Sorry to revive a dead post. I want to share a nasty altitude experience.
I'm southbound through the Americas and now Ecuador is the first sustained, serious altitude. After two weeks of acclimation (Quito 2800 metres) and day trips to progressively higher altitudes (4-5000 metres), I thought I was doing OK. I failed to recognize my shortness of breath as a warning. Idiot.
I continued on backroads over 5000 metres and camped/hostaled at 4000 metres.
A week ago my inability to breathe became serious, along with loss of cognition and severe fever. I was deteriorating quickly and unable to help myself. I'll spare you the messy details. A week at much lower altitude has cleared my lungs mostly, but headaches and fever persist.
I'm probably more suceptable than average and definitely more stupid for ignoring warnings. If you are riding high, please take precautions.
Steve
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altitude_sickness
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