Backpacking in the Mountains

After having backpacked trails throughout favorite wilderness spots some backpackers are looking for a more gratifying challenge; backpacking in the mountains. Sometimes it is not the gratification of being able to do something different, something more exciting, but the need to merely try something different. Many backpackers enjoy the adventure and want to explore as many interesting places as they have the opportunity to see. But with each new exploration come new challenges and new things to learn.

Having felt that hiking on trails has been mastered they want to move on. The next step could be to try backpacking in higher altitudes. The opportunity to do a little mountain climbing can be very enticing. But like so many other things it can also be fraught with dangers for the inexperienced person backpacking through new territory. Make sure you're in good physical condition before embarking on this new backpacking adventure.

The first thing the backpacker must learn is that their body will have to get used to the different altitude. Their heart will beat faster even when they are relaxing. Their breathing will also change as the body tries to develop a better method of getting enough oxygen to the blood. While you are hiking the body is working overtime to get oxygen to the muscles, the blood, and other tissues to keep you going on our adventure. Be patient with these adjustments.

Unfortunately not everyone can make the transition from backpacking on wilderness trails to ascending mountains. If it is going to be a problem the signs will show up anywhere from six to forty eight hours after the ascent has reached eight thousand feet. If that point is where the ascent stops these symptoms can stop after another day or as long as three days later. The condition is known as Acute Mountain Sickness. It can be made worse by the simplest things like poor weather during the ascent; this includes strong winds or days that are colder than expected. Being too tired or dehydrated can also be causes of this condition. As well, if a backpacker has suffered Acute Mountain Sickness, know as AMS, before they are at a high risk for it happening again.

The symptoms can be mistaken for tiredness and so the person must be watched carefully. These symptoms include a headache upon awakening, dizziness, excessive tiredness, and restlessness, breathing difficulties, appetite loss or nausea. The most apparent symptom may be swelling of the face and hands. There is not much that can be done on the mountainside. The best thing to do is to not go up any further. Weather permitting the backpacker can stay where they are and rest. If this is their choice they should take something for the headache, drink water and relax. The other alternative is to go back down the mountain.

There are some medications that have had great success with preventing AMS. You must first discuss these with your heath care provider to make sure they're safe for you to take.

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