Ascending too quickly above 8,000 feet can lead to serious illness. You can help prevent the most serious degrees of altitude illness by taking a few precautions.
Instructions
Step 1
Carry a topographic map of the area you're trekking in and wear an altimeter so that you know the elevation of each of your planned camp spots along your ascent.
Step 2
Ascend gradually above 8,000 feet, spending at least one night at a camp spot after each 1,000 to 2,000 feet of gain.
Step 3
Spend at least two or three nights at camp spots below 10,000 feet before ascending above 10,000 feet.
Step 4
Don't sleep more than 1,000 to 2,000 feet above where you slept the night before. Shuttle some gear up to a higher camp, then hike back down and sleep at a lower camp until your body has acclimatized.
Step 5
Exercise moderately to get the heart pumping. Shuttling gear up to higher points is a great way to get moderate exercise, as is playing light recreational sports on rest days - for example, playing with a flying disk or a foot bag.
Step 6
When you reach altitudes above 14,000 feet, limit ascents to a gain of 500 to 1,000 feet per day.
