Can 14er’s Cause Brain Damage?

Is getting high harmful?

One scientist seems to think so, at least for folks who aren’t used to spending any time at altitude.

“’It seems that climbers of high mountains, whether weekend warrior or seasoned professional, face returning from the high peaks with a brain that is not in the same condition it was in beforehand,’ writes a National Institutes of Health researcher, R. Douglas Fields.

Fields said he worries that could mean problems for some who scale 14ers, too. It’s not likely a danger for healthy locals used to living at higher altitudes, he said, but visitors who zip from sea level to the summit within days could face permanent brain damage. Colorado has 54 of the nation’s 14ers, which are popular attractions for all levels of mountaineers.”

It seems like common sense that you should get used to the altitude over a period of time, so I’m not sure how “groundbreaking” this is, but it makes for an interesting read. You can check out the rest from the Aspen Daily News.