title: Mt. Whitney: determinants of summit success and acute mountain sickness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of summit success and acute mountain sickness (AMS) on Mt. Whitney (4419 m) and to identify variables that contribute to both.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hikers (N = 886) attempting the summit were interviewed at the trailhead upon their descent. Questionnaires included demographic and descriptive data, acclimatization and altitude history, and information specific to the ascent. The Lake Louise Self-Assessment Score was used to make a determination about the occurrence of AMS. Logistic regression techniques were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) for AMS and summit success.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-three percent of the sample met the criteria for AMS, and 81% reached the summit. The odds of experiencing AMS were reduced with increases in age (adjusted 10-yr OR = 0.78; P < 0.001), number of hours spent above 3000 m in the 2 wk preceding the ascent (adjusted 24-h OR = 0.71; P < 0.001), and for females (OR = 0.68; P = 0.02). Climbers who had a history of AMS (OR = 1.41; P = 0.02) and those taking analgesics (OR = 2.39; P < 0.001) were more likely to experience AMS. As climber age increased, the odds of reaching the summit decreased (adjusted 10-yr OR = 0.75; P < 0.001). However, increases in the number of hours per week spent training (adjusted 5-h OR = 1.24; P = 0.05), rate of ascent (adjusted 50 m x h(-1) OR = 1.13; P = 0.04), and previous high-altitude record (adjusted 500 m OR = 1.26; P < 0.001) were all associated with increased odds for summit success.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high percentage of trekkers reached the summit despite having symptoms of AMS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA. dale.wagner@usu.edu
authors.forename: Dale R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: D'Zatko
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tatsugawa
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Daryl
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Streeper
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Willard
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002140:California; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009051:Mountaineering; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires