. Altitude sickness is most aggravated by an increase in altitude, and physical exertion. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia, and nosebleed.
To avoid or reduce the effects of altitude sickness, try to acclimatize to the altitude. This can be done by slowly increasing your altitude each day, giving your body time to adjust. During these time periods refrain from physical exercise.
When backpacking, follow this rule: climb high, sleep low. During the day you can cover higher terrain, but camp at night at a lower altitude.
Tips to Avoid Altitude Sickness
Avoid alcohol or caffeine
Avoid physical exercise for first 24 hrs. to acclimatize
Acclimatize: stop at an intermediate altitude for 24 hrs.
Drink water to avoid dehydration
Reduce the amount of time spent above 10 thousand feet above sea level
Follow the climb-high, sleep-low rule
Mountain Weather Dangers
Blue Lake After Late-Summer Storm – South San Juan Wilderness, Colorado
The Rocky Mountains create an extensive barrier to the flow of air currents across North America. During the summer, these air currents (or wind) together with strong daytime heating produce thunderstorms in the mountains of Colorado nearly every summer day. Thunderstorms typically begin to form between 11 AM and midday in the Colorado high country and may sometimes linger well into the evening. By definition, all thunderstorms produce lightning. Thunderstorms may also produce strong, potentially damaging downburst winds, rain, hail, sudden drops in temperature, and even graupel (or ice pellets) at the higher elevations. And, what few people realize is thunderstorms can and do produce tornadoes even in the mountains. Every Colorado county has recorded at least one tornado since the turn of the 20th Century.
Thunderstorms pose a serious threat to hikers. With the proper guidance and preparation you can avoid or reduce the risk of serious injury or death while hiking in the high country during the summer thunderstorm season. To reduce the chance of being caught in a thunderstorm, many hikers avoid hiking during the afternoon. It is common practice to reach the summit of a mountain around mid-morning and then return to a lower elevation before thunderheads begin forming over the high ridges.