I may have an amazing opportunity to experience part of the world for a month but Elevation levels would be from 8k-14k. I can do 20 mile hike in 6hrs now with 35lb backpack but that is Wisconsin trails and I am not sure how to convert that into mountainous land at high altitudes.
The Rocky Balboa part of me says go for it if green lighted I've already accomplish so much beyond what I thought I could yet the the realistic part of me says I may not be ready given it would be multiple days in a row with even more weight and I do feel knee pain at times likely from inflammation and working it harder then its been use to in long time . I vaguely remember from watching Amazing Race so many contestants complaining about how much harder it was stay active at higher alts.
Does that fade for the most part after day or so?

Elevation levels would be from 8k-14k.

They aren't just dropping you off are they? You'll be climbing slowly up in altitude?

Also how much up/down will you be doing? 8 thousand feet on a flat path is easier then 8 to 14 to 8 to 14.

Assuming you'll have time to adjust I say go for it.

If I ever get the house sold I'm going to doing some hiking. Not that high but about 3000-4000 feet I guess. The problem is it'll be up then down then up :lol:

I may have an amazing opportunity to experience part of the world for a month but Elevation levels would be from 8k-14k. I can do 20 mile hike in 6hrs now with 35lb backpack but that is Wisconsin trails and I am not sure how to convert that into mountainous land at high altitudes.
The Rocky Balboa part of me says go for it if green lighted I've already accomplish so much beyond what I thought I could yet the the realistic part of me says I may not be ready given it would be multiple days in a row with even more weight and I do feel knee pain at times likely from inflammation and working it harder then its been use to in long time . I vaguely remember from watching Amazing Race so many contestants complaining about how much harder it was stay active at higher alts.
Does that fade for the most part after day or so?

The Higher elevation will effect performance and at 14k, it will be effected a LOT. The good news is it will effect everyone (some a more then others) no matter what kind of shape they are in and how many times they've hiked that high. The biggest difference between someone that has done it and someone that hasn't is just the shocked look on their face. It's not something that goes away after a few days (Takes a few months to fully acclimate), but the effects are not that noticable around the 8-10k mark. When it really kicks your butt is over the 12k mark.

The bigger issue to deal with is the initial effects of higher altitude. It's not uncommon for people to get severe headaches (due to the thinner oxygen) during the first couple of days. It's always recommended to actually get into the area 2-3 days before undertaking something as strenuous as a long hike.

But don't let the elevation scare you off of such an opportunity. If you hike regularly and consider yourself to be in pretty good shape, you'll be fine and there is nothing like sitting atop a 14k mountain staring down at the world!

I agree with the above poster 8000' isn't all that noticeable but 10k+ starts to impact endurance. Having a few days to adjust to the elevation is very helpful and advisable as some people can react poorly to elevation independent of their fitness. Since you are going for a month after a week at elevation the effects will be greatly reduced. So, where are you going?

increasing elevation results in a decrease in max heart rate as well as pressure difference in O2 (obvious) which are only some of the problems when training in elevation. I live in Louisiana, where elevation is like -25 lol, so i have no experience with elevation, only what i have learned in classrooms. all i can say is be careful, we had two professors die in Nepal while hiking (dont know elevation) because of heart attacks. the body is working harder and not getting enough O2 in return. just be careful.

Your ears will pop going up and down.... :D

well i decided to dig up some of my old noted on exercise and elevation so here ya go. note that acclimatization takes 1-4 weeks.
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·Exercise at Altitude:
oBarometric pressure and air temperature are lower at altitude
§Lower partial pressure of O2

§Lower air density
oExercise performance is altered
§Lower air density = greater performance in sprints and shot-put
§Lower PO2 = poorer distance/endurance performance
·Accommodation: the acute changes in body systems caused by exposure to environmental extremes
·Acclimatization: the chronic adaptations made by body systems to overcome the effects of extreme environments
·Accommodation to Altitude:
oIncreased minute ventilation

§At higher altitudes, you have to breathe more rapidly to reach 2L of O2
oDecreased arterial O2 content
oDecreased plasma volume
§Acute altitude exposure causes diuresis
§The decreased fluid volume results in a concentration of RBC and Hemoglobin
oDecreased blood volume
§If decreased plasma volume, the blood volume is also decreased
oDecreased stroke volume
§A decrease in blood volume = decrease in venous return = decrease ejection fraction = decreased stroke volume

oIncreased resting and sub-max heart rate
§Stroke volume and a-v O2 difference have decrease, which leads to an increase in HR
oDecrease max HR
§30% drop at 25,000 feet
oDecreased max cardiac output
§Q = HR x SV
§Max HR decreases, so does SV
oDecreased max VO2
§Max HR decreases
§A-V O2 difference decreases
§SV decreases
§VO2 = HR x SV x a-v O2 difference
§70% decrease at 25,000 feet
oIncreased catecholamine production
oIncrease blood pressure
oIncrease lactate production at sub-max work
oDecreased lactate production at max work
oAnorexia
§Decreased energy intake
§Increased use of amino acids for fuel
§Malabsorption in the GI tract
·Acclimatization at Altitude: (1-4 WEEKS OF EXPOSURE)
oAdaptation are improved if altitude exposure is done in steps
§Go up 2,000 feet every 4-6 months
oAdaptations are more pronounced when exposure happens during the developmental years
·Adaptations include:
oIncreased number of RBC and Hb
oIncreased O2 binding by Hb
oIncreased elimination of bicarbonate in the urine
oIncrease muscle and lung capillarization
oIncreased myoglobin
oIncreased mitochondria and oxidative enzymes
Catecholamine levels return to sea level values

The problem is that altitude can affect anybody - even people who've experienced it before and didn't have any problems. 14000 feet seems awfully high to me so as stated by others you really need to get acclimatised BUT: altitude sickness can hit you at lower levels too.

let me tell you my experience: I went mountain biking in China last year. we started on 6,500 feet (and were going to cycle up to 11,500). peanuts I thought - I'm Swiss so mountains and altitude should be in my "blood"... :nope: but guess what: I had altitude sickness at our starting level!!! now that was embarrassing! :o (one of the reasons I think was that problem is that I have been living below sea level for the past 3 years...) I felt incredibly tired, my heart beat was at 150 even though the ride was flat and easy and I had a headache. so I stopped cycling and rested (read: slept) for most of the day and then felt much better the next day and the day after that I was back to my usual shape - and climbed up to the highest point of the trip without problems. I was lucky that the symptoms improved so soon, I would have had to descend if they hadn't.

conclusion: don't let the altitude affect your decision. make sure that you get acclimatised for a few days and read up on altitude sickness before you leave so that you know the symptoms and can react quickly if needed. you will have a harder time breathing but if you adjust your walking speed you should be fine. listen to your body, don't overdo it and drink a lot of water to stay hydrated! and finally, let me tell you that for the first few days when you get back you'll be able to perform so much better than before :)

That was some great information guys! Well I discussed it with the group and perhaps its best I wait this one out. Most had no idea about the MS but they didnt freak out as most do. Next year they want do John Muir Trail for nearly a month. That will give me something to train hard and aim for and I don't need a passport for that either!