In another post, someone mentioned dayhiking high, then sleeping in Lone Pine as a way to satisfy the maxim, "climb high-sleep low." That is way too low.

Bob P. added a corrective, thanks. I'd like to say that the maxim should maybe say "climb high-sleep lower" to be a little clearer. For the gospel, here is an excerpt from
http://www.ismmed.org/np_altitude_tutorial.htm#goldenrules


The key to avoiding AMS is a gradual ascent that gives your body time to acclimatize. People acclimatize at different rates, so no absolute statements are possible, but in general, the following recommendations will keep most people from getting AMS:
  • If possible, you should spend at least one night at an intermediate elevation below 3000 meters.
  • At altitudes above 3000 meters (10,000 feet), your sleeping elevation should not increase more than 300-500 meters (1000-1500 feet) per night.
  • Every 1000 meters (3000 feet) you should spend a second night at the same elevation.

Remember, it's how high you sleep each night that really counts; climbers have understood this for years, and have a maxim "climb high, sleep low". The day hikes to higher elevations that you take on your "rest days" (when you spend a second night at the same altitude) help your acclimatization by exposing you to higher elevations, then you return to a lower (safer) elevation to sleep. This second night also ensures that you are fully acclimatized and ready for further ascent.