Altitude Sickness – Keep it on the Down Low Altitude Sickness is an all-too-common affliction for mountain newcomers and is always on the radar for even the most veteran mountain-enjoyers. As one increases in altitude, the surrounding air pressure decreases as less air is pushing down from above. Despite common misconceptions, there is no ‘less oxygen’ at higher altitudes — the oxygen content of air hovers around 21% throughout […] Brains Samuel Lawrence | February 1, 2021 0 Comments
Sucking Wind- Considerations for Identifying and Treating HAPE Among hardcore alpinists and weekend ski warriors alike, most have experienced altitude sickness at some point recreating at high elevations. With symptoms very similar to a nasty hangover, altitude sickness is often accompanied by headaches, vomiting, shortness of breath, and inability to walk in a straight line. While altitude sickness is not deemed to be life-threatening, if left unchecked, it […] Industry News Spencer Cox | February 20, 2020 0 Comments
High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) Can Occur At Lower Altitudes High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a life-threatening accumulation of fluid in the lungs that occurs in healthy people used to living at low altitudes who travel above 2,500 meters (8,200 ft). However, cases have also been reported between (1,500–2,500 m.) or (4,900–8,200 ft.) in more vulnerable people. HAPE remains the major cause of death related to high-altitude exposure. Before HAPE was understood […] Climbing Nick Retterer | February 1, 2020 0 Comments
The Dangers Of Getting Too High: High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) It was a cold, brisk, Saturday morning as Ryan flew up the skin track, eager to reach the summit. Bogged down from a stressful week in the office, Ryan had left his house in San Francisco that morning and headed to Tahoe for a refreshing day in the backcountry with his friend, Mike. However, something was wrong, and Ryan didn’t […] Brains Miles Wong | February 1, 2020 0 Comments
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema, “HAPE” – More Than Just Altitude Sickness When travelling from low elevation to higher altitude environments, we often notice that our breathing gets heavier, our heartbeat increases, and we may start to experience dizziness and dehydration. We frequently attribute these signs as the common precursors to altitude sickness or new elevation and changes in climate. When managed properly, these signs typically subside as you adapt to your […] Brains Taylor Stephan | February 1, 2020 0 Comments
What is HAPE? Prepare for your Ascent When it comes to planning your next 8,000 ft peak or higher, High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is a serious factor to consider. HAPE is a form of respiratory failure due to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, most commonly occurring after ascending to high altitudes. The most common cases appear in patients who have recently traveled from low […] Corinne Doerner | February 1, 2020 0 Comments
HAPE: The High-Altitude Killer What is HAPE? The most common cause of death directly attributed to altitude is High Altitude Pulmonary Edema, or “HAPE.” Caused by a lack of oxygen, HAPE is an advanced stage of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). In conjunction with the breakdown of glucose, fats, and amino acids, oxygen is necessary for our bodies to produce energy. Too little of it […] Brains Tony Miller | February 1, 2020 0 Comments
HAPE: High-Altitudes And The Effects On Your Lungs Introduction Traveling to high-altitude places is becoming increasingly ever-so-popular, especially for outdoor lovers and adventure seekers. In Nepal, home to eight of the 14 tallest mountains in the world, the Department of Tourism issued a record-breaking 408 permits to climb Mt. Everest alone, and many more issued to summit the other extreme altitude mountains throughout the country. The demand for […] Steven Snyder | February 1, 2020 0 Comments