4-5 in Tahoe...

[Philpug]

FEET. Just sayin.

[Gary]

wicked sick.....are you gettin some?

I mean...you gotta be livinging the dream and sharring the experience with the rest of us wanna be's!!!

Is it dry, wet, come on, we're hungry....feed us!!!! 

g

[Philpug]

Goin today. New skis are mounted and wax and ready to go! Another 1-2 (feet) from last night into today.

[Ron]

new skis.... what new skis....... the 108's landed?  Sweet.....

[SnowHot]

Lets just say .......a bunch of boxes with white and black skis showed up at the shop yesterday 


And on to the Good News/Bad News portion of our story........
I 80 is closed so we'll have to wait a bit before we hit the slopes = Bad News
When we hit the slopes there will be another coupla feet of snow = Good News

[Ron]

I am hoping my box from the worlds greatest ski shop.....

[Perry]

I live vicariously through you Ron  , So what's coming?

[Perry]

OK, let me guess, orange boots? (just read the other thread)

[Ron]

yep... check out the thread, its about to be updated

[Philpug]

Enjoyed the first of many great days this season at Northstar.

[Gary]

AND what did the snowgods offer up to you Phil?

[Philpug]

We skied whatever was open and some of the woods in between. Some chest shots and didn't come close to hitting bottom anywhere.

[Gary]

Sound's amazing Phil...glad you able to enjoy! I saw on the news what a mess the roads were.

Did I hear correctly you were on new skis and new boots....?

Results please.

[Philpug]

Roads are fine for people who know how to drive on winter roads

New boots fit very well, just need to soften them up a tad, the 130 is a lot for me. Just need to address a bit of instep bite. The new Kastle MX98 is a great ski also but a bit of overlap with the 88..for me. So, after a half day on them...up on the trading block...Anyone interested? 

[LivingProof]

Check out the Northstar live web cam summit shots

http://www.northstarattahoe.com/info/ski/the-mountain/mountain-cams.asp

Sittin here eat'in my heart out.

rip it for us Phil!

[Ron]

I was concerned about that overlap with my 88's as well... Hmm, are you thinking of going to a 105ish more rockered tip?

[jbotti]

Phil, what length are your MX 98's?

[Ron]

178, mounted w/ griffs- 306 i think.

[LivingProof]

Damn, Phil is a good fisherman!

Makes one cast, gets a nibble.

Does he get a bite?

Can Phil land the catch?

Stay tuned folks!

[jbotti]

I would buy them if they were the next length up. 178 is just too short as a powder ski for me (which is what this would be).

[SnowHot]

These conditions were counted among our many blessings this holiday.


Great snow, great friends and too much turkey.........S'all good!

[Ron]

I would buy them if they were the next length up. 178 is just too short as a powder ski for me (which is what this would be).

No, its the perfect length for anyone south of 6'. The running lenght is much longer than you think and there is very little rise/run. Its actaully a perfect ski for you.  keep in mind my mx98's in a 174 have a longer running lenght than 179 pilgrims and even 178 legends.... 

[LivingProof]

These conditions were counted among our many blessings this holiday.


Great snow, great friends and too much turkey.........S'all good!

Nice skiing Trish and a great way to spend T'day!

I've been waiting for you and Phil to be on skis prior to asking this question. Is breathing while skiing at altitude much less demanding now that you have lived at altitude for an extended period? As someone who lives at sea-level, altitude on western trips is a PITA as ya just have to live with much less oxygen for a week. Perhaps you need to come back to Stowe to really appreciate the difference.

[Ron]

Mike, if atlitude really affects you, you should reallly look into Diamox. Just tell your dr. you are traveling to high altitude. No biggie, it works very well. I know both Gary and I have had great success with it.

[SnowHot]

These conditions were counted among our many blessings this holiday.


Great snow, great friends and too much turkey.........S'all good!

Nice skiing Trish and a great way to spend T'day!

I've been waiting for you and Phil to be on skis prior to asking this question. Is breathing while skiing at altitude much less demanding now that you have lived at altitude for an extended period? As someone who lives at sea-level, altitude on western trips is a PITA as ya just have to live with much less oxygen for a week. Perhaps you need to come back to Stowe to really appreciate the difference.

First and foremost, breathing while skiing at Tahoe is much easier than at A-basin, but still it took some time for me to get used to it when I first got out here, hiking, biking and the usual stuff.
Still, I am not as "out of breath" as I was when I got here, and I'm mosdef not as out of breath as I have been when I ski A-basin, Aspen, or Vail. ?Tahoe is a much easier elevation to adapt to.

If altitude is a problem for you, there are some great products out there that make a huge difference, both natural remedies and medical options.  I hear that the best thing known to be a cure for altitude sickness is ****(seriously) because it increases the oxygen in the blood flow.
But if you use that, and fall, you may have a whole new set of problems.

[LivingProof]

I hear that the best thing known to be a cure for altitude sickness is ****(seriously) because it increases the oxygen in the blood flow.
But if you use that, and fall, you may have a whole new set of problems.

Answer of the Year!!!

I can visualize the conversation with my wife when packing **** for a ski trip!! I'd be wearing one of her tennis rackets over my head - broken string hanging from my ears.

I don't have issues other than those typically encountered in the transition, but, I remember being very tired by the end of the Jackson Hole week last year. I've got a pic someplace of Phil on the last afternoon and he was one tired puppy too. I had not thought of trying a breathing supplement , but, why not?

[midwif]

Mike, if atlitude really affects you, you should reallly look into Diamox. Just tell your dr. you are traveling to high altitude. No biggie, it works very well. I know both Gary and I have had great success with it.

Mike
Diamox is an older diuretic which has the side effect of changing your pH balance. While helpful, it isn't a magic cure for suddenly exercising at altitude.
I don't think ir does anything to change the "out of breath" feeling. One just can't manufacture more red blood cells that fast
to capture more oxygen molecules. Those who live at altitude have higher levels of blood cells than us sea level lubbers.


Taken 2-3 days prior to being at altitude and needed only for about 2-3 days after you are there, it helps prevent Mountain Sickness.
You still need to do the the ususal hydrate, hydrate, hydrate to prevent headaches.

Diamox makes ANY carbonated beverage taste BAD! I have learned to time taking it so I have my daily beer right before the next dose is due!
It also can give you strange tingling in your lips and fingers. Expected side effects only.

The biggest improvement I have had at altitude is because of being more aerobically fit. You have done your homework on that this year. I am betting
you notice a difference.

[midwif]

If altitude is a problem for you, there are some great products out there that make a huge difference, both natural remedies and medical options.? I hear that the best thing known to be a cure for altitude sickness is ****(seriously) because it increases the oxygen in the blood flow.
But if you use that, and fall, you may have a whole new set of problems.

Trish
NICE PIC!
And love the outfit. You look great.

****! Yes, heard the same at HH camp last year! A participant and buddy, neonatal ICU nurse practitioner and pediatric cardiologist were talking abut off label **** uses. They use it in preterm babies! Said it is a wonder drug  for some babies. No puns intended.

And just think about all the skiers trying to ski tall! Just give them a pill and they are skiing more erect as soon as they get warmed up!

On a more serious note, anyone considering taking it for altitude issues should make real sure they have no underlying cardiac/health issues.

[jbotti]

My home in MT is at 8900 feet. We really notice big difference staying there from where we live at 300 feet above sea level. My biggest issue is with sleep and it takes a week or so for that to get dialed in. I take atavan, which takes the edge off and helps me slleep in that first week. I agree with Lynn, aerobic conditioning makes all the difference. If I can sleep I feel fine all day. I do huff when I have to walk uphill but luckily that's why we have lifts!! I really don't think there is a substitute for a good amount of cycling in the off season, and if you can even during the season. I try to combine this with solid ski oriented strength training, with some heavy plyometric focus.

I do think if you are getting clobbered by altitude sickness, diamox is good and possibly necessary. Don't know about ****, maybe it works as well.

At 8900 feet I have to pound the water hard the first two days and I never leave the house in the morning without drinking a liter of water before skiing. I have no shot of holding up if I drink any less.

[Gary]

Hey Mike...breathing at altiude is not optional...and make sure you breath when turning to the right and to exhale with turning to the left.

When going straight, make sure you hold your breath and only stop when you need to breath.

As far as Diamox, it works for me in smaller doses and I'd never go above 8000 feet without it. It eliminates headaches and allows me to breath easier so I can sleep.

My 2 daughters moved from 300 feet to 6000 feet in Boulder. I think it took them 6-12 months to acclimate for running and hiking.

Viagara for altitude...Hmmm...a Lynn....is THAT what you prescribe for Jim??

That could be a whole lot of trouble for guys apres' skiing or getting in or out of the hot tub.

Lynn...you prankster you!!!?

G
ps ...Trish...the conditions look so sweet...glad you're making the best of it!

[Ron]

yeah, at least 6 mos is what I have heard as well and your physical fitness does not have any impact on your sensitivity to HAPE or effects of altitude. Some folks are just not affected. **** is NOT an approved med for altitude and there have not been any scientic studies to guage its eficacy.  Diamox does work and I suggest switching to wine for 48 hrs.....   btw- it doesnt seem to affect seltzer (soda water to you out west)  Gingko biloba does seem to helo somewhat and some studies do show it has a certain level of eficacy but nothing like Diamox (at least for me) sleeping at 9600' in Chile, having no effects. 

[midwif]

yeah, at least 6 mos is what I have heard as well and your physical fitness does not have any impact on your sensitivity to HAPE or effects of altitude. Some folks are just not affected. **** is NOT an approved med for altitude and there have not been any scientic studies to guage its eficacy.? Diamox does work and I suggest switching to wine for 48 hrs..... ? btw- it doesnt seem to affect seltzer (soda water to you out west)? Gingko biloba does seem to helo somewhat and some studies do show it has a certain level of eficacy but nothing like Diamox (at least for me) sleeping at 9600' in Chile, having no effects.?

Ron
I don't know why, but I feel the need to split hairs with you.
HAPE/Hace are very different animals from "the effects" of altitude.

And you are correct, physical fitness does NOT effect your sensitivity to suddenly acquiring one of those on your 30th trip to altitude.
I do believe that being physically fit help mediate some of the "effects" of altitude. Probably since doing aerobic exercise increases your red blood cell count, in general.
And muscles working more efficiently.

My experience with seltzer is the opposite! I find the taste affected THE MOST by Diamox.? But, I agree that substituting wine or a cosmopolitan is a fine exchange for beer for a couple of days! (yeah, I know. We shouldn't have any ETOH the first couple of days )

BUT, never discount the effects of Placebo! The best drug in many cases.

I am sure they will begin studying the uses of **** other than the original. If they are using it in NICU's, then it's got a lot of potential for meaningful use.
Other than helping guys to "ski hard".

[Ron]

lets toast to that! 

[SnowHot]

If altitude is a problem for you, there are some great products out there that make a huge difference, both natural remedies and medical options.? I hear that the best thing known to be a cure for altitude sickness is ****(seriously) because it increases the oxygen in the blood flow.
But if you use that, and fall, you may have a whole new set of problems.

Trish
NICE PIC!
And love the outfit. You look great.

****! Yes, heard the same at HH camp last year! A participant and buddy, neonatal ICU nurse practitioner and pediatric cardiologist were talking abut off label **** uses. They use it in preterm babies! Said it is a wonder drug? for some babies. No puns intended.

And just think about all the skiers trying to ski tall! Just give them a pill and they are skiing more erect as soon as they get warmed up!

On a more serious note, anyone considering taking it for altitude issues should make real sure they have no underlying cardiac/health issues.

Thanks for the compliment.  Its been a great experience out here so far(less than 2 full months)

My experience with altitude sickness relates to my ex.  He has a rare disease that has effected his lung capacity so he required a lot of prep before we took trips to Colorado.  His Pulmonary specialist gave him some tips for altitude prep and said he'd prescribe **** if it became necessary, describing the benefits [insert humour here]
He never got the **** but instead he tried a natural food store option from New Chapter called Breathe http://www.vitaglo.com/nc0237.html
It worked well for him and made many trips to the mountains possible.

[Perry]

FWIW - I know that **** is used for pulmonary hypertension in high doses so it makes sense to me that a pulmonologist would recommend it to help prevent HAPE.

That said, a common side effect of **** is headache which is one of the problems people have with high altitude sickness. So it might help one way and hurt in others.

I agree that Diamox is the way to go and often a low dose of 125mg BID is sufficient to ward off the high altitude sickness with less side effects.

[Philpug]

BTW..It's dumping...again...h ere in Truckee.

[SnowHot]

****......
4-5 in Tahoe.....
Breathing......brea thing........breath ing.......

Are we still talking about skiing?

[LivingProof]

****......
4-5 in Tahoe.....

Are we still talking about skiing?

Most of us can only talk about skiing as our time has not yet come.

Anytime you want to post some more pics of real time skiing or just gloat over the 4 - 5 in Tahoe, be my guest. Color me JEALOUS!