Interesting article on the effect of rather low attutude climbs on brain scans in the latest issue of Outside Magazine.

http://outside.away.com/outside/bodywor ... intro.html

Needs a blinded study.

I read this article as I waited in the lobby of my doctor for my annual physical preparing for my trip to Orizaba. Pretty ironic. Interesting read but I agree it needs a blinded study but who would pay for it?

http://download.journals.elsevierhealth.com/pdfs/journals/0002-9343/PIIS0002934305006741.pdf

link to the main study

they obviously need before and afters for the same climber but regardless this is a valid study in a reputable peer reviewed journal with the conlcusion being that the risk involved with high altitude mountaineering is not insignificant for brain damage. what the quantifiable risk is or what it means who knows

i thought outside was a little sensational

...and I thought I was just getting old

Now what was I doing again????

Id dis bee twu?! Me say NO!

FortMental wrote:I think it only applies to Spanish Climbers. The article says that only Spanish climbers are brain damaged:

In a study conducted in 26 Spanish climbers who ascended over 7000 m without oxygen, abnormalities were seen ...

I think the rest of us are OK.

What a relief. I knew there was a reason I stopped taking Spanish (besides sucking at it!).