Are you headed to the top of Pikes Peak? If so, you'll be experiencing Colorado's altitude! Altitude sickness is a big risk when climbing Pikes Peak which can lead to major problems. Being in based in Colorado, here we'll go over three ways you can prevent Pikes Peak altitude sickness when you climb.
Altitude sickness happens when your body has trouble adjusting to lower oxygen levels found at higher elevations. This can happen typically at 8,000 feet and higher, which makes Pike Peak such a high risk of mild to severe altitude sickness at 14,115 feet high.
Pikes Peak altitude sickness symptoms may include:
These issues can being in 6-24 hours upon elevation exposure. If you're trying to avoid altitude sickness in Colorado, Pikes Peak is the ultimate risk to take. Make sure to be best prepared for Pikes Peak altitude sickness which we'll cover below.
Pikes Peak is one of the highest mountain summits in Colorado, with the altitude of Pikes Peak reaching 14,115 feet above sea level. It's a part of 53 mountains nicknamed by Colorado locals as a 14er, meaning it exceeds 14,000 feet.
Pikes Peak Altitude:
Being so close to Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak is a popular destination for hikers and mountain climbers. And for tourists, it's one of the most accessible mountains you can drive to the summit to see the spectacular views.
The extreme altitude of Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet can cause problems for even some of the most experienced athletes with a high risk of altitude sickness in nearly everyone that embarks to its high heights.
The Pikes Peak Marathon attracts runners to race to compete to the summit and back, starting at Manitou Springs, it boasts a debilitating distance of 26.2 miles in high altitudes. Founded in 1916, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is another race to Pikes Peak summit, however done in automobiles race on 12.42 miles of paved road.
While Pikes Peak is the greatest elevation climb in Colorado, to begin with you're still at risk of altitude sickness if you're flying into Colorado Springs or even Denver. The risks and symptoms are mild, but Denver altitude sickness is triggered from its 5280 feet in elevation and Colorado Springs altitude sickness is triggered from a higher elevation of 6035 feet.
If you plan to hike or climb Pikes Peak, especially if coming from sea level, it's best to stay in Colorado Springs for a few nights before you ascend. This will help you acclimate better, which we'll cover further in detail below.
Pikes Peak is one of Colorado's most famous landmarks, and it's a must-climb if you're wanting to add a new mountain challenge to your list. But altitude sickness — also known as acute mountain sickness — can ruin your climb and slow you down if you're not careful.
Here are three ways to prevent Pikes Peak altitude sickness:
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SOURCES:
1. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/
2. Dihydromyricetin Improves Physical Performance under Simulated High Altitude
https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2014/11000/Dihydromyricetin_Improves_Physical_Performance.6.aspx
3. Pikes Peak Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pikes_Peak
4. Pikes Peak Altitude Sickness & Elevation
https://coloradosprings.gov/pikes-peak-americas-mountain/page/health-and-weather-tips
