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Post by Scott on Mar 1, 2008 14:08:36 GMT -5
Any ideas on determining altitude while in the mountains?
I have the party I'm now DMing in the Yatils at 3,000 feet. A little higher and freezing temperatures and high winds might become a problem. Any opinions, or info?
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GT
Wizard
Duke of Indiana, Knight Commander
Posts: 2,032
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Post by GT on Mar 3, 2008 0:30:17 GMT -5
Well, I'd equate that range with the Rockies, so it would top out around 22,000 feet, so at the very highest cold and possibly hypoxia would be a problem, but at 3,000 feet--well, the Appalachians top out below 7,000 feet, and depending on the season cold and winds aren't a real issue. Now if it were winter or close to it, then you certainly have a problem for the players! Hope that helps... ^__^
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GT
Wizard
Duke of Indiana, Knight Commander
Posts: 2,032
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Post by GT on Mar 3, 2008 1:04:43 GMT -5
Looked up some actual heights:
Mt. McKinley (Alaska) 20,320 feet
Mt. Logan (Canada) 19,850 feet
Mt. Elbert (Colorado) 14,431 feet
*source:Dunlop Illustrated Encyclopedia of Facts
Given that, I would top the mountains at about 15,000 feet as a "USA analog"!
And, according to the Time/Life Nature series "The Mountains", hypoxia isn't an issue until above 14,000 feet--above 18,000 feet for seasoned mountain dwellers (such as sherpas)--so that won't be an issue, necessarily. I know that I tried running--downhill, no less, at a time when I ran three miles at least thrice a week here in the flatlands--in the high passes of the Rockies and quickly became winded! So resting might take longer...
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GT
Wizard
Duke of Indiana, Knight Commander
Posts: 2,032
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Post by GT on Mar 3, 2008 1:13:24 GMT -5
Oh, yeah... another weird thing if they get up above 10,000 feet... if it's clear and the sun's shining, it feels warmer on your skin even if the temperature's relatively low--and you can sunburn/windburn/both pretty easily! It's hard to explain... And when we went to Winter Park, it was like 60 degrees and no snow at the mountain base in February, but like 20 degrees up in the slopes and plenty of snow--again, it depends on the season!
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GT
Wizard
Duke of Indiana, Knight Commander
Posts: 2,032
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Post by GT on Mar 3, 2008 1:30:28 GMT -5
"Any ideas on determining altitude while in the mountains?"
If you mean this literally, I'd say "get a Dwarf"! ^__^
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Post by Scott on Mar 3, 2008 7:50:15 GMT -5
Specifically, while trekking through the Yatils during the wilderness portion of S4, what altitude would you use?
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GT
Wizard
Duke of Indiana, Knight Commander
Posts: 2,032
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Post by GT on Mar 3, 2008 10:27:23 GMT -5
Since the adventure takes place in the southern area where the range thins out, and since it's near the farthest east edge of the mountains, I'd say 3,000 feet to 5,000 feet maximum would be logical in this case, so you are spot on! ^__^
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Post by Scott on Mar 3, 2008 10:35:43 GMT -5
I was planning on bumping it up some. The 3,000 was just as they were entering. Maybe I'll take them up to 5,000 in the heart of the mountains.
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ghul
Enchanter
Posts: 272
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Post by ghul on Mar 3, 2008 19:02:00 GMT -5
And if you'd like another reference point -- the tallest of the White Mountains here in New Hampshire is Mt. Washington at 6,200 ft. It may not be the tallest, but it has been measured with highest wind on the earth in recorded history -- 231 mph. The weather is insane and can turn on you very quickly. I know, because I almost died there once as it went from 55 degrees and calm to a blizzard with winds that were lifting me in the air back around 1987 or so.
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Post by GRWelsh on Mar 12, 2008 19:58:58 GMT -5
Ugh, don't tell him that. Let's go back to the "you all get a little bit winded and a sunburn."
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