5-6k is a good idea then going to 9k+

I'd take it easy at first.

They say fitness doesn't matter, but if you're out of shape and having to work harder...just to move around, how could it not help? also I think running/being in shape your body naturally transports oxygen better/more efficiently.

they say avoid caffeine and eat fruit/veges more carbs...

best of luck!
 
25contender

25contender

Veteran member
Mar 20, 2013
1,638
90
HuskyMusky has it right get in shape do a lot of core cardio and running. Eat right and get your lungs in the best shape you can before the trip. After a few days at altitude you will be good to go. The sooner you start the better you will be.
 
mntnguide

mntnguide

Very Active Member
Feb 21, 2011
980
167
The mountains of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
Altitude can effect everyone differently no matter how in shape you are...I have seen altitude sickness from mild to severe happen to people in great shape. I hiked to base camp of Mt. Everest back in 07' with a couple friends and we grew up hiking and hunting high altitude in Idaho...my one friend got altitude sickness severely half way in, and had to be put in a container and depressurized...he then receded in altitude and attempted again a number of days later and made it all the way without further incident. He was in great shape as well... I have also had numerous clients come down with it as well. . It is a nasty thing to deal with. And when it happens severely it can come on in a matter of hours from no symptoms to being unable to stand.

The best advice i can give from my experiences, staying hydrated almost to the point of over-hydration. . If you cannot spend multiple days ahead of hiking to the high country at a decent high altitude to acclimate, you must focus on hydration and try not to gain altitude quickly! do it gradually if at all possible. If you notice symptoms of altitude sickness, keep hydrating and pay attention and let someone know...It is not something to brush off..it can be fatal if you do not take it seriously. The only true way to get out of trouble if you feel like your symptoms become more severe is to immediately descend altitude drastically and stay down for a night or two, your symptoms will immediately begin to disappear and you may think it was ridiculous, but it is the only way to combat it.

Just take things slow and dont push it the first couple days, and all should be good. Like i said though, everyone's body will adjust differently especially for those who dont get to spend any time at high altitude often.
 
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Againstthewind

Very Active Member
Mar 25, 2014
973
2
Upton, WY
I think everyone has it right. Hydration is a huge thing, ibuprofen has worked for me to treat the symptoms at least when I have thought I felt the altitude sickness coming on. I haven't tried the supplements or anything, but I have a thing about things that appear even the least bit snake oily. They probably work, I am just paranoid and weird. Being in better shape has really helped me personally, maybe its just that I don't get over exhausted and avoid a bit weaker state or something. I also agree it affects everyone differently too.
 
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LaHunter

Active Member
Aug 24, 2012
322
0
N.E. LA
I live in LA as well (about 100 ft). I have used Altitude Advantage for the past 2 years as part of my system and I think it has helped. I also take ibuprofen when I wake up, mid day, and when I go to bed, while in the mountains. Also, I start over hydrating about 1 week before my trip and try to continue throughout my hunt. I will drink 1 liter of Hydrate and Recover throughout the day, along with 2-3 liters of water. I continue to hydrate throughout my hunt. I may even drink as much as 2 liters / day of Hydrate and Recover during my hunt in addition to 2-3 liters of water, depending on activity. This system seems to work well for me.

Good Luck
 
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chsdaddy

Member
Feb 12, 2012
87
1
Los Alamos, NM
You could always try blood doping ala Lance Armstrong. Of course I'm kidding.

But in all reality aerobic training will improve your VO2 max, which is your bodies ability to use oxygen. Everyone is different but regardless training will increase your natural max. And that is what all the hoopla surrounding blood doping is about. Artificially increasing your bodies ability to utilize oxygen, either through removing your own blood and reinjecting concentrated red blood cells (they carry oxygen to your muscles), or taking some drug that does the same thing.

The better shape you're in, with a lower body fat percentage (that's litterally dead weight) the better off you'll be. As others have said stay hydrated so that your pee is almost clear (overhydration can be deadly too) rest when you're tired and take it easy the first couple of days.
 
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