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Altitude Illness, also called Acute Mountain Sickeness
(AMS), is a condition caused by the human body's exposure to a lower
partail pressure of oxygen at higher elevations. High altitude is
defined as more than 5,000 feet above sea level.
Downtown Taos and Santa Fe are both situated at about 7,000 feet.
And that's in the lower elevations, at the base of the
mountains! The Village of Taos Ski Valley sits at about 9,200'.
Our snowshoe adventures usually take place between 9,000' and 12,000'
above sea level, in the snow covered, alpine peaks of New Mexico's
Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Symptoms of AMS include headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, shortness
of breath, loss of appetie, and dehydration. Typically, these symptoms
go away with rest at elevation, and proper nutrition and hydration.
Try to avoid brain and respiratory depressants, such as alchohol,
tobacco, and sleeping pills. Getting plenty of rest before
you leave for an active vacation at altitude, is a good idea.
We always recommend that our guests stay in the Taos or Santa Fe
area for a few days, prior to any physical activity at high elevations.
The rate of acclimatization is different for everyone, and AMS tends
to cross the traditional lines of fitness, age, gender, and even
medical history. We also recommend increasing your water intake
by a liter a day, so you are accustomed to drinking more water at
altitude. Perfusory herbs, such as Ginko
Biloba, can increase bloodflow to the brain, and have been shown
to be effective as a preventative.
Our experienced Snowshoe Guides are highly trained and certified
in wilderness medicine, and know how to identify the signs and symptoms
of early altitude illness (AMS), when those symptoms may be progressing
into something more serious, and what to do about it.
Taos Snowshoe Adventures takes your health
and well being very seriously, and we always lean on the side of
caution and conservatism, when it comes to guiding our clients in
the winter backcountry. If you have any questions or concerns about
snowshoeing at altitude, or the guided tours we offer, please give
us a call.
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