Altitude Memory

Question:

Do you think our bodies “remember” acclimating? I have been to Everest and many fourteeners, and seem to fare better at altitude than first-timers.

Submitted by – James, St. Louis, MO

Answer:

No study shows our bodies “remember” altitude. A few studies suggest our bodies forget: Quite a few climbers have succumbed to altitude illness after numerous successful trips to high elevations. There are climbers, however, who do acclimatize more easily and better than others, a factor some experts refer to as “genetic,” lacking a better explanation. It could be explained by the fact that some climbers are smarter than others, taking their time, eating well, staying hydrated, and balancing rest and exercise as they ascend.