high Altitude in Washington State

“I am planning to climb Rainier next year, but I would like to get acclimated to high altitude before I do the climb.

I would like to do a backpacking over nighter before climbing Rainier for this purpose. I looked over my Rainier NP map and the the highest point on the Wonderland Trail looked to be about 7,000 feet. I was just wondering if anyone knows of a place in Washington State or Oregon where I can backpack and camp up high.

Any information will be greatly appreciated!”

“"climb high, sleep low"”

“I'm sure we can find someplace in Rainier NP to climb as high as possible and not need technical gear.”

“I don't think you can truly acclimate by only spending a day or two up high. You will be coping with the altitude moreso than acclimatizing. Rainier is typically a two day grab it and split climb.

Since you've been a flatlander all your life, I would suggest you try to get in a test climb between 7-10K feet and get a feel for how the altitude is going to affect you.”

“Go to Salt Lake City and hike around Snow Bird for a few days. That should get you acclaimated.

I spent a week out there a couple years ago before I got to the point where I was managing it. I was above 7K most of the time.”

“Up to 1996 I was living in eastern NC at about 100'. During that time I did backpacks out west up to 14k without problems. I agree with above. See if you can get something 10k and see how you feel. Altitude is funny. You can live low and tolerate well, you can live high and tolerate poorly.

As Master Yoda said, "HUMPH, one night at elevation, aclimate you will not."”

“Yeah, if you can get a couple nights in, so much the better!
I live near sea level, and have no issues hiking/backpakcing up at Rainier..in the 5-6 ft range...but, when I went to Yellowstone and the Tetons this summer? Eww...I felt it, every step I took!
The highest you get on the WT is around Panhandle Gap and at Sunrise, and going up the Burroughs Trail nearby. Burroughs gets you in the low to mid 7,000's. That is it. What would do you better is to camp at Sunrise (6400 ft) and dayhike a LOT in that area.
The combo of altitude/sun exposure and being near the ocean can do funky things.”

“Your best insurance against the effects of altitude is to ascend at a moderate or slow pace, and be sure to stay well fed and hydrated. You won't be at elevations that cause altitude sickness for that long, and in order to get acclimated, you'll need more than one night.

I felt the some effects on Mt. Baker (10,778') but I realized afterwards it could just as easily have been dehydration. I made sure I was better hydrated on Rainier and Adams (12,281') and felt no effects -- except euphoria!”

“Come to CO for a week or so prior to heading on over to WA and we'll get you acclimitized.”

“Roam is right, high elevation backpacks are a lot easier to find in CO and CA. Go on a 9 day hike in the Sierra, with 10,000' passes, and 14,000 peaks, and you'll be as acclimated as you can get. High elevation in WA is on one of the volcanoes, like Hood, Adams, Glacier, Baker. If you can go on a high elevation backpack, then rest a week, then do Rainier, that would be optimal. If not a week trip, then climb Hood a week before Rainier, after a diligent regimine of strenuous training in the months previous. If you are going to climb Rainier, Hood is good practice anyway. If not Hood, then Adams, both easily asseccible.”

“you'll be fine Rob. your in good shape - just drink a ton of water and eat high energy food and drink a ton of water and you'll be fine.”

“The Winds will give you a good dose of altitude too”

“The hardest think I had to learn at high altitude was to drink water constantly.”

“ENS,

Just get in shape, haul a pack weighing 60 lbs up a mountain in Penn a few times. You could do an overnight up Summerland, below Frying Pan Glacier. Thats about 8k. Out west stay hydrated, nibble all day. At Rainier you begin about 4-5k, camp a day or so later at 9-10k, summit and back down. Just get in shape to carry big loads. You should be fine but altitude is funny.”