Elevation acclimation prior to I-Day

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Drewbox

5-Year Member
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Dec 16, 2017
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Regarding elevation acclimation prior to I-Day I have seen recommendations to show up before I-Day. Can anyone speak to this? How important is to come in early and if so how many days early is recommended. We will be coming from central PA.
 
We are from a state near you and did not arrive early, it was tough at the beginning for my son. I think you would have to arrive pretty early and run in the springs to fully get acclimated. I think it will affect you regardless, but maybe someone on here who has more experience with an amount of time would be beneficial.
 
A few days to a week early may help a little bit, but for full physical exertion, I would say you need close to 6 weeks to feel really good exercising at elevation. This is from someone who moved to CO from NYC and has lived at 8,000 ft elevation for the past 11 years. Youth is on the side of your Cadet. Congratulations on your Appointment!
 
It takes several weeks to several months to get fully acclimated. We are from about 600 ft elevation and son didn’t go early. In our 20+ trips to COS the altitude did not usually hit us until the 3rd day there. Hydrating for several days before and while there is usually the key to helping get through the adjustment.

The difference is real, however. Our first parent’s weekend we had a nice hotel room on the 4th floor. The breakfast buffet was crowded so we took the food back up to the room. My wife forgot something on the buffet so I offered to run down and grab it for her, and since the elevator had a line I ran down and back up four flights of stairs. I walked in to the room and went white as a sheet and had to sit down before I passed out. I didn’t feel good the rest of the day. Parents beware!

Stealth_81
 
I would recommend going out at least a few days early, not only to adjust to the altitude, but the time difference, and the dry air!
 
No need to arrive early. USAFA knows most will need to acclimate. They know that arriving early is impractical for all but a few. Anyway, as mentioned above, a few days won’t matter. Just focus on getting into the best shape of your life.
 
Agree with @MidCakePa. My DS arrived the night before and had no problems. He said it took him about 3 days to acclimate. The one thing is practice running in your boots before I day. He did that every day for a month before leaving. No blisters or shin splints during BCT.
 
It takes more than a couple days to acclimate. USAFA knows this, and not everyone show up with stellar fitness. BCT works up over time. So, the best thing in my opinion, is to show up ready and in good shape (be able to run several miles at a good pace).
 
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