Exploring the Benefits of a High-Altitude Tent at Your Home
- Mia Farrow
- Mar 9
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 18
Acclimatisation is crucial for high-altitude training, benefiting everyone from elite athletes to weekend adventurers. High-altitude (hypoxic) tents offer a solution for those coming from sea level, like myself.
This post outlines my preparation for a speed ascent on one of the 7 Summits, Aconcagua 6,962 m / 22,841 feet, in Argentina.
What is a High-Altitude (Hypoxic) Tent?
A hypoxic tent is a specialized device that mimics high-altitude environments by lowering the percentage of oxygen in the air. By simulating conditions typically found at elevations above 2,000 m / 8,000 feet, these tents force your body to adapt to lower oxygen availability.
Essentially, by training or sleeping in a hypoxic setting, your body learns to use oxygen more efficiently.
The Science Behind High Altitude Tents
The effects of hypoxia, or decreased oxygen levels, initiate physiological changes that benefit both athletes and casual fitness enthusiasts. When you spend time in a hypoxic environment, your body responds by producing more red blood cells and increasing haemoglobin levels. This adaptation enhances oxygen transport, which is crucial for performance, and it helps with a pre-acclimatisation process. The machine I used is the OLV-10T Hypoxic generator, in pictures above. This machine does not simulate the changes in the barometric pressure (what actually happens on the mountain at high altitude); the machine only changes the percentage of oxygen in the air that you inhale through the mask or while in the sleeping tent.
If you are a responder to high altitude and if you adhere to a progressive protocol, you can still reap the benefits from this method.
My Approach and Protocol
3 Months with a Hypoxic Tent from High-Altitude Training Australia
I started using the High Altitude tent and a mask in September 2024, with my Aconcagua trip starting on January 8, 2025.
During that time, I worked with an Uphill Athlete coach, Martin Zhor, who helped me set up a simple and progressive protocol.
1st Month: only 2 weeks in September
Gradually getting used to 2,500m - 3,000m simulated altitude. It is worth noting that September - January were my volume building months (run training) so my long days on the trails required better sleep and recovery with less exposure to altitude.
Mask use daily for an hour
Sleeping tent 3-4 x week for up to 4 hours
Outcome: I could not sleep longer than four hours in the tent becuase of the noise and heat that I was not used to. You can hear in one of the videos I posted here that the generator inside the machine makes noise (which eventually you can get used to).
I also struggled with fatigue for the first month, getting used to altitude exposure on higher volume with running and gym work, which is pretty normal. This is how you would feel when arriving to high altitude from sea level. I kept thinking: I better get over the initial fatigue here at home than spend extra time adjusting while on the mountain (which was far more cost effective in the long run).
2nd Month: October
Mask use 1 day per week for two hours
Sleeping tent 3-4 x weekly for up to 7 hours
Gear 2.5 - 2.0 and Flow at 8L and 10L
My standard setting at night time was on Gear 2.0 setting which translated to 3,900m - 4,700m of altitude. During this time, I was able to sleep for 7 hours in the tent followed by some 2 hours outside the tent. Sleep was my primary source of recovery and getting 8-9 hours of sleep was essential.
3rd Month: November
Mask use only 1-2 days per week for two hours
Sleeping tent 3-4 x weekly for up to 7 hours
Gear 2.0 and Flow at 8L and 10L
My standard setting for the month of October and November (2nd and 3rd month of use) at night time was on Gear 2.0 setting that translated to 3,900m - 4,700m of altitude. During this time, I was able to sleep for 7 hours in the tent and some 2 hours in my bed. Sleep was my primary source of recovery and getting 8-9 hours of sleep was essential.
Every once in a while, I would test higher altitude settings with a mask only and use a shorter interval approach: 5 minutes on and 5 minutes off.
Please keep in mind that using settings above 5,700m require many days and hours of getting used to altitude above 3,000m.
4th Month: December
Sleeping tent 4 x weekly for up to 8 hours
Gear 1.5 and Flow at 8L and 10L
My standard setting for the month of December at night time was on Gear 1.5 setting that simulated 5,700m altitude (10L) and 4,800m (8L).
Note: While hypoxic tents are gaining traction, safety is paramount. Consult medical or fitness professionals before starting any hypoxic training, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions, like respiratory issues. Stay informed about potential side effects.
Outcome and Conclusions
On January 9, 2025. I arrived to Las Cuevas, Portezuelo del Viento, a small town outside of Aconcagua National Park, situated at 3,200 m and I had no headaches or issues. This is typically where I would spend a few days re-grouping and organising my gear. And this year, I spent three days hiking and training on near by hills and mountain peaks.
I arrived at Basecamp Mulas at 4,500m on January 13th, and felt really good. For the next 18 days, I have enjoyed pre-acclimatising and going up to 6,200m altitude with no headaches or any high altitude symptoms. Doctor check ups are mandatory at Basecamp, and I have cleared mine with 110/85 for blood pressure and 93 oxygen saturation at 4,500m altitude.
My goal on Aconcagua was to complete Aconcagua360 Project Solo in one push.
This is the longest route on Aconcagua at nearly 110km, starting at the bottom gate at 2,800m - going all the way to the summit - and then coming down the other side of the mountain - making a full 360 loop.
Typically, an expedition style climb would take up to 21 days to complete this route, and I completed it in 2 days, being only the third woman in the World to do it.
Pre-acclimatisation process was key in achieving this big goal. It was either spending a lot more time on the mountain (possibly 3 months) or using the high-altitude tent longer at home to prepare for this event. I opted for spending more time at home with my family and utilising the tent vs spending more time on the mountain.
It is worth stating that everyone responds differently to high altitude. It is a personal approach and one should gain some experience exploring and climbing at high altitude first. There are also ways to test and see if you are responder to high altitude.
In conclusion, using a high-altitude tent for three months significantly contributed to my successful ascent of Aconcagua. This method allowed me to prepare effectively while spending more time at home with my family.
Elevation chart of my Project Aconcagua360 is below.
Aconcagua360 loop around Aconcagua summit and National Park
Health, Fitness and Testing
In addition to using the high altitude tent and mask from High-Altitude Training, I did strength training at a local high altitude gym called CombineAir Sydney. More about this in a separate post.
Tracking your blood test results is beneficial when planning high altitude projects. Please consult with your doctor and please try not to compare my test results with yours :) What I am trying to show below is that some of the most important markers for high altitude e.g. Iron and ferritin on my table were in good standing and have gone up over time, which was beneficial.
High altitude journey is highly unique and everyone responds differently regardless of one's fitness level.
Getting some of these bio-markers to normal levels and keeping them at normal level (or increasing them) can take months if not years. Sometimes endurance activities can also get in a way. So, try to start your process early.
During 2024, I have tracked my blood test results - mostly focusing on keeping the following biomarkers within normal levels:
Iron levels (ferritin)
TRBC (total red blood cells)
haemoglobin
haematocrit
Insulin resistance
TSH
Hormones
Vitamins B12 and D
* note: as someone at 46 years of age, my doctor and I added a few other bio-markers (such as hormones, inslulin resistance, proteins, etc).
I also decided NOT to be on any form hormonal replacement therapy (HRT); instead, I opted for a natural approach via heavy weight lifting and natural adaptogens per Dr Stacy Sim's book "Next Level"
In conclusion, from some of the results listed here prior to my trip and post trip,
I was very happy to see my Iron levels increase over time. Eating good amount of Argentinian meat probably contributed to this as well!
What was interesting to see is my Haemoglobin levels at 124 (prior to my trip), after only 2 months of using the High Altitude tent, which was great. And with Ferritin levels at 76 I had no need of getting an Iron infusion which was also good.
It has been a fantastic journey at high altitude so far and I look forward to working with Con from High-Altitude Training Australia team on my future projects.
You can rent the machine on their website at: High-Altitude Training Australia
I hope you enjoy your training with them as well. Thanks for reading. My best, Mia.
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