Sunday, July 11, 2010

Going To The Top Of the World With the Heavy Hitters

ON MY WAY TO CHURCH, but will be back to write a little more about the grueling hike yesterday with some of Jackson Hole's biggest hikers. I fell a little short of the top due to extreme altitude adjustment and very thin air (need a few more weeks to make more red blood cells to carry the sparser oxygen.). It was a sensational day of pushing ourselves to new heights and the best of camaraderie. The hike was to Jackson Peak (10,715' at summit), 10.4 miles distance, 2,723 ft elevation gain, 7 hours, 52 minutes. I made it to just about 10,500' before my body screamed Stop! and I reluctantly obeyed.


Photo credits: EW, leader of the pack.

2 comments:

William said...

How does a 25 mile (round trip) hike with 5000' elevation gain sound? In the Rockies? No. You can do this in the east. Fontana Lake to Clingman's Dome via Forney Creek. I've done it three times (with 2 different ladies). A 12 hr day hike.

I expect to be doing this hike when I'm older than you.

JM said...

Effectively adjusting to high altitude takes much longer than a week. The lower oxygen density stimulates the bone marrow to produce the extra red blood cells you'll need for transporting oxygen. Your blood level might go from 15 gms/dl to 17/18. Might take as much as 6 weeks to max out the blood level, and for all the other physiologic adjustments to be complete.