Effects of High Altitude Not that I think this may be a big problem, but it is something people should be aware of, especially us flat landers (I am from Kansas) Looking at the elevation of Ashland we should be in good shape. Some people may have a problem with some of the high mountain passes especially if they stop and do some walking around at the higher elevations. While we may not spend a lot of time at these elevations the rapid ascent may cause trouble for some. The reason I bring this up is because I suffered from altitude sickness at the 5000ft level. Not a severe problem, but I had a headache that would not quit and it took about 5 days to get over it. There is a ton of information on this subject. I copied a couple of links that you may want to take a look at. High Altitude Most people start to feel queasy or develop a headache at around 8,000 feet above sea level, but symptoms of altitude sickness can also occur at lower heights. One study found that 25% of people who were between 6,300 and 9,700 feet experienced altitude sickness, and those who lived yearlong at altitudes below 3,000 feet were 3.5 times more likely to be ill at those greater heights. Symptoms are generally mild and include headache, upset stomach, dizziness, weakness, and difficulty sleeping. Severe lack of oxygen at high altitudes can cause brain swelling, fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), and acute mountain sickness. Those taking medication to combat hypertension should consult their physician about increasing dosage if they are traveling to high altitudes. A reassuring recent study found that older people, even those with heart disease, can usually exercise safely at higher altitudes if they take it easy for a few days when they reach the higher destination until they adjust to the altitude. Conclusion: Rapid ascent to high altitude can be uncomfortable for many people and dangerous for some. Headache and other symptoms of acute mountain sickness may be prevented by gradual ascent or by taking Diamox. Pulmonary edema occurs in a small percentage of people who quickly ascent to elevations above 8,000 feet. Those patients need to see a physician for oxygen therapy and descent to lower altitude. http://www.nrel.gov/altitude.html http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/safety/altitude.html Jeff Schneider STCO 2863 "Giddyup"