WhatShouldITellThisPerson?

“I got this email..

"On to important
matters, my wife and I are going to Gatlinburg March 10th to the 15th would
like your advice on day hiking in the area. Two years ago we did about 30
miles in and out. The only problem we had, was Colleen's inability to breath
while walking to Charles Bunion. She had a head ache at that elavation. "

So I pointed them to the pulminary edema thread.. but my first reaction was.. altitude?.. what altitude!.. can you get those syptoms at 5000 feet?”

“sorry.. symptoms.”

“Supposed to be above 7500-8000 ft, but going from sea level to 5000 can be noticable, especially an unfit person.”

“I will ask if she is fat.. *s*”

“I got a headache at Stratton Bald last fall at about 5200 feet, and attribute it to the sudden change in altitude. Where I live it's slightly below sea level.”

“You can also get a headache at any elevation if you don't drink enough water. There's an awful lot of things besides altitude that can cause a headache.”

“Liberals give me a headache.

Damn! i forgot, I can't say that anymore, I'm a union rep.”

“I had the exact same problem once. I live at sea level. Hanging around town for a few days before hitting the bunion or hitting lower elevation trails at first is best. I should know. I'm way out of shape too.”

“I've seen:
Two youngsters 15 to 18 get sick hiking from Cosby to Low Gap (el. 4242).
A woman got sick hiking from Davonport to Cosby Knob Shelter.
A man about 30 got sick hiking from Fontana Dam to Mollies Ridge Shelter.
One boy about 12 got sick hiking with a group from the Smoky Mtn. Institute up the Gregory Ridge Trail and over to CS #13.

These sick ones all were with groups whose plans had to be changed as the illnesses lasted at least from two to three days. In all cases the cause seemed to be overexhaustion. They all had headaches, were nauseous and weak, and just felt miserable.

So, I would suggest:

1. Go easy. Not everyone can do strenous things right off the bat. Build up to it gradually or keep all the hikes easy.

2. If she has a headache at higher elevations before hiking, it may indicate a medical problem. Return down and try some low elevation hiking.

3. If you decide to keep all the days restricted to easy hikes, it may be necessary to move around the Park.

4. Another option would be to day-hike on easy trails. Set up a base site and just carry fanny packs with water, a little food, and some first aid items.

5. Some of the easiest overnight destinations in the Park include campsites 1, 18, 20, 35, 39, 40, 50, 65, 66, 67.

Good luck.”

“Tell him to drop Colleen and find someone who can hike.”

“Perhaps her hubbie was in the mood?”

“I've found one sure way of getting a headache while backpacking.. Altitude doesn't matter.

On a normal day to day, I work with computers... My eyes typically don't have to refocus often.

In the woods I'm looking everywhere... My eyes dart from treetops to that great view over that ridge to trees 1000 feet away, then down to that mud puddle that I just stepped in, then watch that deer in the distance. My eyes are not used to doing this... Most peoples aren't. If your eyes are out of shape, you will get a headache. Guaranteed!!

When first starting the hike, try to keep your eyes focused at a comfortable distance, most of the time (like the trail 10 - 20 feet away).

Do this for the first part of the hike and you'll help avoid the headache.”