When the altitude tent When I was built in my bedroom at home, I sent some laughs to family and friends. Slightly skeptical about sleeping in such a tent. I often have to go to the toilet several times at night and do it half asleep. The next 4 weeks I really have to wake up. Open zippers, squeeze myself out, close zippers again, go to the toilet, open zipper again, squeeze myself in again and close zipper again. But it actually went without saying.
Would this place help me to the top of the Kilimanjaro?
The first week in the height tent I didn't think anything was happening .. but who knows, maybe my body, and especially my red blood cells, was working hard.
And indeed in the second week I noticed that I woke up more often at night. And I had less appetite. I also suffered from this during treks in Nepal and during my previous climb of Kilimanjaro. Would this tent help me to reach the top of Kilimanjaro? It would work this time. That would be very nice.
Practising with the Kili module by means of Intermittent Hypoxic Training, i.e. with a loose mouth mask on the bench, simulating the 6400-metre altitude, took some getting used to. In the beginning, it didn't do much and I didn't really see the point. But then it turned out that I was doing something wrong and after correction this went much better. I really noticed that my body thought we were up to date. The thin air and the light feeling in my head were just like in previous experiences at altitude.
During the 4 weeks in the height tent I also noticed that my running performance (half marathon training) went quite well, even though I was not consistently in training. I am convinced that this has to do with the height tent.
Kilimanjaro adventure
After 4 weeks, happy to be able to sleep in my normal bed again, the Kilimanjaro adventure has started. And I enjoyed more the first 4 days on the mountain (compared to the previous climb) and being able to look around more. I suffered less from altitude sickness and was able to maintain a reasonable appetite.
The last night, the climb to the top, was tough. But thanks to sleeping in the height tent I have reached the top. What a beautiful view, what an experience.
An unforgettable trip, also thanks to the rental service of Altitude Dream altitude training.
Thank you!
Mieke Thomas
Eindhoven
