I visited Mexico City a couple weeks ago and it is at 7200 feet. As I got off the plane I was gasping a bit and I woke up 3 or 4 times the first night gasping for air. I didn't have any problems visiting Denver at 5000 feet in years past but I was absolutely feeling it at 7200. I didn't stay long enough to see if I would acclimate as I continued to feel bad and returned home early.

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WalterBright 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

My dad visited Machu Picchu. He was doing poorly and the guides put him on oxygen. They were well prepared for it, as it happens a lot and is not very predictable.

It's at 8,000 feet.

I remember staying overnight at Estes Park, 7500 feet. I got a headache. I didn't try anything strenuous.

I recall reading about Mt Everest climbs. Even on supplemental oxygen, your brain measurably dies a little. No thanks. People who climb it repeatedly are, in my not-so-humble opinion, idiots.

	▲	BSDobelix 3 days ago \| parent [-]
		Yes people who climb Everest (in this time) are touristic idiots, even people who climb it "~alpine style". However people who climb more interesting (for example Gasherbrum IV 8000m, Muztagh Tower 7200m, Thalay Sagar 7000m or Trango Towers 6200m) Mountains (in alpine style) would call people who sit 8 hours a day in front of a screen "idiots" ;)

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petesergeant 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Mexico City and SMA, and the first time was definitely the worst; lots of shortness of breath and walking seemed much harder there than other places. My 75 year-old mother had no issues at all when she came to visit tho

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CGMthrowaway 2 days ago | parent | prev [-]

There are reasons to be gasping for air in Mexico City that don't have to do with the altitude.. has terrible air quality