Mountain Camping

What is the difference between forest camping and mountain camping? Good question. The answer: mostly elevation. You can do a lot of nice forest camping in some places without having to climb to high elevations, but, of course, many of the most beautiful and serene forest campgrounds are in the mountains. Pretty much all of the preparations for forest camping apply to mountain camping, but there are additional considerations to keep in mind as you go higher into the mountains.

Preparing your vehicles for mountain camping. Most internal combustion engines are sensitive to elevation because the air pressure and oxygen content varies according to elevation. The higher you go, the lower the oxygen content. The percentage of oxygen is the same as it is at lower elevations, but the density means there is less oxygen per cubic foot -- affecting both vehicles and living beings. Many newer vehicles with computer-controlled ignition systems self adjust to changes in elevation but if you have an older, carburated engine in your RV, tow vehicle, or OHV, you may have to make adjustments in order for it to function properly at higher altitudes. The adjustments may include changing the size of the jets in the carburetor.  Having the wrong size jets or wrong adjustment will reduce performance and fuel economy and could damage the engine. We routinely had to re-jet our dirt bikes when moving between the desert (elevation around 4,000') and the Sierra's (elevation about 9,000').

Preparing your body for mountain camping. Your body is also sensitive to changes in elevation. Air density and therefore the amount of oxygen available to your lungs is lower as altitude increases. If you move quickly from a low elevation to a higher one you may experience altitude sickness. Altitude sickness usually occurs at elevations over 8,000 feet, but may be experienced at altitudes as low as 6,000 feet. Symptoms include light headedness, headache, fatigue, stomach illness, dizziness, and sleep disturbance.   Exertion aggravates the symptoms.  Headaches are typically the primary symptom. The prospect of dehydration is increased at high altitudes as you lose more water vapor through evaporation in the lungs.   Severe cases of altitude sickness can be fatal.  They include primarily pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) and cerebral edema (fluid in the brain).   Symptoms of pulmonary edema include fever, shortness of breath even when resting, dry persistent cough, and are similar to bronchitis.  Cerebral edema manifests itself as a headache that doesn't respond to analgesics, unsteady gait, gradual loss of consciousness, increased nausea, and retinal hemorrhage. The only reliable treatment for altitude sickness is to descend to a safer atmosphere. In an emergency you might be placed in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to quickly saturate your blood with oxygen.  Pressure is typically 3 times normal atmoshperic pressure.  To avoid altitude sickness, give yourself time to acclimatize gradually. If you are headed to a destination over 8,000 feet from near sea-level, stop for at least a day at 4-5000 feet. When you reach your final destination, give yourself a day or two to adjust before beginning any strenuous activities. Mountain climbers often use a technique of "climb high, sleep low". They establish a base camp from which they climb to high elevations during the day, then return to the low altitude base camp at night. On very long climbs, they repeat this process several times, slowly moving the base camp to higher elevations. The more gradually you acclimate yourself, the less likely you'll experience any symptoms of elevation sickness. Consult your physician if you have any existing lung or heart problems before venturing to high altitudes.

High altitudes will affect your physical stamina, so be prepared to cut back on strenuous activities, at least until you have had time for your body to adjust. It is believed that your body actually produces additional red blood cells to make better use of the available oxygen at high altitudes, and that takes a little time. Until you adjust, don't expect as much from your body as you normally would.

Effects on other equipment and activities. Altitude will effect the efficiency of your stove and furnace. It also alters cooking times and temperatures. Water will boil at lower temperatures at high altitudes, in some cases it may boil before reaching a high enough temperature to disinfect the water. You may have noticed special instructions on cake mixes for use at higher altitudes. If you are going to be doing any baking, you will want to familiarize yourself with the changes needed in recipes to adjust for high altitudes.

Mountain weather.   Mountains sometimes create their own weather micro-environments, so you can often get local storms even when they aren't in the forecast for the rest of the region.  High altitude storms often include hail.  Since localized activity doesn't show up on regional weather forecasts you'll have to keep an eye on the sky and/or talk to the locals so you know what to expect and can be prepared.

Mountain driving. Most of us live in urban environments these days and don't get a lot of exposure to mountain driving. Be extra cautions and allow yourself extra time until you learn how you may be affected by driving in the mountains. As mentioned previously, vehicle performance may be affected at higher elevations. Passing or accelerating up freeway on-ramps may take much longer than usual.  Roads in general may be steeper than you are used to, requiring extra fuel for climbing and extra care descending to avoid excess speed or brake burnout.  And your judgment may be affected by elevation sickness. You may be able to make climbing hills easier by using an old trucker's trick -- speed up and get a run at the hill. Just don't over do it and keep any eye on the speed limit. Descending hills may take special techniques also.  Do NOT "ride the brakes".  They will overheat and become useless and suffer permanent damage.   You can downshift vehicles with gasoline engines to slow your descent. Some diesel vehicles have engine brakes, also called Jake brakes, that allow them to use engine braking.   If you find yourself going to fast, watch your speed.  When you reach about 10 mph above your desired speed, use your brakes to slow down to about 10 mph below your desired speed, then let off the brakes.  This allows the brakes time to cool between applications.  Never let your speed get too high.  You might not have enough brakes to slow or stop if necessary.  On most steep grades there are Truck Escape Ramps.   They are intended for semis with failed brakes but you could use one in an emergency to stop an out of control motorhome or truck and trailer.  They will usually take advantage of local terrain to provide an up-hill route to help reduce speed.  They also usually have deep, loose gravel, so be prepared and keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.  The emergency brake on some motorhomes is a separate brake on the driveline.   If yours is so equipped, the E-brake can be used if necessary to supplement your regular brakes.   Note: the E-brake on many vehicles just manually applies the rear brakes.  Using the E-brake on these will only over-heat the back brakes faster without adding any extra stopping power over pushing down on the pedal.  However, the E-brake is cable operated so it can be used even when the hydraulic system fails.

Mountains are home to a variety of wild animals.  You will likely see warning signs for deer or cattle crossings.  Be on the alert for deer and other animals crossing the road.  Sometimes they will jump out right in front of you and sometimes they jump right INTO the side of your vehicle.  Mountains are also home to predators -- cougars, bears, and wolves for example.   For the most part they will steer clear of humans, but some have gotten used to being around people and even dependent on handouts.  Not a good thing.    Never try to approach a wild animal.   Even cute young cubs can be very dangerous and their mother's are likely to be close by and will be very protective.  Predators are not the only possible source of animal danger.  For example, a male moose in rutting season can present a great hazard, so much so that Les Stround (Survivorman) commented he is more  concerned about them than about bears during his survival adventures.

Have a really peak experience!