Mountaineering is an extremely high-risk activity that should not be taken lightly. There are a lot of misconceptions about what is best to avoid mountain sickness and even death. If your are planning to ascend a high peak you should prepare with months in advance, listen to your body and understand the risks that it entails.

Myth: Everyone will suffer from altitude illness so don’t worry too much about it.

Reality: Exposure to high altitudes changes your cardiopulmonary functions. Individuals differ greatly in the rate at which they can ascend without developing altitude illness. Most healthy people can acclimatize to a wide range of altitudes. If you live bellow 1,200 meters above the sea, travel to altitudes above 2500 m carries a risk of high altitude illness.

Myth: the “mountaineers rule: climb high, sleep low,” is commonly thought to aid acclimatization. The only evidence in favor of this practice is anecdotal.

Reality: The Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) has traditionally recommended ascending no more than 300 m/ day with a rest day (no ascent in sleeping altitude) for every additional 600-900 m and no single day gain greater than 800 m.

Myth: There is nothing you can do to prevent altitude illness.

Reality: Travelers without previous experience at altitude should probably use prophylactic medication. If descent is not an option, a portable hyperbaric chamber can treat and prevent progression of altitude illness.

Myth: ‘The death zone is a place where the mind wanders into strange and dark corners…’

Reality:  Above 7500m, acclimatization is virtually impossible. At this altitude, the body can no longer adapt and recuperation is impossible. Do not let your ego decide for you, the stakes are ultimate ones.

Angelica Menchaca for BeMyGuest