I'm planning a trip in Europe and had planned on stopping briefly in Switzerland. While there, I was thinking about taking the family up a rail journey that gets to 11,400 feet. The journey would last a few hours. Here's the thing. I get atitude sickness (including at 11,000 feet) as does at least one family member. But I have never gone up and down to a high elevation and back down again within a few hours. Does anyone on this board who predictably gets atitude sickness while hiking have any experience with quick driving or rail trips up and down? Or Harvey, Ken, can you share your thoughts?
Brent N
Brent,
I get a headache at San Jacinto which is under 11,000 ft almost all the time, it just depends on the severity. Under the same acclimitization schedule, I've gotten it so bad that I had to stop every 5 steps while my friend had zero issues. I've had a mild case after spending a week at +9,000 ft.
I have zero issue at the Horseshoe Meadows at 10,000 ft. The point is, as long as I'm not exerting myself, I'm fine. I suspect you will be too. There are people even more sensitive than I am, but I think I'm up there on the AMS-sensitivity scale. I may be short of breath, but am fine otherwise. The level of physical activity is what kicks it in for me.
When you fly, I believe the cabin pressure is set to about 8,000 ft. I'm no doctor, but I think you'll be fine sitting still in a train.
Everyone afflicted by this is differently. I can go anywhere in SoCal on a day hike but I have found it is best for me to take Diamox for any overnight trip above 8,000'. I have friends who get hammered going up Mt. Baldy as a day trip.
Only experience tells the story.
you should be just fine in Switzerland.
exertion, height of climb, length of stay all correlate - but since your situation on those 3 points is mild, I would expect any problems to be unlikely or mild.
Another train situation is different from yours: when they built the long distance train across China/Tibet it exposed people to long periods up to 16,000. It was enough of a problem that it made the medical literature.
The passenger carriages used on Lhasa trains are specially built and have an oxygen supply for each passenger. Every passenger train has a doctor. China train oxygen
Everyone, thank you for the useful tips. I really appreciate it.
Brent