can i fly after climbing 13,000ft?

Question

I will hike up to 9,000ft on day 1 and spend the night there. Continue to the summit the next morning and back down to ground level by mid afternoon. I will fly at about 8pm for about 2.5 hour, reaching altitude 30,000ft. Is it safe?

Answer 1

Absolutely. I think you might have brought up the question because scuba divers are not supposed to fly x amount of hours after they dive (right)? If so, its not the same thing as climbing a mountain. In a nutshell, The reason scuba divers cant fly immediately after scuba diving is because when you scuba you are breathing compressed air at high atmospheric pressures (beyond 30 feet). Therefore, your body accumulates Hydrogen in the tissues that might be let out into the blood stream if there is a drop in your atmospheric pressure (flying). Since all commercial planes are pressurized now a days, the risk is small but its still a good safety precaution to let your body expel the hydrogen for at least 12 to 24 hours after a dive.

Climbing a mountain and flying is no big deal, just more of the same. At most you will feel a little light headed....

Answer 2

Let me first say that you are quite ambitious. You climbing hobby will in no way effect you ability to fly.
All aircraft that fly over 10,000 ft are pressurised with a few exceptions.
The only thing that you might experience is that your ears might not equalise as quick the second day.
So take along some gum and start chewing a piece prior to take off.
Have fun & Be careful!

Answer 3

Blooming Yahoo. Always cutting corners :)

Answer 4

Yes - the aircraft is pressurized.

Answer 5

ya you will be in a pressurized air craft,

Answer 6

dont know ask a ranger