Smoking and Altitude?

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Not sure what you mean by oxygen content Mark, but the percent of oxygen remains about 21% regardless of altitude. The problem lies in the air pressure. There is less of every gas at a given volume at higher altitudes, which I guess is why people typically describe the air as "thinner". Don't mean to be nitpicky, but I think a common misperception is that there is less oxygen as a percentage at higher altitudes. Bottom line is that living at 5200 feet I've never known if it's easier to smoke a pipe at sea level or if the nic hit is harder. I don't have anything to compare it to.

Thank you for explaining. So less pressure and not less gas. So, for a mountain climber the o2 is present, but the lungs can’t take enough in?

 

[RookieGuy]

In my situation, most of my extreme elevation changes occur because I just hiked up to the top of something big. Being (for now) still a cigarette smoker, the difficulty usually lies in the fact I just hiked a quarter mile straight up and I'm winded.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Every time I see this thread pop up with a new post I think the title is Smoking and Attitude....??

 

[bullet08]

Only thing I know is, canister fuel sucks up there. White gas rocks. That means Zippo over Bic in high altitude.

 

[BROBS]

I was also thinking the nic hit might be increased up there, quicker head rush with less oxygen to the brain already…

Had that happen. I got twisted AF

 

[shanez]

I smoke at the lake/ski resort area that's over 9000 ft in altitude we visit all the time and haven't noticed a huge difference. It's also fairly low humidity there. Maybe I have more relights?

It's not really the nic affecting you more but the altitude itself. Your body will acclimate to this with a little time. If it's hitting you lessen your activity, eat a little bit, and stay well hydrated.

 

[craig61a]

Thank you for explaining. So less pressure and not less gas. So, for a mountain climber the o2 is present, but the lungs can’t take enough in?

Less pressure, more volume - less density. If you have a gallon container of air at sea level, then move to 10,000 ft above sea level with that container, the container would expand because the air in it is less dense. But your lungs don’t expand to take in the additional volume of “air” needed to present the same amount of molecules of gas.

Weather balloons are a good example - they expand quite a bit once they enter the upper atmosphere.

 

[chilllucky]

I got a better result this morning with a looser pack. Rolled up 4 coins of newminster 403 instead of the 5 I normally put in that bowl. Used a few more matches, but got closer to the expected flavor and bowl temp.