Two members of our group decided to turn back after about a quarter mile due to severe headaches. My boyfriend and I decided to continue on. We felt ok, a bit tired but as long as we moved slowly we were ok. The last 2 miles to the summit felt like 100. It looked so far away. We just put our head down and slowly made our way to the top.
....
Once on the trail, the 2 miles back to the top of the chute were tough. My boyfriend was feeling the effects of the altitude with headache and some dizziness. He carefully moved along the rocky trail. I felt like I was on the brink of getting a bad headache and tried to move safely along the trail to the chute.
Some thoughts since...All of us were very fit.
We drank and ate a ton! That is probably what even allowed us to get to the top and back with no major injury. I easily had 10-12 L of water plus 16 oz of soda about 26 oz of really concentrated electrolyte drink, 3 PB+J sandwiched, a slice of pizza tons of granola and power bars, gels, triscuits, animal cookies, fruit snacks and such...
Other thoughts...I am no expert but just based on what we did..-Don't listen to the people that tell you the trail from the top of the chute to the summit is easy. They are crazy and must be sick in the head. (Maybe a sign of altitude sickness??)It is hard...
(my underlinings)
just some observations:
yes, you described AMS perfectly.
Being fit does not protect you.
I'd even say you ate and drank too much.
