Elevation at Glacier

JohnsonA · Post by **JohnsonA** » Mon May 01, 2006 2:41 pm

I may already know the answer to this but don't want to admit it.

We're staying at Swiftcurrent and will do some hiking from there. What kind of elevation are we talking about. We learned about hiking at higher altitudes at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. It made a huge difference.

Is there anything that can be done to help get ready for hiking at higher altitudes?

Thanks

Ref · Post by **Ref** » Mon May 01, 2006 6:51 pm

I think the elevation is around 4,900 feet. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm mistaken.

Hockey Ref

dorf · Post by **dorf** » Mon May 01, 2006 7:12 pm

No correction needed.

About the only thing you can do to get ready for the altitude is to spend a few days there without doing anything too strenuous. I haven't noticed any kind of altitude-related difficulties while at the park. Unless you're trying to tag a peak, the highest you're going to get is about 8,000 feet.

That said, I personally suffered greatly when I tried to do a 12 mile day in the Bighorns (Cloud peak Wilderness) beginning at about 9100 feet, climbing to about 10,600. This less than 16 hours after I arrived at the campground (elevation 8025') I spent the night before.

Tara · Post by **Tara** » Tue May 02, 2006 7:46 am

I haven't had trouble with the elevation in Glacier compared to the South San Juans, above 11000 feet where I had major trouble (didn't acclimate at all...went straight from the plane from seal level up to 10000). I was maybe a little more winded on steep hikes my last trip but none of hte other symptoms...headache, etc.

Pager · Post by **Pager** » Thu May 04, 2006 1:27 pm

I have terrible altitude sickness when at higher elevations (including the South Rim). I didn't have any problems at all in Glacier. Good luck!

Dave Parker · Post by **Dave Parker** » Sun May 07, 2006 4:55 pm

Well, I just got back from Yellowstone, and got sick yesterday, I was not drinking enough water and ended up with a bit of altitude sickness, my own stupidity, but make sure you are keeping hydrated it helps a whole bunch!

Dave