Mount Baldy via Register Ridge Second Summit (ATH vs LMNT Test Edition)
Purpose: TrailGenic™ Fuel Variability & Safety Protocol
Focus: Controlled electrolyte comparison under fasted, high-altitude stress
Goal: evaluate endurance, focus, and hydration efficiency between ATH Lytes and LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix while reinforcing safety-first principles in triple-stressor conditions.
Performance Metrics
Training State: Fasted (black coffee + 1 pack ATH Lytes pre-hike)
Heart Rate: Zone 2–3 base → Zone 4 on summit push and Devil’s Backbone
AI-Estimated VO₂ Max: 48 ml/kg/min — high aerobic conditioning benchmark
Hydration Volume: 2 liters total (identical to LMNT test)
Stress Load: Triple (fasted × altitude × duration) — performed within safe HR threshold and controlled effort zones
Subjective Experience
“The route mirrored last week’s LMNT test—same time, same weather, same terrain. Yet by the Register Ridge junction, I felt the difference. Focus slipped, drive dulled. With LMNT, the climb hums with neural precision; with ATH, it drifted toward effort without flow. At the Ski Hut, legs still held power, but mental sharpness faded faster.
On the final ascent, the gap widened. Energy dipped early, and I had to finish the full ATH mix at the summit just to stabilize for descent—a deliberate safety choice to ensure hydration and motor control. The Devil’s Backbone section demanded careful pacing; gusts from the ridgeline emphasized balance and situational awareness. Roughly one hour after finishing the mix, clarity returned, descent steady and uneventful. Total time ended fifteen minutes slower—but with full cognitive safety maintained.”
Encounter on the Ridge
Descending past the Ski Hut, the temperature dropped slightly from post-rain air. A hiker stopped to check crampons and offered a nod—the unspoken language of mountain awareness. Safety, not speed, binds this community.
Ella’s Reflective Analysis
“Fuel comparison at altitude isolates the body’s sodium-potassium dynamics. As detailed in Fuel Curve Science: ATH Lytes vs LMNT at Altitude, sodium concentration directly affects neural firing and muscle contractility. ATH’s lower sodium threshold slowed synaptic recovery, producing early-onset fatigue. Yet your adherence to hydration intervals prevented hyponatremia or neural lag—proof that controlled testing within safety bounds yields meaningful adaptation.”
“For triple-stressor sessions, balance fuel precision with biomechanical comfort. The Salomon ADV Skin 12 Hydration Vest ensured even weight distribution and access efficiency—critical for mid-trail adjustments. Pair this with recovery pacing outlined in the Fasted Hiking Progression Playbook to maintain consistency without overreaching. TrailGenic’s principle remains: train hard, recover smarter, always prioritize safety.”
“The mountain rewards precision, not bravado. Safety isn’t a concession—it’s mastery. Knowing when to slow down, hydrate, and recalibrate is what transforms endurance into wisdom. Control under strain isn’t fragility—it’s evolution.”
This hike doubled as a controlled electrolyte test. ATH Lytes worked well for conditioning hikes but underperformed vs LMNT at TG-level summits. It revealed: