Avoiding Altitude Sickness

Fortunately, altitude sickness can be avoided by slow ascensions, or acclimatizing yourself to the altitude. Sudden exposure to an altitude that your body is not used to is what brings on altitude sickness in most people. Every year people travel to Colorado from all over the world to hunt. Many come from areas with elevations of no more than a few hundred feet. They arrive in Colorado and start hunting at 9,000 feet almost immediately. Their bodies and their lungs have had no time to adjust and get use to the altitude here and many of them get altitude sickness. Even Colorado residents can succumb to altitude sickness. Travel from the eastern plains (elevation of 3,500 feet) to the mountains (8,000–10,000 feet) is more than enough elevation gain to bring on symptoms of altitude sickness.

To avoid this, slowly ascend in altitude. Take your time, and do not over-exert yourself until you’ve had time to adjust. Avoiding strenuous activities like hiking, skiing, and running within the first 24 hours at elevation can drastically reduce the risk of altitude sickness. Other factors like consuming alcohol and sleeping pills can increase the risk of altitude sickness and should be avoided within the first 24 to 48 hours spent at altitude. Drinking more water and staying well hydrated can reduce the risk of altitude sickness.

If you do feel the symptoms of altitude sickness while in the wilderness, the most effective treatment is to descend in altitude. The lower you are, the more oxygen there is, and the better you will feel. In some extreme examples, people might need some supplemental oxygen to recover, but for most people, simply descending will do the trick.

Altitude sickness alone is rarely life-threatening. Experiencing its symptoms in the wilderness is the real danger. Dizziness while hiking over uneven rocky terrain while carrying a loaded firearm is extremely dangerous, as is disorientation in remote wilderness areas. Many hunters ignore the signs of altitude sickness, push themselves too hard, and end up falling or lose their way and become lost. Because of these dangers, it is always best to pace yourself at altitude. Don’t push yourself too far too fast, and avoid moving quickly from low altitude to high altitude.