Dillon Altitude Sickness: Quick Guide & 5 Tips - Zaca

Dillon Altitude Sickness: Quick Guide & 5 Tips

Dillon Altitude Sickness

As one of the most popular destinations in Colorado without a ski resort, the high elevations of Dillion also brings surprise to visitors. As a local Colorado company, this quick guide will give you everything you need to know about Dillion altitude and tips to avoid Dillion altitude sickness.

Dillon Altitude

Dillon altitude sits at 9,111 feet above sea level. This is one of highest destinations with a close proximity to Denver, near Frisco, Keystone, and Breckenridge.

  • Dillon altitude - 9,111 ft (2,777 m)

Dillon, Colorado, is a charming town located in the heart of Summit County. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Dillon offers breathtaking natural beauty and a wide range of recreational activities including the famous Dillon Reservoir lake. Dillon neighbors Silverthorne with nearly identical elevation at 9,035 feet.

  • Silverthorne altitude 9,035 ft (2,754 m)

Even for Colorado these are considered high altitudes. Prepare yourself and keep reading to find our top tips to avoid altitude sickness.

Is Dillon Considered High Altitude?

Yes, Dillon Colorado is considered high altitude.

High altitude is considered to be between 4900 feet and 11500 feet, which Dillon falls into the latter range of altitudes.³ At 9111 feet, Dillon is no small climb in elevation.

Do People Get Altitude Sickness In Dillon?

Yes, people get altitude sickness in Dillon.

They estimate up to 75% of people will experience altitude sickness in elevations over 10,000 feet. While Dillon is just below that threshold, it's still very high and even a conservative assumption would be a large amount of Dillon visitors at risk for altitude sickness.

What Causes Dillon Altitude Sickness?

Altitude sickness in Dillon, also called mountain sickness, is caused by decrease oxygen levels, free radical damage from oxidative stress, and dehydration.

Colorado's climate is abnormally dry further contributing to the intensity of possibly symptoms. Altitude sickness can manifest in various ways, including headache, fatigue, and nausea.

Common Symptoms of Dillon Altitude Sickness:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Dizziness and Lightheadedness
  • Fatigue and Weakness
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Feeling of Malaise

These symptoms usually show up within 6-24 upon arrival in Dillon, sometimes early in Denver if you're flying in from sea level.  It's important to recognize these signs to take appropriate action, such as ones we mention below.

5 Tips To Avoid Dillon Altitude Sickness

As a hot destination and even pit stop in the Rocky Mountains, Dillon's high altitude gives many problems to its visitors.

As a local Colorado company, we'll share our years of experience by detailing our top tips to avoid Dillon altitude sickness.

5 Tips To Avoid Dillon Altitude Sickness:

1. Acclimate Slowly

One of the best ways to avoid altitude sickness in Dillon is to gradually ascend and acclimate. Start at lower elevations and gradually increase your altitude over time.

You can do slowly acclimate by arriving in Colorado a day or two early, and spending that time in Denver. At 5,280 feet high, this gives your body time to adjust to the thinner air before you continue to Dillon.

2. Prioritize Hydration

With the combination of high altitude, dry air, and increased respiratory rate, dehydration can be a real threat. It's estimated that you can lose fluids twice as fast in high elevations.⁵

Prioritize hydration by drinking plenty of water each day, most experts recommend at least half a gallon or half you body weight in ounces of water.

TIP: To enhance hydration, add sea salt (contains electrolytes) to your foods, and take Zaca's hydration supplement to increase water absorption.

3. Limit Alcohol

Alcohol can exacerbate dehydration, lower sleep quality and even oxygen saturation, making it harder for your body to adjust.⁶

While hard when on vacation, limited alcohol the first few days and opt for water or other non-alcoholic beverages to stay properly hydrated.

4. Take It Easy & Rest

Allow your body time to rest and adjust to the altitude before enduring any strenuous activity such as hiking, skiing, and biking. Gradually increase your level of physical exertion, and rest when needed to avoid unnecessary strain on your body.

In addition, sleep is key to recovery and can play an important role in high altitudes like Dillon.⁷ Getting plenty of sunlight during the day can help maximize your sleep quality and melatonin production.

5. Supplement Antioxidants

Antioxidants can help protect against the oxidative stress caused by high altitude and support your body's natural levels.⁹ It was found by a study in India that glutathione, one of the body's master antioxidants, is depleted in high altitude conditions.¹¹

Consider taking antioxidant supplements like glutathione during your time in Dillon to boost your body's ability to fight oxidative stress.

By following these top tips, you can maximize your time in Dillon and help avoid altitude sickness — which includes acclimating slowly, prioritizing hydration, limiting alcohol, taking it easy and resting, and supplementing antioxidants.

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SOURCES:

1. Dillion Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dillon,_Colorado
2. Silverthorne Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverthorne,_Colorado
3. Effects of high altitude on humans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_high_altitude_on_humans
4. Altitude Sickness in the Rocky Mountains
https://www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com/altitude-sickness-rocky-mountain-national-park.htm
5. Why Do You Need to Drink a Lot of Water at a High Altitude?
https://www.livestrong.com/article/360485-how-to-train-for-high-altitude-hiking
6. Effects of Alcohol
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.HYP.29.6.1278#
7. Sleep: The Secret Ingredient of Injury Recovery
https://www.orthocarolina.com/media/sleep-the-secret-ingredient-of-injury-recovery
9. High altitude and oxidative stress
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17482529/
10. Oxidative Stress and Diseases Associated with High-Altitude Exposure
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8868315/
11. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/