Western Hiker -- Altitude

WH News & Notes

Summer Hiking

Let Western Hiker be your guide each summer into Eagle Cap Wilderness in Oregon's incredible Wallowa Mountains.

The 1800 square mile Wallowa Mountain range is located in the northeast corner of Oregon and boasts alpine peaks, steep-walled valleys, and five designated wild and scenic rivers. At the heart of the range lies the 540 square mile Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oregon's largest.

From the Grande Rhonde Valley in the west to Hells Canyon country in the east, you'll have plenty of room to roam along hundreds of miles of trails without crossing your own path.

You'll find classic alpine meadows, the highest natural lake in Oregon, four officially designated wild and scenic rivers, snowfields, glaciers, rock faces, warm sun, the bluest of blue sky, and no traffic, television, phones, email, or worry.

For climbers, the range has seventeen summits over 9000 feet in elevation with the tallest named after the Sacajawea, the famed guide for the Lewis and Clark expedition. Sacajawea, Matterhorn, and many other 9000+ summits offer some of the best technical and nontechnical climbing in Oregon.

-- Barry Greer

Adjusting to Altitude
For most of us who live at or near sea level, northeastern Oregon is a good mountain destination because the altitudes in the Wallowa Range do not go above 10,000 feet (3048 meters). Many of the trailheads start at altitudes below 5,000 feet (1524 meters), which means altitude adjustment is much easier for flatlanders.

At the same time, be aware that altitude affects each person differently. Some people will notice the effects as low at 5,000 feet (1024 meters) and others will feel little difference until they reach 8,000 feet (2440 meters) or better. And the effects vary considerably to simply feeling more fatigued than usual doing routine exercise to breathlessness, especially going uphill.

One of the big advantages to having your heavy gear hauled into the mountains by pack animals is that you can hike in with a light pack and allow yourself to adjust to altitude. Don't rush it. Walk at a steady pace without trying to compete with anyone or with yourself. You'll get there. Drink plenty of water along the way. It is easy to dehydrate at altitude because the lower the air pressure, the faster water evaporates from the human body, even without sweating.

Bring Gatorade or another product that replaces electrolytes faster than plain water will, and also tastes better. And bring along apples or oranges. Eating snacks with moisture in them helps keep you hydrated.

And if you do become breathless, nauseated, develop a rapid pulse, dizziness or a combination of these symptoms, do one thing--stop. Take a moment to rest, and if that does not help, go back down.