Oddbean new post about login | logout My understanding is that it is not genetic, and is a temporary adaptation. If they descend back to sea level for a few months then back to altitude their bodies generally respond similarly to most
It can vary. 'Most' because most people don't "live" at high altitudes; those altitudes are quite extreme. It is difficult to put in a prospective, there is no other mountain range like Himalayas and Karakoram. Additionally, there are many serious scientific research regarding Sherpas in this specific matter. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3515610/
I think this one explains it better. https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physiol.00018.2014
For sure. I was in the himalayas a month ago when someone explained the anecdotal phenomenon to me. Regardless, sherpas and anyone living in the desolate altis are elite
I consider them top athletes; it is nice that they are finally getting the recognition. They deserve it more than anyone else. Btw how was your experience in Himalayas, which region?
For sure. My brother and i did a 2k (vertical) hike when we stopped in sachu beginning at about 15.5k and i was working! 😮💨 Experience was incredible. Shimla to leh on bikes via a few high passes. Really mind blowing. Was it you i saw was there a little earlier ?
Leh! I literally spent my childhood near Leh, Ladakh. I studied for some time in Himachal state, city next to Shimla, when I was in India. 😅 Those are undoubtedly the best places. If you have any plans for the next climbing season, let me know. We can plan something.
My understanding is that the genes are involved as this studies shows. Especially high frequency of some TED gene in sherpas. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5241213/