Any issues with altitude sickness? Water problems? Acclimatization to altitude?

[searust]

I am wondering if anyone has had problems with the altitude on the CT or how I should approach Altitude issues? Is there enough water to "extra-Hydrate" to alleviate altitude or dryness issues? It just seems that this is the one issue that I don't see covered that is really worrying me--- Should I plan on less mileage to acclimatize? How long does it take to feel normal?

[MuddyWaters]

If you start CT in denver and acclimatize the first several days hiking you should be fine. Most are. There are no guarantees. Altitude issues can be very individual. My wife has them bad.

[Coffee]

I had no issues starting in Denver. I took a little over five days to get to Breckenridge and do not recall any altitude related issues. I did not have any problems on Mt Massive about 10 days into the hike. I felt that altitude issues were less significant on the CT compared to the JMT where I wasn't feeling so great on Donahue Pass. But this is a really individual thing...

[Ercoupe]

Muddy has it right.

Lack of oxygen will slow you down on the climbs to the passes, just listen to your body and slow down.

I used the CT pocket guide and it was accurate for water sources. There are several sections with little water, but the guides give you plenty of warning.

Enjoy it is a great trail.

[Coffee]

Segment 2 is the first waterless stretch and best hiked early in the day since it is also partially burned out. A fire house near the end of the segment provides tap water for hikers. The CT data book has good water information.

[ChefATLTCT]

I started in denver and was fine until I went above 10000 ft, I got the sickness real bad. I got ride into a small town were i stayed in motel for the night and drank a gallon of water.Next day I was fine and had no problems later on even at 12000 ft or higher.

[wornoutboots]

I had problems on the JMT in my 1st thru attempt when I was trying to sleep above 11,000. I ended up bailing after 140. I was probably under hydrated & pushing it a little too hard @ 15 a day. This year I went out & completed it with a doctors prescription of an altitude med. I still pushed it @ 15 but drank much more & had no problems at all. Have a Great Hike!!

[Connie]

If truly a "flatlander" then, drink more water several days in advance, pee up to every 2 hours, to be well hydrated before you start out for Colorado.

Then, relax one to three days, for example. Maybe rent a car and drive to Colorado Springs or Golden. Be a tourist. Look around, visit mountain shops. Then, begin.

[Hot Flash]

I live at about 50' above sea level. I have no issues with altitude sickness, and in fact have bagged 14'ers in Colorado on the day of arrival. I do notice the lower oxygen levels for a day or two, but do not have any symptoms of illness. Then again, I have a friend who lives in Denver, who gets very sick if she goes above about 8500 feet.

Moral of the story is, some of us can shrug it off, others can't. You won't know your own reaction until you try it.

[Dogwood]

Read Ted Ehrlich's article. It's well done. Apply what you learn in it to your CT hike.

http://www.trailgroove.com/issue19.html?autoflip=11

[Connie]

It isn't possible to know how well you will do with altitude, described in the article, if you do meds mentioned, not recommended, in the article.

Denver, Colorado is "the mile high" city.

It is reasonable to see how you feel, there.

The article mentions salt, but not salt tablet specifically. Do not take salt tablets. If you are accustomed to using sweat and salt tablets, as a part of your "exercize regimen" you might consider high altitude may not be right for you.

My international "trekking" friends, like Nepal high traverse and more, say vitamin Q10 helps. They take it before and during. I have no idea, if it helps.

The only way to know how well you are at high altitude is to experience high altitude.

It is not particularly a "good idea" at high altitude to hike solo.

It is helpful to have someone else spot your symptoms, and, you are willing to be escorted to a lower altitude, escorted because "disorientation" hallucinations are a life-threatening danger involving thinking you can "fly" and walk right off a cliff. It happens. Euphoria is "common".

The roads can be at 10,000 feet altitude in Colorado, so getting up to high altitude can be very deceptive: you can be sitting in a restaurant in Cripple Creek, Colorado at high altitude.

Colorado has roads and dirt roads north, south, east and west criss-crossing Colorado at high altitude.

Most states, in the United States, have a Mountain Pass.

Colorado has roads practically everywhere, at high altitude. It is that different, in Colorado.

[colorado_rob]

I live at about 50' above sea level. I have no issues with altitude sickness, and in fact have bagged 14'ers in Colorado on the day of arrival. I do notice the lower oxygen levels for a day or two, but do not have any symptoms of illness. Then again, I have a friend who lives in Denver, who gets very sick if she goes above about 8500 feet.

Moral of the story is, some of us can shrug it off, others can't. You won't know your own reaction until you try it.

It does vary, and a "couple dozen" is not a statistically rigorous number, but over the 35 years I've lived in Colorado (Denver area), I've had a couple dozen sea-level-ish-dwelling friends and family members visit where we went right up into the mountains to at least 10K, and I can remember only one person getting actual AMS (acute mountain sickness). I think a lot of folks simply get very winded, which is pretty much 100% guaranteed, and feel low on energy, and immediately think they have AMS. If you get a splitting headache and/or puke your guts and really feel like crap, then you probably actually have it. anything less, well, it's just your body reacting to decreased O's. Again, 5% of my visitors (one person) has come down with it.

Also: It's much more prominent above about 11-12K, and thankfully the CO trail takes nearly a week of hiking below that before you're at 11K+, should be nice acclimating.

One piece of bad news: Being very fit does not seem to correlate to a resistence to AMS. One piece of GOOD news: Age does (the older, the better).

[LuckyMan]

I live at sea level but was so eager to start the CT I took off like a rocket, got sick and had to slow down for a few days. Next time I'll spend a few days car camping in the mountains first. As for water, the one stretch where I'd carry more next time is the notorious Indian Trail Ridge near the end.

[Dogwood]

"The only way to know how well you are at high altitude is to experience high altitude."

Saying that seems like your ignoring what Ted suggested to consider to avoid altitude related issues.

[Connie]

It isn't possible to know, in advance.

I don't know where there is disagreement: you would have to point that out.

[HeartFire]

For the first week or so of the hike, make sure you are down low (as possible) for the night - sleep at a lower altitude.

[MuddyWaters]

I have never had a problem going from sea level to 9000-10,000 ft, then hiking with skis the next day at 12,000 ft. I dont feel myself for a few days, and I get headache from a bad fall.

My wife, feels like crap for 4 days above 9000 ft just being there, has ended up on oxygen and with IV fluids a couple times.

Once, I did go straight from Denver to 14000+ in a dayhike. I felt like crap on top, and couldnt wait to get down. I mean I felt bad.

On JMT I had no issues whatsoever. None. I slept better than I ever slept in high country in Colorado, air was a bit more humid I think. I usually get dried out bad in Co. and that affects my sleeping.


My stepson, first time to Breckenridge, spent night in Denver, got to Breck the next day, walked up stairs into condo, and threw up. Continued throwing up for 2 days and ended up in ER with AMS. Didnt happen the next time taking Diamox.

My kids, have never had a single issue at all with getting to altitude fast. they are more resistant than me.

Just to illustrate, it depends. On the person, and on how fast you get there.

[garlic08]

To add to the tales, one summer, after summitting dozens of 14er's uneventfully, I was on a nice fall hike up Mt Meeker, a high 13er neighbor of Longs Peak. I was in the shape of my life, at a lower altitude than what I was acclimated to, and it hit. I lost my lunch and had to get down NOW. I'll never forget that feeling. Meanwhile, I'm sure dozens of sea-level tourists had just struggled up Longs and they were doing fine.

I'm not sure if it's true, but I'd heard an iron-rich diet may help build up hemoglobin in your blood. And while you're drinking lots of water to stay hydrated, be aware of hyponatremia if you're sweating tons--keep some salt in your diet but not too much. With the standard hiking diet that should not be a problem! One ramen oughta do it. As with all things, it's a balance.

Lots, and I mean lots, of tourists here have no problems at all beyond feeling little tired when exerting themselves. Chances are you'll be fine.

[Nooga]

Living in East TN, altitude was a major concern for me. I chose to drive out vs flying, to allow more time for acclimation. I spent 4 days in Northern NM and then a day driving to Denver. As others have stated, starting in Denver, you start at a relatively lower altitude and work up to the higher elevations. Keep hydrated and listen to your body. Luckily, I did not have any issues. If you use any tobacco products, it is recommended that you stop a couple of weeks prior to your hike.

[Havana]

I live at sea level. Out at Yellowstone where we were at 8,000-10,000 feet and I felt like crap for the first few days. As others have pointed out a day or two at altitude to acclimatize would be great. A local also made a recommendation for hydration, specifically, Gatorade, and it helped dramatically. I always carry powdered Gatorade now with me when I'm hiking. Listen to your body but hit the hydration even if you don't think you need it. That air at altitude is dry and your respiration is higher. Both these factors can dehydrate you without you even noticing it.