Physiological altitude of Mt. Vinson

Due to the rotation of the earth the atmosphere bulges out at the equator and thins out at the poles. As a result, there is less oxygen available to the body at the poles and the body thinks and reacts as if the altitude is much higher than the same altitude at the equator. Vinson base camp is at an elevation of 2,150m (7,000 ft) but the body feels as if it is at an elevation of 3,000 m (10,000 ft).