Keep in mind before visiting mountainous Mexico

[DonJuane]

I was thinking recently about how not many people I know consider the issues health-wise to be found at higher altitudes. I know at home when I was growing up, around the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner table when anyone began speaking of moving to or visiting Denver, CO, this caught all the "old wise men's attention" at the table and we would always have to listen to a repeat of all the warnings and what to do's and what not to do's if this or that happens. It was a really big deal, at least from what I remember to be moving to Colorado or visiting there and all the precautions and need for education one would consider before making the trip.

But with Mexico it seems different for some reason. When you tell a relative or loved one in the US you are thinking of moving to Mexico, they often just shrug their shoulder and go "humm. ". But the point here is that we so often get caught up in the ideas and changes we are experiencing by coming to this area that we often forget how the increase in altitude can really affect some of us. This is especially true for those with any slight lung, heart or general breathing problems that seem nil at sea level but come out to haunt us in the mountains. (And I do speak from experience.)

In all the overlanding online social groups I am a member of, this is spoken about often and it is suggested to take your time in your overland vehicle while ascending to high mountain peaks to help ensure you don't experience health repercussions and that is often stated in terms of 3-5 days. But in modern times it is no big deal for someone to pop on a plane as sea level and be at 6500-7000' within hours. And true, while they claim airline cabin pressure is maintained the equivalent of 6500' while we're miles above the earth's surface, we don't move into an airline cabin and remain.

Additionally it is sometimes difficult to discuss altitude sickness and issues that are discovered here, particularly if you have lived your entire life at low elevation. If you do speak to someone about the altitude, you often get the standard "doesn't bother me at all" or "after a couple of days I don't have a problem at all". Some sources say that it takes a good 3 weeks to acclimate. So that may or may not be true, while what we notice is what we perceive as reality. But regardless of who feels something and who doesn't, just remember to be very aware of any health issues when coming to mountainous Mexico, and enter slowly if possible, perhaps scheduling a flight in to a lower elevation city near your destination. Stay there a few days, bus to one a little higher and then land in your destination such as Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Oaxaca, Guadalajara, San Cristobal de las Casas, etc and make sure that you feel your best before hitting the highlands. Don't jump directly into the unknown, particularly if you are not a ski buff and have no experience with what happens to or can happen to any of us when we ascend to unfamiliar altitudes.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/newslette...ew_heights

[datgnat]

Interesting post. We've had friends and family visit, and we make sure to caution those with known health issues (heart, lung and, heh, age), and tell all visitors to be aware that they won't be getting as much O2 into the bloodstream, though true 'altitude sickness' doesn't really seem to be a problem (for most people) until around 8k ft

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altitude_sickness

[DonJuane]

Yes, true, altitude sickness is something I've never experienced and I was not meaning to lead the interpretation of what I wrote as only pertaining to that specific area of sickness, head aches, etc, upon the initial assent to high altitude. At the same time I also sympathize with anyone who experiences this type of illness. As recently as 3 years ago I spent time at Wolf Pass, CO and had no symptoms of altitude sickness. However, when it comes to physical activity at altitude that is when it walks its walk with me personally. I've also found that unless you have been personally compromised with altitude issues, they are often hard to communicate to others who are unfamiliar.

Still the sole message I am trying to communicate here is that everyone is different and altitude can create issues for certain people. As one who is a recent victim I serve as my own best witness and informant. At bare minimum, high altitude can effect you and to any extent, and even it if is a slight physical "slow down" over time, you can observe that your lifestyle has been limited. And GTO is a great example of this. Unless you have the budget to live in the city center and never venture out much to the higher stair-access only areas of the city, over time you may not realize it but you go out less, maybe skip meals or trips to the grocery store because you just don't want to battle your hundreds of stairs to reach your destination. This is never more evident than if you spend a little vacation time in Chapala, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Morelia or other popular cities at higher elevations but less of an incline where you may find you are getting out more often and doing more, in spite of the increased altitude. When you have altitude and you add the constant requirement of climbing in order to explore, the two can be a toxic mix for those in less than perfect health.