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3 Tips To Avoid Rocky Mountains Altitude Sickness

Rocky Mountains Altitude Sickness

Are you going on a trip to the Rocky Mountains? If you're planning a trip, hike or ski vacation in the Rocky Mountains, no doubt you want to be aware of the challenges of altitude sickness. The good news, there is something you can do about it. Being a Colorado-based company, home of some of biggest mountains in the US, we have three tips to prevent or avoid the consequences of rocky mountains altitude sickness.

Rocky Mountains Altitude

Rocky Mountains altitude varies greatly by location and state or providence.

The highest peaks rise up to 14,439′ feet (4,401 m) above sea level, such as with Mount Elbert in Colorado. The lowest points are in the valleys and basins of the mountain chain, and destinations such as Banff which is at 4,537 feet (1,383 m) in altitude.

Rocky Mountain altitude includes the following peaks:

  • Mount Robson altitude 12,972 ft (3,954 m)
  • Pikes Peak altitude 14,115 ft (4,302.3 m)
  • Mount Elbert altitude 14,433 ft (4,401 m)
  • Mount Harvard altitude 14,423 ft (4,396 m)
  • La Plata Peak altitude 14,360 ft (4,377 m)

    The Rocky Mountains altitude has some of the tallest peaks in North America, both in the United States and Canada. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometers) from the northernmost part of British Columbia and Alberta Canada, to New Mexico in the southwestern United States.

    Rocky Mountains Altitude Sickness

    Rocky Mountains is a beautiful place to visit, so much to see, so many activities and adventures to try. But the altitude is something you need to be careful about, especially when you are visiting from sea level. It poses a unique health hazard in the form of altitude sickness.

    Rock Mountains altitude sickness is caused by a lack of oxygen at high elevations, which can cause headaches, nausea and vomiting, fainting, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

    Altitude sickness symptoms in the Rocky Mountains:

    • headaches
    • tiredness
    • nausea or vomiting
    • malaise
    • loss of appetite
    • fatigue or tiredness
    • shortness of breath
    • insomnia or difficulty sleeping

    It's a common ailment that strikes many skiers, hikers and visitors who don't prepare themselves for the high altitudes of the Rocky Mountains. Elevations between 8,000 and 14,000 feet throughout the Rocky Mountains can cause several symptoms related to lack of oxygen in the blood stream.

    Most notably, the Colorado Rocky Mountains have fifty-eight 14ers, which are mountains described as being over 14,000 feet in elevation. Some hikers describe it as mild flu-like symptoms, while others say it feels like a hangover (minus the fun from the night before).

    Whether you're going to visit Vail, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Estes Park, Telluride, Aspen, or the many other destinations, it's best to be prepared on how to avoid altitude sickness.

    3 Tips To Avoid Rocky Mountains Altitude Sickness

    Some people are more prone to altitude sickness than others, but you can take precautionary measures to keep yourself safe while you're visiting the Rocky Mountains. We have three tips to help you avoid Rocky Mountains altitude sickness when you're enjoying your stay in the mountains:

    Here are three tips to help you avoid getting Rocky Mountains altitude sickness:

    1. Drink Plenty of Water

    The first thing that you need to focus on is drinking plenty of water. It's easy to get dehydrated when you're at higher elevations. The air isn't as moist as it is at lower elevations, rather a dry climate and you have higher respiration, so you lose more moisture when you exhale. You also lose moisture through your skin, so even if you aren't sweating, your body could still become dehydrated.

    To prevent dehydration and avoid Rocky Mountains altitude sickness, drink plenty of water. Drink water throughout the day, even if you're not thirsty. If you start feeling thirsty, it's too late; your body is already dehydrated.

    To boost your hydration, add Zaca's hydration packets to enhance water and electrolyte absorption.

    2. Take it Slow and Acclimate

    Acclimate to the altitude before going hard and fast. Give your body time to adjust by spending a day or two in a lower elevation city like Denver Colorado before heading up into the mountains.

    Altitude sickness isn't a joke and can be very dangerous if ignored. After arriving to your Rocky Mountains destination, don't over-exert yourself on the first day or two. I know this sounds obvious, but it's important that you don't engage in high-energy activities right away after arriving at altitude (unless you've been training at altitude or visited before).

    If you have a high altitude headache, some mild nausea, etc., take a day off from exploring and relax at your hotel or rental cabin.


    3. Take A Homeopathic Remedy For Altitude Sickness

    There's many options: high altitude pills, canned oxygen for altitude sickness, and supplements for altitude sickness. Homeopathic remedies for altitude sickness can help your body fight off the physiological effects of lower oxygen.

    We found science proving two homeopathic remedy ingredients effective at fighting altitude sickness. Here are those two ingredients:

    • Glutathione - Research has shown that Glutathione levels are depleted by high altitude conditions¹, while antioxidant supplementation helping fight off high altitude free radical damage.² Glutathione, being the body's master antioxidant, can help restore levels and help with oxidative stress when supplementing.¹

    • Glutamine - Studies have proven that Glutamine may reduce inflammation from high altitude low oxygen levels.³ In addition, Glutamine can help boost mood and cognition when at high altitudes.³
    These two homeopathic remedies, glutathione and glutamine, when taken can be effective at altitude sickness prevention.

    This concludes our list of the best, science-backed tips to avoid Rocky Mountains altitude sickness.

    homeopathic remedy for altitude sickness Colorado rocky mountains 
    Zaca chewables are quick and easy way to take both Glutathione and Glutamine for high altitude support. The berry-flavored tablets help your body rehydrate, replenish and recover faster. Simply take 2-4 chewables days leading up to your mountain trip, and each day during your visit. Pack Zaca chewable packets for your trip today and take them along on your adventure!








    SOURCES 

    1. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/
    2. High Altitude and Free Radicals
    https://www.jssm.org/hf.php?id=jssm-03-64.xml
    3. The Possible Importance of Glutamine Supplementation to Mood and Cognition in Hypoxia from High Altitude
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7760805/
    4. Rocky Mountains Elevation
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Mountains




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