I have done many rides on higher elevations with out major AMS. I follow a simple procedure to overcome AMS.
1. Start taking low dosage of Diamox or similar
prescribed by your Doctor 36 hrs before ascent. Don't wait till you hit by AMS start early to avoid it. This is not the only journey you take. Life long you are going to explore and travel. Most of AMS loses can't be reversed.
2. Drink more water water water and water. No carbonated and alcoholic drinks. One of my off road buddies always says " If you feel thirsty in outdoor, you are already dehydrated and if you don't leak very often you have not drank enough water". Invest in a good camel back (
camel back - ÈÍË Googleþ) or keep lot of water in your bag.
3. Eat healthy and more carbohydrates. Keep some food and munch them very often.
4. Be relax and calm, don't hurry.
5. Mountain passes are very scenic and beautiful. But don't spend more time there to take more photos.
6. Very important and many people already wrote about it. Climb high sleep low.
Don't quote me for following information. As no one has wrote about very different AMS fighting method used in other side of globe. In Latin America locals and travelers use a very unique substance ( it may be banned in many countries) to over come mighty Andes. It is Coca tea. It is brew of Coca leafs. Locals believe that coca tea helps them. I had a cup of it but I couldn't take it. Locals chew Coca leaf every where in Latin America.
Coca tea - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrha-GPFN2o]YouTube - Hugo Chavez Consume Coca ALBA[/ame]
The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook Altitude Sickness
Take care and don't take AMS lightly.