This discussion explores the multifaceted impacts of living at high altitudes, ranging from physiological effects and personal experiences to practical considerations and subjective preferences.
Acclimatization and Physiological Responses to Altitude
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the challenges and processes of acclimatizing to higher elevations. Users share personal anecdotes about experiencing difficulty breathing, headaches, and reduced physical performance when arriving at altitudes above 5,000-7,000 feet. The concept of acclimatization is presented as a gradual process, with some suggesting specific strategies for adaptation.
- "I wonder if they're confusing the cause and effect. Do people who live above 8k feet not die of heart disease or do people with heart disease find it too difficult to live above 8k feet so only people without heart disease live above 8k feet?" - sparrish
- "As I got off the plane I was gasping a bit and I woke up 3 or 4 times the first night gasping for air. I didn't have any problems visiting Denver at 5000 feet in years past but I was absolutely feeling it at 7200." - leetrout
- "My dad visited Machu Picchu. He was doing poorly and the guides put him on oxygen. They were well prepared for it, as it happens a lot and is not very predictable. It's at 8,000 feet." - WalterBright
- "The best defense is to start at 5,000 feet and stay there for 3 days, drinking water like crazy and resting. Then, come up to the higher elevation and give yourself a day or two to adjust. That usually works." - bix6
- "In a nutshell, where you sleep matters. 7,000' is free, and a conservative pace is to sleep 1,000' feet higher each night." - Syzygies
- "I felt like I was adjusted 90% adjusted about 2 weeks in, like I could walk at a normal speed. ... Even at week 6 I barely started to be able to keep up on climbs." - exabrial
- "It now takes me almost 2 weeks to aclimate, but once I do, boy, is it amazing." - justinc8687
- "Potentially not even so high as that. You often see 2,500 m (8,500 ft) used as the beginning of "high altitude" - at that point some studies have detected cognitive effects from long-term exposure." - daemonologist
- "I was living in Antigua Guatemala which is about 1700m. From there I hiked Pacaya to 2200m, and Acatenango to 3600m, where I also spent a night. Couldn’t say I noticed something different." - skwee357
Health Benefits of High Altitude Living
A primary theme is the potential health benefits associated with living at high altitudes, particularly regarding cardiovascular health and reduced mortality from heart disease. However, there's also a discussion about the potential negative health impacts, such as increased UV exposure.
- "Living at high altitude reduces risk of dying from heart disease", but you're litereally locked in your house because the sun takes every chance to fry you. I'm okay with not reducing my risk of dying from heart disease." - tonkinai
- "No, you just wear long sleeve shirts and a hat." - IncreasePosts
- "I remember working at a hospital... In Memphis, I’d probably see 7-10 heart related issues a day... By contrast, in Boulder I saw maybe 1-2 heart attacks a year. It was absolutely astounding." - danielvaughn
- "Boulder is one of the most fit places in the country. Lowest obesity rates, as you would expect from the first statement." - e40
- "Higher UV… Theoretically solar cells designed for more more UV intensity could produce quite a lot more electricity." - zeristor
Practical Challenges and Modifications for High Altitude Living
Several users highlight practical adjustments and challenges that arise from living at high altitudes, particularly concerning cooking and food preparation. The lower boiling point of water affects various culinary processes, from cooking grains and beans to brewing coffee and baking.
- "One other fun thing about living at altitude is that the recipes you use need to be redesigned because the boiling point of water is lower." - purpleflame1257
- "There's a (relatively) small impact on cooking grains and pasta and stuff, but even at 5000 ft where I live beans can easily take 2x as long to cook. It's a challenge." - addaon
- "Hmm, is coffee a problem? (some of the extraction depends on temperature, but if water boils before reaching that temperature then the extraction wouldn't work...)" - eichin
- "One can compensate with (steam)pressure and/or duration. Or cold brewing. In practice I note not that much difference at about 2500m altitute, where my main residence is. French/Aeropress suffices. 100°C isn't necessary. Even only 90°C suffices." - LargoLasskhyfv
- "Yes! I like to vacation in the summer at Mammoth Lakes (~8000 ft ~2400m) and coffee is a bit of a problem. I like weak coffee and compensate for altitude by adding more grounds, but it's really not the same." - cjensen
- "Espresso machines work at high pressures (8-9 bar) so it's less of an issue with those." - jillesvangurp
- "I remember the kettle took forever at ~ 9000 ft (near Huanglong, Sichuan Province)." - dalf
- "It's not just the boiling point. Food tastes less salty as well. I once cooked a stew for friends at 8000 ft. I thought I had made a mistake because it tasted so bland." - mch17
- "There are lots of little things about living at high altitude people don't think about, such as cooking times and quirks, sealed containers exploding when going up, etc." - arminiusreturns
The Appeal of Mountains and Outdoor Activities
A strong theme is the aesthetic beauty of mountains and the strong draw they hold for many people, fostering an active lifestyle and providing a unique form of recreation and rejuvenation. Users express deep appreciation for the natural environment, the sense of insignificance evoked by vast landscapes, and the diverse range of outdoor sports available.
- "Mountains are objectively aesthetically pleasing to humans. They also retain the most wild and specific nature around, especially in western world where in the past mostly agriculture changed environment forever." - jajko
- "Air is much cleaner, you see far and you feel utterly insignificant up there." - jajko
- "Mountains also allow tons of various sports most of the year as you mention and attract such crowds. Overall, people go in droves to mountains every year, summer and winter, to recharge." - jajko
- "I live in best possible place in the world for people like me, 1h drive from home and I am right below Mont Blanc, towering almost 4km higher than Chamonix valley." - jajko
- "I live an active life style at sea level, but man, people living in small towns in the mountains love the outdoors. We were active every day of the week: riding, hiking, climbing, etc." - exabrial
- "tim333: I was thinking there's probably a correlation between high altitude living and getting exercise which may explain the lack of hear attacks. My main high living experience was the Everest area like Namche Bazaar and there are no roads or cars so everyone walks." - tim333
- "I grew up in the mountains at about 8500 ft, but was often spending my freetime at higher elevations surrounding the village." - arminiusreturns
- "I miss the mountains so much all the time, and hope to retire back up there." - arminiusreturns
- "I remember doing sport was harder, especially running. The first time I arrived to San Cris, I remember the fresh air." - skwee357
The "Extremeness" of High Altitude Pursuits and "Idiocy"
The discussion touches upon the perception of extreme activities like climbing Mount Everest, with some users deeming those who undertake such challenges as "idiots." This is met with a counterpoint that individuals pursuing more technical and dangerous climbs often have a different perspective on what constitutes a "normal" or "easy" life, contrasting their pursuits with sedentary office work.
- "People who climb it repeatedly are, in my not-so-humble opinion, idiots." - WalterBright
- "Yes people who climb Everest (in this time) are touristic idiots, even people who climb it "~alpine style"." - BSDobelix
- "However people who climb more interesting (for example Gasherbrum IV 8000m, Muztagh Tower 7200m, Thalay Sagar 7000m or Trango Towers 6200m) Mountains (in alpine style) would call people who sit 8 hours a day in front of a screen "idiots" ;)" - BSDobelix
Acclimation and Personal Limits
The conversation raises questions about how individuals determine their personal limits and needs regarding acclimatization, with some expressing surprise at the slow acclimation processes described by others.
- "This is crazy to me as I usually only get 1 acclimation night in before going up. I’m curious how people can find their limits / needs?" - bix6
- "MitPitt: On the contrary, do people who live high above for years have any trouble when coming back down?" - MitPitt
Confounding Variables and Demographics
Users point out that studies or observations linking high altitude to health outcomes might overlook confounding variables such as socioeconomic status, age, lifestyle, and general population health.
- "you have experience in 2 very different places demographically. High altitude may be on the list of factors but I would guess it’s pretty far down. Boulder is a small college town of mostly affluent younger people. Memphis is an urban city in a hot climate that is older, poorer, and in the middle of the section of the US that has some of the worst health overall." - rubidium
- "I really do wonder how big of that is a genetic factor and how big just being more acclimated to the altitude and the region?" - akshitgaur2005
Miscellaneous Observations
Several other points are raised, including the effect of altitude on taste perception, the general impact of altitude on daily life, and the comparison between mountain and beach vacations.
- "It's not just the boiling point. Food tastes less salty as well." - mch17
- "Probably why airplane food is made extra salty to compensate for the rise in altitude" - sharadov
- "And its a different recharge compared to some beach holiday, much more active and I dare to say a more effective one" - jajko
- "Note that 8000ft is the regulatory maximum cabin altitude in a plane, although many keep it lower" - userbinator