| Mountain hiking demands great gear and more | | | | Obviously having 40% less oxygen available to |
| education than your typical trail hike. Why? | | | | your body (because of the pressure drop) will |
| Because as you ascend breathing becomes less | | | | impact you. |
| efficient, passage grows rugged, and rescue | | | | Now if you had a 40% decrease in your ability to |
| becomes more challenging. So consider your | | | | deliver oxygen to your body during an average |
| mountain equipment to be your life support | | | | day wouldn't you be concerned? Add in the fact |
| system. | | | | you're asking more of your body in terms of |
| Where in day hiking you may be able to get | | | | keeping you warm in a cooler/cold environment, |
| away with wearing light-weight boots or shoes, in | | | | you are constantly losing water from your |
| remote mountain hiking it's a good idea to wear | | | | system, your reactions are slowed, and your not |
| heavier supportive boots to protect your ankles | | | | around the corner from the nearest hospital. Your |
| and feet. Walking with a sprained ankle on a day | | | | mountain hiking equipment becomes a more |
| hike is inconvenient compared to trying to limp | | | | important consideration the higher the altitude and |
| out of the back-country mountains with the same | | | | the more remote your location. |
| problem and a heavy pack. Thinking ahead and | | | | Depending on how cold the temperatures you |
| being prepared with the right mountain gear, | | | | might encounter are you'll probably want some |
| guides, and information can literally mean the | | | | good insulated hiking boots (depending on the |
| difference between a minor mishap and at times | | | | altitude and temperature you may need |
| death. Take your safety seriously. | | | | mountaineering boots), hiking clothes, sleeping |
| As elevation increases the atmospheric pressure | | | | bags, camping tents, and other equipment used |
| decreases (amount of oxygen doesn't actually | | | | for hiking rated for lower temperature than what |
| drop until over 50,000 feet) which means there's | | | | you think you'll actually experience. This will give |
| less pressure to 'push' the air into and fill your | | | | you an extra margin of safety. Also keep in mind |
| lungs. Because there is less air going into your | | | | that mildly uncomfortable mountain hiking gear will |
| lungs you'll fatigue more quickly. How much does | | | | become a bigger problem... |
| the pressure really change? According to an article | | | | If you'd like more information about mountain |
| (that can be applied to mountain hiking) the | | | | hiking click here for the rest of the article. You |
| barometric pressure can drop by 40% between | | | | may also want to take a look at a couple of |
| sea level (average 760 millimeters of mercury) | | | | related articles on how to pick the best hiking |
| and 12,000 feet (483 millimeters of mercury). | | | | footwear. |