Cross country through Colorado....suggestions/tips? (education, health, rain)

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by treedonkey

I'm not sure why anyone would get annoyed by the fact that a lot of people opt for the freeway. If you really enjoy those uncrowded side roads as they are, shouldn't you be overjoyed that the masses stick to the main arteries and blow across the land from attraction to attraction?

I think it wonderful that the sheeple stick to the Interstates. But the OP was asking about a scenic way through Colorado--that's what I was answering.

[Neditate]

Originally Posted by treedonkey

but with all other factors being even, altitude sickness is a lot less less likely if you are young and in good shape.
It's just something people tell us to keep us from getting overconfident and acting foolish, butI prefer to know the truth of the matter.

Those parts.

[treedonkey]

Well, since neither of us has done extensive scientific research into AMS using the same control subjects over decades of time and at drastically varying fitness levels, I guess it's just your word against mine, isn't it? I did say it can happen to anyone though, so I'm not entirely sure what the problem is.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by treedonkey

Well, since neither of us has done extensive scientific research into AMS using the same control subjects over decades of time and at drastically varying fitness levels, I guess it's just your word against mine, isn't it? I did say it can happen to anyone though, so I'm not entirely sure what the problem is.

If I may step in here, I think the problem is that you, treedonkey, seem to think that being "in shape" offers some preventive to Altitude Sickenss, regardless of the point on the spectrum, from AMS, to HACE. This is simply not true, and the research has been done.

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On another matter, Rand McNally lists I-70 from Dillon to Utah as a "scenic route". You don't have to agree with them, mind you.

[treedonkey]

Originally Posted by Katiana

If I may step in here, I think the problem is that you, treedonkey, seem to think that being "in shape" offers some preventive to Altitude Sickenss, regardless of the point on the spectrum, from AMS, to HACE. This is simply not true, and the research has been done.

I never said preventive, I said less likely, and that was only in reference to AMS. I've acknowledged that anyone can get it, I've also acknowledged that everyone should take it easy going up to help prevent it or to curb the affects. The research is not conclusive.

Why am I not entitled to my own experience-based opinion just because it is not in line with what others expect and hope to be true? How is my disagreeing with you and Ned a problem?

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by treedonkey

I never said preventive, I said less likely, and that was only in reference to AMS. I've acknowledged that anyone can get it, I've also acknowledged that everyone should take it easy going up to help prevent it or to curb the affects. The research is not conclusive.

Why am I not entitled to my own experience-based opinion just because it is not in line with what others expect and hope to be true? How is my disagreeing with you and Ned a problem?

Your experience is just that: your experience. The results of the researchers is otherwise. Statistically, "There are no specific factors such as age, sex, or physical condition that correlate with susceptibility to altitude sickness."

[vegaspilgrim]

Just about every rural highway between I-25 and the Pacific Ocean is pretty scenic, IMO-- I-70 included.

[treedonkey]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Your experience is just that: your experience. The results of the researchers is otherwise. Statistically, "There are no specific factors such as age, sex, or physical condition that correlate with susceptibility to altitude sickness."

As long as you're quoting singular sources to support your own beliefs as if they are undeniably factual, did you happen to catch this little tidbit from that same paper:

'This paper is prepared to provide basic information about altitude illnesses for the lay person. Medical research on high altitude illnesses is always expanding our knowledge of the causes and treatment. When going to altitude it is your responsibility to learn the latest information. The material contained in this article may not be the most current. Copyright © 1995 Rick Curtis, Outdoor Action Program, Princeton University.'

So even the author acknowledges that the research (which he just pulled from other sources) was not complete or conclusive when he wrote this 15 years ago.

Or how about this one:
Keep in mind that different people will acclimatize at different rates.

Or this one:
Take it easy; don't over-exert yourself

Or this:
Avoid tobacco and alcohol and other depressant drugs...

Any of those sound like health or fitness factors to you?

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by treedonkey

As long as you're quoting singular sources to support your own beliefs as if they are undeniably factual, did you happen to catch this little tidbit from that same paper:

'This paper is prepared to provide basic information about altitude illnesses for the lay person. Medical research on high altitude illnesses is always expanding our knowledge of the causes and treatment. When going to altitude it is your responsibility to learn the latest information. The material contained in this article may not be the most current. Copyright © 1995 Rick Curtis, Outdoor Action Program, Princeton University.'

So even the author acknowledges that the research (which he just pulled from other sources) was not complete or conclusive when he wrote this 15 years ago.

Or how about this one:
Keep in mind that different people will acclimatize at different rates.

Or this one:
Take it easy; don't over-exert yourself

Or this:
Avoid tobacco and alcohol and other depressant drugs...

Any of those sound like health or fitness factors to you?

Yes, I know that's a 1995 paper. The only thing that sounds like a health factor is avoiding tobacco products. Plenty of athletes drink alcohol and take various drugs, legal and illegal.

Different people will acclimatize at different rates doesn't say anything about why. It also doesn't say, take it easy and don't overexert if you're not "fit". That advice is for EVERYBODY.

Here is a much briefer, more consumer-oriented article from 2009:

High-Altitude Illness: How to Avoid It and How to Treat It -- familydoctor.org

People who have coronary artery disease, mild emphysema or high blood pressure aren't at greater risk of high-altitude illness than people who don't have these diseases. They also don't risk making their disease worse by traveling to a high altitude. In addition, being overweight does not increase the risk of getting high-altitude illness.

[sterlinggirl]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Yes, I know that's a 1995 paper. The only thing that sounds like a health factor is avoiding tobacco products.

Avoiding tobacco isn't a factor.

Acute mountain sickness: influence of susceptibility, preexp... : Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

Exercising at altitude is a factor.

http://***.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/88/2/581

People who have had radial keratotomy corrective eye surgery should not go to high altitudes because their vision may permanently cloud.

FMSO Document - Ground Combat at High Altitude