Preparation and medical management of events in mountain and high-altitude environments.

Athletic pursuits in mountain and high-altitude environments continue to increase in popularity for the recreational and professional athlete. Accordingly, the sports medicine practitioner will have an increasing opportunity and responsibility to serve the unique needs of the mountain sport athlete. Many medical conditions occurring in the mountain and high-altitude environments will be unique to the Western medicine practitioner. This article discusses the medical care unique to athletes participating in these environments.