Is there anyone out there with a detailed understanding of acclimatisation?
Over the years, my sensitivity has increased, with the altitude at which breathlessness sets in getting lower. Early in my mountaineering experience, 4000m wasn’t too troublesome but gradually, year by year over 40+ years, it has become lower. Recently 2500 m was difficult for 2 or 3 days.
But this last 2 weeks, in Arolla, I never overcame the breathlessness until I took Diamox; then things were noticeably better.
In January, skiing in the Grand Massif, acclimatisation arrived after 2 days; almost normal.
The only change I can suspect of being responsible is the prescription of Contiflow X-L to control the almost uncontrollable need to urinate frequently with an enlarged prostate, common with elderly men. Interestingly, Contiflex has almost the opposite effect to Diamox; could this be the explanation?
I stopped taking it before I obtained some Diamox but, although the Diamox produced a reduced heart rate and more comfortable climbing, over a week of skiing before this change had reduced my muscle power significantly and I came home early. Pity, because the weather w
And the company were great.
It might be a range of factors. I’ve never been good at higher altitudes but it seems to have got easier/better as I get older. I had to start on Contiflo (tamsulosin) about 18 months ago, but it’s had no adverse effect on my ability to ski tour/climb at 2500m+. Possibly a combination of age, medication, etc. That said, I think you’re doing very well for your age (I hope I can do things like this in 20 yrs time)!