Situated in the Rocky Mountains at 8,500 ft (2,600 m), Snowmass Village, Colorado is a spectacular setting for the Colorado InviHASHional, with terrific hashing terrain and awesome scenery.  Unfortunately, at every InviHASH a few participants enjoy the surroundings (and the hashing) less than they could, due to discomfort associated with altitude sickness.  The following few paragraphs contain some generic information on altitude sickness, provided as a simple guide for InviHASH participants.  For professional medical advice, please consult a physician.

Altitude sickness (actually, acute mountain sickness, or AMS) occurs when the body is unable to adjust quickly enough to the relatively lower pressure/density of oxygen at high elevations. As a point of reference, the "formal" medical definitions of altitude are:

• High Altitude: 5,000 - 11,500 ft (1,500 - 3,500 m)
• Very High Altitude: 11,500 - 18,000 ft (3,500 - 5,500 m)
• Extreme Altitude: Above 18,000 ft (5,500 m)

Practically speaking, the medical community isn't particularly concerned about elevations under 8,000 ft (2,500 m) because altitude illness rarely occurs at below this level. Since the InviHASH is slightly above this invisible threshold, we expect a few hashers travelling from sea level to 8,500 ft (2,500 m) in only one day will develop some form of the illness. Young, physically fit people are just as likely to suffer from altitude sickness as anyone else.

Symptoms of mild altitude sickness include:

• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Insomnia
• General malaise

More serious forms of altitude sickness, such as high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), are extremely rare at 8,500 ft.  However, some medical conditions can increase the likelihood of contracting severe forms of altitude sickness.  Therefore, hashers with chronic health problems should consult a physician before attending the InviHASHional.  Others are advised to follow the guidelines below to prevent altitude sickness.

Before your trip:

• Try to plan your itinerary so that you can acclimatize slowly to the high elevation, by ascending over two days.  Even if you intend to "never, ever leave the camp," you might want to consider spending a night at 5,000ft (1,500m) in Denver or Boulder before heading up to Snowmass Village. (Acclimatization is the process of the body adjusting to the decreased availability of oxygen. It is a fairly slow process, taking place over a period of several days.)
• Be sure to bring mild analgesics (ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen) for headaches or discomfort.
• If you cannot avoid going from low altitude to Snowmass Village in one day, or if you already know you are susceptible to altitude sickness, ask your physician for a prescription for the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide (Diamox).  This medication accelerates acclimatization by increasing excretion of bicarbonates, re-acidifying the blood, and stimulating respiration.  (For contraindications and information on possible side effects, consult your pharmacist or physician.)

During your trip:

• Limit strenuous activity on your first day in Snowmass Village.
• Drink lots of water, and eat light high-carbohydrate meals.
• Avoid alcohol (yea, right) and sleeping medications.

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Please note that the advice here is intended only to alert people to potential problems.  Anyone with a serious medical condition, and anyone who should happen to actually develop altitude sickness, should get professional medical advice.

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