Klarinet Archive - Posting 000318.txt from 1998/04

From: Janet McNaught <mcnaught@-----.com>
Subj: Re: High & dry (climate, that is)
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1998 13:34:02 -0400

At 11:16 AM 4/7/98 -0500, you wrote:
>On Tue, 7 Apr 1998, Jacqueline Eastwood wrote:
>

>> In the Ring Orchestra information packet, they suggest arriving early and
>> walking around the campus to adjust one's system to the altitude, but the
>> way they word it, it sounds like we're all in imminent danger of fainting
>> dead away if we try to blow our brains out on the loud passages!
>
>It generally takes 10-14 days to adjust completely to a higher elevation -
>we just got back from a four day ski trip to Winter Park, CO last week
>(let me tell you, a dislocated shoulder on a fall is no fun), and when we
>first arrived, it was a major chore just to carry luggage up the stairs.
>Even my normally energizer battery 7 and 9 year old kids were noticeably
>winded. By the time we left, we were managing much better than
>initially. The percentage of oxygen is not as high......and I think you
>will experience some interesting changes in how many measures you can
>sustain and at what volumes. We are, of course, expecting a report when
>you are done!
>

In addition to breathing problems, be prepared for altitude sickness - at
7,000 feet, many people experience headache and nausea. It takes me about
three days to acclimatise to high altitude, including Denver. I think it
also depends on where you live - the altitude you are moving from. So
"blowing your brains out on loud passages" may be quite difficult - you ARE
in danger of fainting dead away. If you haven't experienced high altitude,
you may be surprised!

Janet.