3 Ways To Prevent Pikes Peak Altitude Sickness - Zaca

3 Ways To Prevent Pikes Peak Altitude Sickness

Pikes Peak Altitude

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.

Pikes Peak Altitude Sickness

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:

  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Trouble breathing
  • Difficulty sleeping

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 Altitude

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:

  • Pikes Peak altitude - 14,115 feet (4,302.31 m)

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.

Pikes Peak Competitions

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.

Colorado Springs Altitude

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.

3 Ways To Prevent Pikes Peak Altitude Sickness

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:


1. Maximize Hydration

Dehydration can lead to altitude sickness — and it can happen quickly if you're not careful about your water intake. High altitudes will cause increased respiration and have a dryer climate that can worsen dehydration.

Experts recommend that you drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water. Before beginning your climb and the days before you should try to maximize your hydration as best as possible. Also while climbing bringing plenty of water is utmost important.

TIP: Take hydration packets like Zaca to increase water absorption and electrolyte intake, which is easy to take on your climb in a chewable form.

2. Rest & Acclimate

An effective way to prevent altitude sickness is to rest and acclimate yourself before hiking or climbing. As mentioned, this means spending ample time in Colorado Springs before you start climbing the mountain.

You'll want to give yourself at least 1-3 days before starting your hike up Pikes Peak. This will give your body time to adjust to the lower oxygen levels. While still extreme because you'll then ascend from 6035 feet to 14115 feet, it will at least give your body a head start, as locals have a slightly easier time being already adjusted to Colorado Springs altitude.

Don't overexert yourself or do any strenuous activities for at least 24 hours after arriving in Colorado. Along with getting a good nights rest, this also gives your body time to adjust to the new elevation and avoid the symptoms of altitude sickness.

3. Take Altitude Supplements

If you want to prevent altitude sickness naturally, taking altitude supplements is the best option. In our years of research, we've narrowed it down to the top natural ingredients back by science that we'll reveal below.

Here's the top 2 natural ingredients in altitude supplements:

  • Glutathione - This amino acid was shown in research to deplete at high altitudes.¹ Also known as the body's master antioxidant, Glutathione can be supplemented to replenish your lost Glutathione levels while also fight oxidative stress from higher altitudes.
  • DHM - This flavonoid extracted from Hovenia Dulcis has been shown in studies to improve performance at high altitude.² Due to increasing mitochondrial respiration activity, DHM is another powerful ingredient for altitude sickness and enhancing your performance.
Glutathione and DHM are key ingredients to consider in altitude supplements and help combat Pikes Peak altitude sickness.

Top Choice Supplement For Altitude 

Pikes Peak Altitude Supplement
Zaca chewables are made with a unique formula that provides both Glutathione and DHM to help you feel better faster at high altitudes. These chewables are a convenient, effective and delicious way to rehydrate, replenish and recover. Popularized throughout Colorado's mountain towns, visitors and locals alike use Zaca for everything from flight travel and workouts to mountain hiking, climbing and skiing. Try Zaca chewable tablets today and fuel your body for your altitude trek.

 

 

 



 

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