Man dies near Teide’s Refugio de Altavista

[Janet]

A 65-year-old man died this afternoon near Teide's Refugio de Altavista. Emergency services say that they were called out around 3.30pm with reports that the man had collapsed near the Refugio, but despite the attendance of two helicopters, medical personnel were unable to resuscitate him.

As I posted HERE when a man collapsed earlier this month during a walk on one of the national park's senderos, Teide is a staggering 3,718m high, making it the highest point in Spain and the third highest volcano in the world. The caldera, and indeed the national park generally, has an average altitude of over 2,000m. The lower station of the Teleférico itself is at 2,356m, and the Refugio at 3,270, is considerably higher.

Please note that atmospheric changes start at an altitude of around 2,500m. This can cause altitude sickness, but more specifically, can cause problems for people especially those with heart and lung conditions, who can also begin to suffer repercussions at lower altitudes. The official advice for anyone with such vulnerabilities is not to go above the level of the caldera, let alone go up in the cable car, or try to ascend the peak of Teide itself.

[Medman]

A 65-year-old man died this afternoon near Teide's Refugio de Altavista. Emergency services say that they were called out around 3.30pm with reports that the man had collapsed near the Refugio, but despite the attendance of two helicopters, medical personnel were unable to resuscitate him.

As I posted HERE when a man collapsed earlier this month during a walk on one of the national park's senderos, Teide is a staggering 3,718m high, making it the highest point in Spain and the third highest volcano in the world. The caldera, and indeed the national park generally, has an average altitude of over 2,000m. The lower station of the Teleférico itself is at 2,356m, and the Refugio at 3,270, is considerably higher.

Please note that atmospheric changes start at an altitude of around 2,500m. This can cause altitude sickness, but more specifically, can cause problems for people especially those with heart and lung conditions, who can also begin to suffer repercussions at lower altitudes. The official advice for anyone with such vulnerabilities is not to go above the level of the caldera, let alone go up in the cable car, or try to ascend the peak of Teide itself.

Poor guy, if only he had read your post ... maybe ?

[Marion]

I started feeling the effects way before the lower station. It was at a visitors centre/cafe place. I thought it was just my asthma playing up a bit.....until I got to the top station and realised something was wrong.

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

Unfortunately, often you don't know it is going to be a problem until you are there, and it is. The first time I went up, 20 years ago, I was a fit runner but got altitude sickness.  I have not had it since.  But it could happen next time I go up.  It is just so hard to predict. 

I am wondering if the man's death didn't have more to do with exertion at that altitude.  He may have been fit at sea level. 

Sorry for him; he had the ultimate bad day.