Egypt pyramids - Peru machu picchu

[Caligula1]

I will be backpacking in 8 weeks in macchu picchu I will have a satellite phone and I will look out for alien intervention and possibly perform carbon dating. Well I need some more light weight gear so of course hit the REI next week.

[Don T. Lukbak]

Originally Posted by Caligula1

I will be backpacking in 8 weeks in macchu picchu

You might want to read up on altitude sickness, if you haven't already done so. Only a few people have died from it at 8,000-12,000 feet but almost everybody experiences headache and sleep disturbance...and you fart a lot (HAFE). If you have a quack with any common sense you should be able to get him/her to prescribe you acetazolamide 250mg or, even better, decadron to nip these symptoms in the bud. Also they serve a beneficial tea. Avoid alcohol. Ideally you will not be rushed so you can ascend gradually.

[GlobeSpotter]

^^^^^ MP is lower than Cusco....so it's actually decending LoL.

Cdude: Plan ahead if you want to hobby in Cusco.

[Caligula1]

DTL I have done backpacking at 12000 feet in Colorado every year so yea I think I will be handle it key is to stay hydrated. Typically it's the first day and a half for adaptation.

GS no hobby plans there. But thanks though.

[Don T. Lukbak]

Originally Posted by Caligula1

DTL I have done backpacking at 12000 feet in Colorado every year so yea I think I will be handle it key is to stay hydrated. Typically it's the first day and a half for adaptation.

OK, then..please excuse the unsolicited advice. My experience has included a few poor bastards near death from HAPE and/or HACE...one common denominator has been they were members of groups and the dynamic there is the peer pressure to keep grinding, even if you feel like shit. Very physically fit individuals are also highly susceptible to altitude sickness because they believe their level of fitness conveys resistance to it. It doesn't.

I agree, your Colorado experience suggests you won't have a problem...individual susceptibilities vary; if someone has altitude sickness he will probably always have it at the same altitude. Sort of the flip side of getting bent on dives.

...and that day and a half of feeling horrible? Fuck that; eating a low dose of acetazoleamide (Diamox) as you arrive at altitude relieves that problem.

[Caligula1]

Roger that DTL. Thanks that was a good point. A few of my buddies in Colorado had severe nose bleed. I had to leave them behind at the base camp catching fish off of three plate river. They had fun though. I like the diamox idea it's on the list now...cheers

[GlobeSpotter]

oxy cans can be purchased en the farmas. you can't fly with them though.

cusco isn't very high and people shouldn't get sick.

anyone complaining on inca trail is out of shape and shouldda taken the train.

there are higher places in the region including highways at >16k...i think rainbow mountain hits 19 iirc and of course the volcanoes like Ampato >20k.

No matter the elevation...some of those 1500 foot rock stair climbs can be a mofo. Goin' down worse LoL.

[Don T. Lukbak]

Originally Posted by GlobeSpotter

oxy cans can be purchased en the farmas. you can't fly with them though.

cusco isn't very high and people shouldn't get sick.

anyone complaining on inca trail is out of shape and shouldda taken the train.

there are higher places in the region including highways at >16k...i think rainbow mountain hits 19 iirc and of course the volcanoes like Ampato >20k.

No matter the elevation...some of those 1500 foot rock stair climbs can be a mofo. Goin' down worse LoL.

Ignorance is expensive and it can be dangerous: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...cchu-wife.html

[Caligula1]

16K is the max I have planned. I am not taking any IVY league delicate darling friends with me. Just me. They are pissed off but so be it. I need the release and and the nature. GS experienced going downhill at the Grand canyon(felt it after 5 hrs) so I will have knee supports for that. keeping the backpack weight at 30+3+2(margin) lbs with water bottles including water purification kit.Thanks guys you folks are brilliant.

[GlobeSpotter]

Lukbak....not a very convincing story.

Try again.

[Don T. Lukbak]

Originally Posted by GlobeSpotter

Lukbak....not a very convincing story.

Try again.

This suit you better: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-a...ulmonary_edema ?

Caligula mentioned he's planning to go alone. My preference has always been the company of one or two, at most, tested and trusted pals, but solo has always been a close second...when you are one of a bunch you are always handicapped by the most ignorant, biggest asshole of the bunch...you know, the shitbird who insists there's no such thing as a keeper hydraulic just because he survived a whitewater run, or says he did, or that the shortness of breath, cough, lassitude, and severe headache he's experiencing can't possibly be AMS because we're only at 9000 feet and ultimately you have to spend a couple of days evacuating his sorry ass. You know who I'm talking about, the nitwit who believes the invincibility of his ignorance transfers to his person.

[Slitlikr]

The only logical reason to hike in high altitude is to hunt sheep or mountain goats.

[Caligula1]

I will hunt lama if it's necessary sir. Trained to survive behind enemy lines sir one time. So the instincts are still there sir. Lol....and thank you. You folks are very caring....

[chloelc]

Originally Posted by Caligula1

I will be backpacking in 8 weeks in macchu picchu I will have a satellite phone and I will look out for alien intervention and possibly perform carbon dating. Well I need some more light weight gear so of course hit the REI next week.

How curious, I plan on visiting Machu Picchu around that time too. Except, being the slob that I am, I will be taking the train/bus up there haha. Are you going to book the Inca-trail tour from tripadvisor or something like that?

[GlobeSpotter]

Originally Posted by Caligula1

I will hunt lama if it's necessary sir. ....

Llama are best grilled.

After grilling, throw out the meat....

....and eat the coals.