Smokers' lungs can help at high altitude says climbing expert
At last, some good news for smokers.
A news agency has just asked me to comment on the argument, put forward by a "climbing expert", that people who smoke are more likely to do well when climbing high peaks because smokers' lungs can cope better with high altitude.
Since I am neither a smoker nor a climber I am still considering Forest's response (if any). Any suggestions?
A friend, a non-smoker and a climber (Kilimanjaro, Mt Blanc and many more), writes:
I sound like a 60 a day man over 4000 metres but I am prepared to believe that consistently depriving oneself of oxygen might help. You can prepare for high altitude by breathing reduced oxygen air through a mask for a few hours a day for several days. It is all to do with air pressure at the end of the day.
Update: Deadline News has the story here – Smokers could be on top of the world, claims climbing expert.
I particularly like the quote from Henry Stedman, author of Kilimanjaro: the Trekking Guide to Africa’s Highest Mountain:
“While those of my clients who’ve led a blameless, tobacco-free life frequently struggle with the altitude, long-term smokers tend to saunter up.
“Breathless, certainly, and often wheezing – but headache-free and happy. Of course, we’re not seriously suggesting you take up smoking – but it’s interesting, isn’t it?”