Hypoxic tents assist seasoned Everest climbers in equipping themselves for high altitudes, bypassing the traditional process of acclimatizing on the mountaineer's peak itself. Let's discuss the technical workings of these altitude-simulating devices.
Climbing Mount Everest ain't no walk in the park, mate. About 800 folks try each year, facing a barrage of extreme conditions for the chance to say they stood on top of the world. To prepare for this Herculean task, hopefuls need more than just muscles and grit; they gotta tackle the harrowing effects of altitude atop Earth's tallest mountain.
Lower oxygen levels at Everest's summit can lead to dizziness, weakness, and even serious altitude sickness. Traditionally, climbers have spent weeks in the mountains, going up and down to prepare their bodies for the dizzying heights, minimizing the impact of altitude sickness. But this old-school approach takes time, and many wanna-conquerors are turning to modern technology for help.
Enter hypoxic tents, also known as altitude tents. Popular among alpinists and climbers, these futuristic tents mimic the low oxygen levels of high-altitude environments. They work by reducing the oxygen in the air, allowing you to simulate conditions near the summit without leaving sea level.
In recent years, these tents have been gaining popularity. Last year, a group of British vets in their 40s and 50s used hypoxic tents in combination with controversial Xenon gas to speed-climb the mountain, summiting in a record-breaking four days after arriving in Nepal. The very next day, US-Ukrainian climber Andrew Ushakov broke their record, after spending over 400 hours acclimatizing in a hypoxic tent.
But, what exactly are hypoxic tents, and how can they help climbers achieve these once-unthinkable feats? Let's dive in!
What is a hypoxic tent?
At sea level, the air contains 20.9% accessible oxygen. As you climb, the oxygen levels drop dramatically. At Everest base camp, they fall to around 10.4%, and by the summit, it's down to just a third of sea-level's level.
Healthy individuals have blood oxygen saturation levels of 98% to 100% at sea level. At altitude, that number drops to roughly 87% to 92%. To prepare for such conditions, climbers have traditionally dedicated weeks to months to acclimate themselves naturally in the mountains.
Hypoxic tents simulate the low-oxygen conditions climbers will encounter on the mountain by removing oxygen and replacing it with nitrogen. So, sleeping in a hypoxic tent forces your body to saturate its blood oxygen levels, preparing it for arduous mountain conditions.
Why do climbers use hypoxic tents?
"As you expose yourself to altitude, your kidneys release EPO [erythropoietin], which starts this physiological change that leads to an increase in red blood cells, but more so into a better ability to transport and utilize oxygen," Brian Oestrike, CEO of Hypoxico Altitude Training Systems, explains.
By mimicking tough alpine conditions, hypoxic tents can reduce the time it takes to acclimatize. "Most people, if they're going to the Himalayas, historically have a six to eight-week expedition itinerary," Oestrike continues. "It takes that long for your body to slowly adapt and build the red blood cells that carry oxygen and allow you to climb safely."
But, as with any tool, hypoxic tents have their limitations.
The limitations of hypoxic tents
Although they're becoming increasingly popular among climbers and extreme athletes, hypoxic tents are not a complete substitute for traditional acclimatization methods. "It's not the full acclimatization," says Grégoire Millet, Professor of Exercise Physiology at Lausanne, France. "I would say it's the first step."
Millet adds that even after months of sleeping in a hypoxic tent, "you will use some acclimatization, but not the full spectrum. You can be fully acclimatized in the tent, and not acclimatized to the real mountain." In the end, you gotta hit the mountains for a few days before you tackle any major peaks like Everest.
Who else uses hypoxic tents?
It's not just mountaineers who benefit from hypoxic tents. All manner of athletes use simulated altitude environments to maximize their physical capabilities and access the benefits of altitude training.
If you want to add some horsepower to your training sessions, hypoxic tents might be just what you need. With their help, you can boost your oxygen transportation and usage abilities, leading to improved performance benefits. But, it takes more than a tent to become an elite athlete—it requires hard work, dedication, and probably some grit.
Do you need a hypoxic tent?
For most climbers, a hypoxic tent is an additional, convenient option for acclimatizing, along with high-altitude climbing and intensive training. It's not required for easy-to-medium-difficulty ascents, nor is it essential for giants like Mount Everest. However, for those with limited time or who cannot climb gradually, hypoxic tents can be a valuable asset. So, whether you're planning an Everest expedition or just wanna amp up your training sessions, consider giving hypoxic tents a shot.
Now that you've got the lowdown on hypoxic tents, get ready to tackle the mountain like a boss. And remember, whether you're climbing or just living your life, every little bit helps when you want to conquer the unknown. After all, sometimes you gotta think outside the tent to reach the summit.
_ boatload of resources:_
- Altitude Training Systems - Hypoxico
- Mountaineering: Physiology of High Altitude
- Altitude Training: The Basics
- The Science Behind Acclimatizing to Altitude
- Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness
Science and health-and-wellness researchers have been studying the effects of hypoxic tents on fitness-and-exercise performance, especially for mountaineers. Hypoxic tents, also known as altitude tents, simulate the low-oxygen conditions climbers will encounter on mountains like Everest, facilitating the body's adaptations to such environments. By reducing oxygen levels and replacing it with nitrogen, sleeping in a hypoxic tent boosts red blood cells' ability to carry and utilize oxygen, expediting the acclimatization process. Though hypoxic tents cannot replace traditional acclimatization methods entirely, they offer an innovative tool to prepare for the challenges posed by high-altitude climbing.
