The air is rare

[Moonshot_1]

At Central City Colorado. Son works at one of the casinos. We are staying at same casino as a friend of his had some hotel credits that he otherwise couldn't use.

Real nice room.

Central City, just looked it up, is at 8510' and we're on the 14th floor of the hotel.

We is gonna die. Almost getting winded just typing this.

Even the difference between Denver and Central City is significant.

Few years back I was out here and rode up Mt. Evan. The altitude didn't mess me up this bad.

Beautiful place, but I'll take a beach at sea level. Now.

We get off the mountain on Sunday morning.

[scooperhsd]

C'mon, man, you're probably at 1000 feet (+/- 200 feet) at home. On the 14th floor (figure 10 feet / floor (very rough estimate)), you're currently at 8650 feet. If you're getting winded at that altitude, you're not exercising enough - and you better not go flying commercial either - the midflight cabin altitude is typically 8000 feet or so. The military doesn't even require O2 masks until 10,000 in an unpressurized environment, and civilian planes not until 13,000.

[0leman]

When I was a lot younger, lived at 7200' in AZ high country.  Would work between 8k and 10k' and not notice the elevation.   Now live a little lower at 4K'.    Have gone up to 7K' recently at Crater Lake.  Could really feel the elevation.  Must be getting old. 

[MarkT]

There's a reason the Olympic Training Center is in CO Springs.  Develop more red blood cells and alvioli for more blood oxygen - much better potential when the slightest edge counts.  All ski resorts and altitude towns here have facilities to deal with anyone but especially flatlander's suffering from hypoxia.  I live at 6580ft - 2005meters - that is, 2 kilometers high.  Such that we are acclimated to altitude and when I go high - no problems breathing at all.  Though visitors do have trouble.  Dad's doctor told him he couldn't visit here anymore - might kill him with his cardio issues.  I could fly much higher on thermals in my hang glider than the typical flatlander's 10k limit before donning the oxygen mask.  The air feels really thick to me when I go east.  So does the performance of my Valks increase a LOT - especially noticable when I trailer them, rather than have the power increase gradually.  I recall years ago, the Browns whining about thin air unfair to them, playing the Broncos here - the Post had a cartoon showing them playing with SCUBA gear.

[Moonshot_1]

I do understand that I will eventually get acclimated to it. My son said that it took him 3 weeks to really get used to it.

I'm just here for a couple days. No question we are not in great physical shape. And getting older ain't helping either. The canyon and mountain roads.... the turns never end. Thin air, canyon roads, the dispensaries are beginning to look like a great idea.

Clearly the lack of air causes a negative pressure difference. That vacuum effect is sucking away ANY ambition I have.

Anyway, onto the Georgetown railroad loop today and maybe a stroll of downtown Idaho Springs. Supper with the kids, who live even higher up the damn mountain.

Have to use up the ambition I got left.

Really though it does seem to not be to bad as long as I can get going. It's the starting up that is difficult.

[scooperhsd]

I do understand that I will eventually get acclimated to it. My son said that it took him 3 weeks to really get used to it.

I'm just here for a couple days. No question we are not in great physical shape. And getting older ain't helping either. The canyon and mountain roads.... the turns never end. Thin air, canyon roads, the dispensaries are beginning to look like a great idea.

Clearly the lack of air causes a negative pressure difference. That vacuum effect is sucking away ANY ambition I have.

Anyway, onto the Georgetown railroad loop today and maybe a stroll of downtown Idaho Springs. Supper with the kids, who live even higher up the damn mountain.

Have to use up the ambition I got left.

Really though it does seem to not be to bad as long as I can get going. It's the starting up that is difficult.

Sorry if I came out sounding a bit harsh - it was meant in good spirited fun.

[cookiedough]

everyone is different and even my kid and wife in good shape noticed the altitude adjustment 6600 ft. walking up Clingmans Dome in TN great smokey mountains.   They both said if I went along I would have trouble walking up to the lookout on top.   

[MarkT]

About 30 years ago the wife, my son & I hiked up Pikes Peak, from Manitou Springs elev 6615, 7500ft up to the peak, 14,115 ft, up the Barr Trail.  13 miles, 7500ft elevation gain.  Started at dawn.  I was already acclimated to living here, albeit only about a mile high in Aurora.  Was still a smoker - so was the wife.  Timberline is 11,500ft here at this lattitude.  For the last 3,000 ft I was miserable and taking baby steps.  The wife had one cig at the top then quit cold turkey.  Took me another couple years to quit.  About 1/4 of the way up, a jogger ran past us.  About the halfway point, here he comes back at us.  I said "WOAH pal, where did you go?"  "To the top and back."  "I hate you."  We were going as fast as we could so we wouldn't miss the last cog rail train back down.  cursed if I was going to be battering my joints hiking back down, around midnight or so.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barr_Trail