Altitude Research Center

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Charles S. Houston, Pioneer in Altitude Medicine and Renowned Mountaineer

Charles S. Houston - image by Thomas Hornbein Throughout his career as a scientist, physician, teacher, author and filmmaker, Charlie Houston, MD, one of the world's foremost authorities on high altitude medicine and physiology, has beeng athering and idsseminating the knowledge of high places and thier impact on humans.

In 1960, Charlie brought to world attention High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), which even today kills the unwary who go too high, too fast.

He led numberous mountaineering expeditions to Alaska and the Himalaya. Seminal high altitude research on how humans adapt to hypoxia was performed on Mount Logan in the Yukon from 1967 to 1979, and in high altitude chamber studies -Opertion everest I in 1946 and Operation Everest II in 1985.

To promote distribution on knowledge about this exciting field, Charlie initiated the International Hypoxia Symposia, which continues under the auspices of ARC. To further his legacy, ARC has enbarked on a major fundraising drive to endow the Charles S. Houston Chair in Altitude Medicine and Physiology.

At Altitude Research Center, our skilled group of applied and clinical scientists engages in the study of high altitude medicine and physiology in a concerted effort
to promote the health of all people in the high country.>

Bill Moyers, journalist and long-time friend, on Charlie Houston:

There are celebreties and there are heroes. Charlie is an unsung American hero - a pioneer in moutaineering, a pathbreaking physician, a wise and good human being. In researching the heights he has shown us the power of deep convictions, personal courage, and selfless witness to the human values that matter.


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