Traveling around America

[LoncinLad]

Good afternoon one & all, a question for our American colleagues.

For part of our forthcoming trip traveling around America by Amtrak we were planning to take the Empire Builder route from Portland to Chicago thru the Rockies. During some this trip we will be traveling at around 3,000ft altitude. Although we will be seated inside the train at all times, is this likely to have an adverse effect on my respiratory condition?

[LoncinLad]

Thanks for your swift reply RedSox, perhaps I should rephrase my question. Given the high altitude across the Rockies, is it safe to travel by Amtrak without taking a supply of Oxygen with you?

[skischool]

At 3000 ft there is still something like 18.5 % o2 available to breath but without knowing your oxygen requirements and lung function nobody could safely give you an accurate answer to your question.However if you do need to use ambulatory O2 for flying then as long as you give Amtrak 12 hours notice and your equipment is within their acceptability rules which are rather similar to most airlines you should have no problems.

Regards Ski's and Scruff's

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

How wonderful for you,have an absolutely fantastic time.😊 Bernadette xx

[Hidden]

Hi Redsox, I am flying to Denver in July, then a road trip to Estes Park, Rapid City, Mt Rushmore, Cody, Yellowstone, East Glacier St Mary’s, West Glacier, Mount Rainier and Seattle then a cruise to Alaska and back. I don’t need oxygen and my sats are usually 98 but wonder if I may struggle a bit in the Rocky Mountain National Park. I am not going to be doing the hiking etc that my daughter and her family will do. Thanks.

[jackdup in reply to Hidden]

You should also see Crazy Horse as it is fairly close to Mt Rushmore and well worth seeing. We have been to all of the places you have listed (with the exception of the cruise to Alaska) and am sure you will have a great time. If you get a chance to go over Logan Pass it is quite an experience. Many people go to the top from the east side and then turn around and go back down but going down the west side is the real experience.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goi...

[Hidden in reply to jackdup]

Thanks, my daughter is planning the route and I didn’t include everything that she wrote down. I will show her your suggestions thank you

[jackdup in reply to Hidden]

I assumed you didn’t but thought I would mention those two things as if you didn’t have them in your plans you could do a little research and see if they would fit into your plans.

I hope you have a wonderful trip.

[Hidden in reply to jackdup]

Thanks.

[LoncinLad]

Thank you all for your replys & comments, plenty of food for thought.

I'll post more details of our trip once we have finalised the iterary.

[skischool]

i once had the pleasure of skiing in Winter park resort which is about 90 miles west of Denver and it's highest ski run was about 12,000 ft,i even scattered my dads ashes on the summit,unfortunately an oncoming skier got covered in bits of dad because of the prevailing wind.needless to say this was quite a while before my emphysema progressed and absolutely nothing to do with Loncin lads post.

[jackdup]

Amtrak should be able to tell you the highest elevation they will be and although many of the peaks in the Rockies are indeed very high the trains snake through the mountains and I would be surprised if any get up to the peaks. They go through tunnels etc but again would contact them to find out the highest elevation they would reach on the routes you are taking and then discuss that elevation with your doctor. You didn’t say what stage of COPD you are. I would be interested in knowing what the highest elevation is so if you do find out would appreciate if you post and let us know.

[Hidden]

I had a lovely time in Boston some years ago whilst on a cruise of the eastern seaboard. Very interesting