Single point field data. Individual performance within NSC’s Altitude Series. Training toward Whitney.

Activity (full stats, splits, pace)

Pace analysis

Mile 1 (ascent): 22:55/mi · Mile 6 (summit push): 37:26/mi. Pace degraded 63% from mile 1 to mile 6 across 3,782 ft of gain. Driven by increasing grade and oxygen limitation under altitude. Descent (miles 7–11.82) recovered to 20:00–23:43/mi, indicating no systemic fatigue.

Benchmark: mile 6 pace during sustained climbing above ~7,500–8,500 ft serves as altitude stress reference for Ontario comparison.

Conditions

Cold at trailhead (~4,700 ft), jacket required at start (Garmin weather: 63F - low-elevation station, likely unrepresentative). Dawn start, partly overcast below saddle, clearing above Icehouse Saddle (~7,632 ft). Snow present above saddle with icy sections from melt. Manageable with trail shoes and poles - microspikes not required.

Protocols

Altitude sickness prevention protocol initiated 2 days prior. Exertion headache protocol active on day of hike.

Expectation

Known test. Prior altitude reference: Dry Lake, May 2025 (~9,068 ft). Expected breathing to be a factor. Expected effort to feel disproportionately high relative to pace.

Actual

Breathing limited early. Effort high relative to pace. Steeper sections caused breathing spikes requiring pace reduction. Appetite and thirst suppressed during ascent. No headache or nausea symptoms.

Observations

Altitude impact was immediate. Breathing stabilized after ~40 min of continuous climbing. Time above ~8,000 ft: approximately 60-75 min. Sea-level aerobic capacity did not translate to perceived effort at altitude.

All findings reflect performance under active altitude and headache management protocols. Ontario will serve as the first direct comparison under consistent conditions.

Gear / Hydration / Fueling

Jacket removed within first mile. Microspikes not needed. Trail shoes and poles sufficient for snow above Icehouse Saddle.

Hydration: ~2.6L water + 20 oz with 2 LMNT via separate bottle - not accessible during continuous movement with poles. Water bladder hose accessible throughout.

Fueling:

Pre-hike (2.5 hrs prior): ~430-500 cal, carb-forward breakfast + 1/3 LMNT packet.

Ascent: 2-3 ProBar energy chews (~75-100 cal). Appetite/thirst suppressed.

Summit: DIY trail mix -walnuts, almonds, unsweetened coconut, raisins, dates, Redmond salt (~4 oz, ~500-550 cal).

Descent: 2-3 ProBar energy chews (~75-100 cal).

Intake during ascent was lower than optimal; calories concentrated at summit. Total in-hike intake: ~650-750 cal.

Recovery, 24hr

Significant HRV drop and elevated RHR overnight. Hike imposed autonomic load confirmed.

Adjustments, Ontario Peak - 8,696 ft

Slower start. No early surges. Target ascent rate at or below 1,350 ft/hr. Maintain consistent breathing load. Minimize effort spikes on steeper sections via cadence and stride control. Energy chews easily accessible. Increase intake throughout ascent on schedule regardless of appetite. Add electrolyte chewable tablets for Ontario - eliminates dependency on stopping to access separate bottle. Reduce carried clothing. Maintain similar water volume.

SpO2 Protocol. First Measurement. SpO2 measures how far blood oxygen saturation drops under altitude stress and how quickly it recovers at rest. Tracked consistently across peaks of increasing elevation, it documents individual acute response to altitude. Ontario Peak (8,696ft) - atmospheric oxygen approximately 72% of sea level - first baseline in the arc. Fingertip pulse oximeter. Three readings at summit: on arrival before rest, after 10 minutes, after 20 minutes. Exertion value, partial recovery, near-full recovery.