Alcohol at Altitude: Does 1 Beer in the Mountains Equal 3 Beers at Sea-Level? While living at an elevation of a mile-high or more for over a decade, I have frequently told my Flatlander visitors: “Be careful when you go out to the bars tonight… one drink at elevation equals two or three at sea level!” This urban myth, passed down to and by yours truly and countless others over the years, was established […] Brains Jared Roberts | June 9, 2025 0 Comments
What You Should Consider When Planning a Ski Trip With ski season rapidly approaching, skiers are starting to think about upcoming ski trips. Ski trips can be overwhelming, so it is important to remember certain tricks when planning your next ski adventure. Picking a Resort There are several amazing mountains to visit for skiing. When considering different options, it is essential to keep in mind that the difficulty of […] Industry News Breya Bergom | October 27, 2021 0 Comments
Climbers Use Viagra to Treat Altitude Sickness: Is It Cheating? Mountaineers and climbers have been using all kinds of different drugs and supplements for centuries to help their minds, and bodies overcome the extreme climate conditions and extensive physical toll that comes with venturing into high altitudes. One of the most notable being Hermann Buhl, a legendary climber who credits the survival of his then impossible ascent of Nanga Parbat […] Climbing Blake | August 16, 2021 1 Comment
Too Little, Too Late: Understanding HAPE Can Save Your Life in the Mountains As the weather turns warmer and more people begin recreating in the mountains, it is critical that they are aware of the leading cause of death in high altitude environments: High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). HAPE is a non-cardiogenic accumulation of fluid in the lungs and typically affects people at an altitude greater than 2,500 meters. Being able to tell […] Industry News Jacob Chapin | February 1, 2021 0 Comments
The Invisible Dangers of High Altitude As long as humans have fulfilled their desire to explore mountains, deaths in these environments, while always tragic, have not been unheard of. In early September of this year, 24-year-old Colorado native Daniel Granberg was found at the summit of the 21,122-foot Illimani, a mountain in Bolivia, his death attributed to High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Less than a century […] Climbing Jake Vigesaa | February 1, 2021 0 Comments
Understanding and Managing HAPE For the avid mountain enthusiast, honing the management of risk and wellbeing while being exposed to the extremities of upper alpine environments is for some, what draws us to the challenge of such adventures. At higher altitudes, that starting from 1500metres (4900ft) our bodies and more so our lungs begin to operate at a lower oxygen dense environment and the […] Industry News Martin Elliott | February 1, 2021 0 Comments
The 9 Highest Cities in the World From city streets to mountain peaks, humans live at all different elevations across the globe. Where do most humans live? The vast majority live less than 1 mile high (5,280 feet), however 6% of the World’s population lives among the clouds. Most of the World’s highest cities are centered in South & Central America, with 6 of the top 9 […] Industry News Taylor Stephan | November 3, 2020 1 Comment
The 9 Lowest Ski Areas in North America It’s a fact that people love to ski and snowboard. While getting face shots on a remote Alaskan spine might be a thrilling goal, folks everywhere have fun on snow. Lots of high altitude resorts with huge amounts of skiable acreage get recognition, but what about the little guys? Here are the 9 lowest ski areas in North America: 9. […] Brains Lynn Barlow | July 31, 2020 11 Comments
Update: People Living at Altitude May be Less Susceptible to Coronavirus A new study is linking living at altitude to lower rates of COVID-19 infection, great news for our mountain-dwelling readers. The abstract of the study is below: In the present study, we analyze the epidemiological data of COVID-19 of Tibet and high-altitude regions of Bolivia and Ecuador, and compare to lowland data, to test the hypothesis that high-altitude inhabitants (+2,500 m […] Brains SnowBrains | June 1, 2020 1 Comment
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
Climbers Attempt To Summit Mount Everest In Winter For First Time in 27 Years A team of five climbers from Spain and Germany are currently embarking on a feat that has not been accomplished since 1997; summitting Mount Everest during the winter. The traditional season when athletes flock to Nepal to attempt the journey is in April or May when the cold and wind subside but the summer monsoons have not yet started. What’s […] Climbing Lucy Ferneyhough | February 7, 2020 0 Comments
HAPE: the Number One Killer at Altitude HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) is a major cause of death at altitudes over 8,200 feet, though there have been cases of HAPE as low as 4,900 feet. HAPE occurs when fluids build up in the lungs due to the body’s response to an increase in altitude. When left untreated, HAPE has a high mortality rate. In the western United States […] Brains Lynn Barlow | 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
High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema: The Invisible Killer While there are many risks associated with being at altitude such as hypothermia or dehydration, High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is the most deadly. Pulmonary Edema is fluid in the lungs and, as the name suggests, HAPE is fluid in the lungs due to prolonged time at high elevations. Typically, HAPE tends to occur in people that are above 8,000 ft, […] Backcountry Alex Camerino | February 1, 2020 0 Comments
HAPE: A High Altitude Silent Threat On May 10, 1996, Scott Fischer, a world-renowned climber, and professional climbing guide, slowly ascended to the summit of Everest. Little did he notice the fatal changes happening within his body. He grew increasingly ill and mentally impaired, dying on the descent. Fischer succumbed to High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), a condition occurring at high altitudes in which the lungs […] Brains Clay Malott | February 1, 2020 0 Comments
HAPE: Mother Nature’s Silent Weapon Why do they do it? Why do so many people risk their lives to summit a mountain peak? Year after year we see countless outdoor enthusiasts tackle the powerful forces of mother nature to conquer high-elevation mountains around the globe. While many are aware of certain risks, such as avalanches and freezing temperatures, the leading cause of death in high […] Industry News Emily Crofton | November 8, 2019 0 Comments
H.A.P.E. – The Silent Killer In The Mountains You may think that slippery slopes, nasty falls, avalanches, wild animals, or gear malfunctions are the most dangerous things in the mountains, but you must beware of HAPE. This little, seemingly harmless acronym stands for High Altitude Pulmonary Edema, and that mouthful of words can kill you, literally. It’s the number one cause of death related to high altitude exposure. […] Chad Walker | November 7, 2019 1 Comment
Acute Mountain Sickness | Know The Effects And Risks That Altitude Can Have In Your Body. A Polish woman went unconscious and then passed away last month in the middle of a mountaineering expedition in Manaslu, Nepal. Earlier this year, many climbers attempting to summit Mount Everest lost consciousness and perished on the way to the top. Similar situations happen every year in mountains all around the world. The reason? High Altitude Sickness or Acute Mountain […] Industry News Micho | July 17, 2019 2 Comments
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema: A Silent Killer In The Mountains High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a life-threatening high-altitude related illness that can cripple even the healthiest mountain athletes. When ascending to high altitudes, over 2500 meters (8200 feet), arteries in the lungs begin to experience high amounts of pressure, leading to fluid accumulation in the alveoli. The fluid buildup inhibits the uptake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide, […] Brains Ryan Nadiak | July 17, 2019 0 Comments
Ski Season is Just Around the Corner, Educate Yourself about HAPE When most people fantasize about a big ski trip, the only health aspect they know is altitude sickness. Often times, consuming a sufficient amount of water and overall understanding and listening to your body can be fine and most people do not run into an issue. There is more to be informed about, including HAPE. What is HAPE? It stands […] Featured Article Grant Weaver | July 17, 2019 0 Comments
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