Settling In 117Bolivia’s record in international competition is
considerably better at home in La Paz than away at lower
altitudes. However, home team advantage is a signifi cant
factor in sports competition even when altitude is not
a variable.
Visitors who are already in good physical shape (athletes
for example) may adjust more effi ciently to the altitude, but
this is not always the case. Following a successful adjustment,
only the most fortunate visitors reach more than 95 per cent
of their sea level capacity.
During the days prior to your fl ight to highland Bolivia,
eat lightly. Upon arrival, two days rest, with smaller than
normal and lighter meals, and plenty of liquid (without ice)
is recommended.
Some people arrive at this top of the Américas and seem
to feel no effects whatsoever.
Give it Time
The parents of an acquaintance fl ew in for a visit and were active
from the get-go, with no consequences. For me, regular afternoon
naps have been the best medicine. In the beginning, I thought
that adjustment would be impossible. In the end, I was hiking at
5,000 m (17,000 ft) with no exceptional diffi culty.The term for the normal case of altitude sickness is soroche,
a condition of discomfort which is effectively tamed with
rest, in most cases. But there is the stronger Acute Mountain
Sickness, which can affect the blood fl ow in the brain.
Anyone planning on mountain climbing or skiing on the
slopes of Chacaltaya, should see a physician before accepting
the challenge. When walking or climbing at a high altitude,
the best way to alleviate mountain sickness is to descend.
Another danger of high altitude is the easy penetration of
ultraviolet rays in combination with the alleged widening of
the ozone hole in the southernmost part of South America.
If you plan to do a lot of hiking at higher altitudes, sunscreen
is an absolute must.
With so much talk of high altitude in the Andes, the fact
is, considering the pros and cons, high altitudes have a net