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Altitude 21-Jan-2005 At 2:50:35 PM JBM

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The first time I broke 4400m I had a headache, shortness of breath but no nausea. Biggest symptom was poor sleeping habits and elevated resting heart rate.

However, having been to 6000m and over 5000 several more times since then, I have noticed that my body adapts quite a bit quicker now. Still shortness of breath the first few days of acclimating, however, can eat like a horse and sleep like a baby now. I am not sure if there is a physiological effect with altitude as there might be with neuromuscular adaptation and movement, but altitude seems a lot easier to handle the more times you have been up.

Mate de Cocoa (coco leaf tea) is a mild topical analegisic. It acts to soothe the stomach quite well, is not a diuretic (so will not dehydrate you) and gives you a warm buzz. Another local trick is to chew cocoa leaves - this strengthens the beat of the heart and gives you a major buzz - fun to try but not sure of the true benefits.