Does anyone have any experience of using an altitude simulator machine as a way of pre-acclimatising for a mountain trip? I'm off to Kilimanjaro in July and, whilst very excited at the prospect, I'm concerned about the effect that altitude could have - headaches, vomiting, or worse - on what will certainly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Has anyone out there used an altitude simulator with successful results or otherwise?
Also, I'm finding it hard to track down companies that hire out simulators in the UK - two companies that I've emailed have failed to respond to my questions, which doesn't exactly fill me with confidence that they provide anything worthwhile. Any ideas anyone? (I live in the SW of England so can't travel for IHT courses - I'd need to hire a simulator... but is it worth it, and from whom?)
Cheers all, and thanks for any advice you can give me.
I've tried a full altitude simulation course, you'll find all the details here . I know the company brought out a home use version in 2007 and were certainly making them available for hire.
Thanks for the links Dave - very useful! I'll try emailing IO and see what they say about the home use versions. Any ideas what sort of price they were asking for for hire?
Sorry David, I've no idea about pricing. I only heard about the home kit as I was helping them out with advice on GPS trackers being installed to prevent theft.
Thanks again Dave. I've had an email from IO who seemed a very friendly company but unfortunately they've ended their agreement with the company they used before and don't currently hire units in the UK. So it looks like I'm back to square one. From what I've read about simulators though, they do seem to be very useful for people like me who don't have the time to acclimatise to altitude in the 'normal' way, so I intend to get my hands on one somehow before June!
David, if you're still looking for a portable IHT kit I think I can source one. I tried sending you a PM but you're got yours switched off. Just email me if you want details.
Under duress from my (then) GF, I used to sleep in an altitude tent over a period of 4 months. The only descernable benefit to me was that it kept the dog off the bed!
In fairnes it wasn't for aclimatising, just to improve her running so not sure of the benefits for climbing.
You can sometimes see adverts for 2nd hand ones in athletics weekly and similar.
Why.. (and this might sound more negative than I mean to be - and I'm not having a go)?
Ok - I'm sure you'll tell me and I'm sure there are many reasons why it's maybe very sensible (health and safety etc.), but Why? Why?
Take the time on the hill. It's part of going to the hill. It's not a sport, it's an experience. Go out and take the time to get acclimatised. It's a lot more fun to simply do it on the hill. It's the whole point surely? We can (that's why we're on this site) all get hung up about gear and training, but it's just part of going high same as it's always been. It's mountaineering.
I'm not here to denigrate anyone's great equipment for preparing, I just don't think you need it - or maybe you'd be better off just experiencing it over time in the place. We're all on here to an extent because we love the stuff we use to make things more enjoyable.... but before you've even gone? Before you've even experienced altitude (presuming you've not before)? Maybe... because it's there..? Don't become separated form it.
Go to the place (Tanzania is fabulous), and take the time to get used to it. It' not scary, it's just high and you'll be right in no time, many thousands of people are every year... isn't that how it works?
It's a big hill, but it's just a big hill, so enjoy it when you get there I reckon (and do Ngorongoro while you're there if you can!)
I've never climbed Kili, but fwiw, my understanding is that owing to the high park fees charged, people can end up with a quick climb schedule and little time to acclimatise, leading to an increased risk of HACE or HAPE.
If there's a practical and affordable way to reduce these risks it could be worth a look - the OP is anticipating a once in a lifetime experience, and I would guess its probably not a splitting headache
I tried using an altitude tent in running days, when family life prevented proper altitude training, but found it affected my sleep too much.
Hi Jezz, Part of my reason for launching this thread was to find out 'why?' myself, so don't worry about appearing negative about the idea of using simulators - I know they wouldn't be the choice for everyone. Judy pretty much hits the nail on the head though - thanks Judy - we (my wife is climbing too) don't have the time, or money, to get enough time on the mountain to be sure of becoming 'properly' acclimatised. My understanding is that pre-acclimatising with a simulator would provide a decreased risk of contracting HAPE or HACE. I have to consider here that whilst I may be prepared to take the risk if I were travelling alone, my wife being there makes it another matter. God forbid that anything will happen to her on the mountain. If I can lessen the risks to her whilst she follows my very selfish dream of summiting Kilimanjaro, then I will. You say that many thousands of people enjoy the mountain every year, and acclimatise, but that's no guarantee that both of us will. Estimates relating to the number of deaths on Kilimanjaro per year seem to vary wildly, ranging from 3 deaths per 30,000 climbers to 25 deaths in 25,000 (i.e., a range from 1 death for every 10,000 climbers to 1 death for every 1000 climbers). The more I look at those statistics, the more concerned I get. Things aren't helped by the advice of a friend who, on hearing last October that we had booked our trip, announced that she'd lost her best friend to HAPE on Kilimanjaro several years ago. Her advice was a horrified "don't go!"
You may reason that if I'm so concerned about the altitude, we shouldn't go. My answer is that having longed to make the climb for the best part of 20 years, I shan't put it off any longer, but I want to make it as safe as I can. Maybe that doesn't fit in with other people's ideas of what climbing high mountains should be, but this will be a once in a lifetime chance for us, and we want it to be memorable not because of splitting headaches and nausea, but for the challenge of getting as high as we can and the enjoyment that that achievement will bring us.
Added to all of the above is the fact that I'm becoming quite intrigued by altitude simulators and by claims of what they can do. I've read, for instance, that they have cured people of asthma; as I suffer from mild asthma, I'm wondering at the possibilities for my own miraculous recovery! Of course, it could well be that I'm a gullible fool or a marketing man's dream, or both!
If I do get hold of one, I'll let you know!
Enjoy the glorious weather (if you're getting it this week).
David makes some very valid points on health grounds. Anything that can reduce the chances of HAPE or HACE is worth it. Good acclimatisation, by whatever means, will also make the trip more enjoyable rather than something you endure for the sake of making the summit.
Around 30% of people attempting Kilimanjaro don't make it to the summit due to altitude sickness and exhaustion because they take a trek that will fit in two weeks holiday allowance, when an extra couple of days would make all the difference. They may not be able to take more than two weeks in one go, and IHT can effectively give them the extra days acclimatisation before they set off. It's not the same as taking more time and gaining your acclimatisation on the ground, but it can make the difference between fitting a trek into a holiday allocation or not going. It can also be cheaper than spending additional time away.
fair points - I suppose I'm looking on it from when I had no responsibilities and either took as long as I wanted over things, or was very bold I (once did Mt. Kenya in 2.5 days including back to Nairobi =
I wrote the above coming back from the pub with my 'hero' head on. Still, I think if I was going to make all that effort, I'd book the extra days come hell or high water and make the most of being there... but what you say makes sense - It's just that big hills and too much common sense have never come together in me!
2.5 days! Blimey, Jezz, you're a braver man than I. I'm guessing that you climbed Kilimanjaro too then? In a little longer than 2.5 days?
Thinking of the hero head you had on when you came back from the pub, I think I was in the same state when I made the Kilimanjaro booking.
From the tip-off that you gave me, Dave, it looks like I can buy and import a portable IHT system from the USA at around the same cost as a month's hire of a system over here. When I've collected together some money, and - crossing my fingers - the exchange rate improves, I think I'll take the plunge and get one. After our trip I'll consider hiring it out or selling it. Unless, of course, I lose the plot and decide to do Elbrus next...
2.5 days! Blimey, Jezz, you're a braver man than I. I'm guessing that you climbed Kilimanjaro too then? In a little longer than 2.5 days?
Thinking of the hero head you had on when you came back from the pub, I think I was in the same state when I made the Kilimanjaro booking.
From the tip-off that you gave me, Dave, it looks like I can buy and import a portable IHT system from the USA at around the same cost as a month's hire of a system over here. When I've collected together some money, and - crossing my fingers - the exchange rate improves, I think I'll take the plunge and get one. After our trip I'll consider hiring it out or selling it. Unless, of course, I lose the plot and decide to do Elbrus next...
I'd better not mention that idea to the wife
David
Well Dwain Chambers may be looking for a more local supplier
Never bothered with Kili because of the Park Fees, despite having been in Tanzania. Members of the Mountain club of Kenya used to get free park fees in Kenya (which were very low anyway). Also never used to have porters or guides (still don't for club members) - don't know if that's changed. Mt. Kenya was (and still probably is) an amazing climb much more realistic price-wise than Kili - I did it for free! It is an amazing mountain and has a technical section at the very top too
I helped arrange an altitude simulator for my company last year and am doing so again this year for a group of employees who are klimbing Kili. They all used the altitude simulator, and all 16 made it to the summit without any major issues - so going by that I'd say that it helps.
We hired the simulator from this company
http://www.simulatedaltitude.co.uk/Contact.html
I realise this post is probably 3 months too late, but I thought I'd put it out there in case anyone wants to check them out.
