Silverton and Eureka Lodge sit around 10,00 feet and chances are you’ll notice some changes such as some shortness of breath, headaches, and other annoying, but certainly not debilitating symptoms. Thankfully, there are ways to prepare your body for adjusting smoothly!

Drink A LOT of Water

As you gain altitude, your body tends to lose water and salt faster than you’re used to.. Many of the symptoms of altitude sickness mirror those of dehydration, so consistently drinking water throughout the day goes a long way to getting you acclimatized quickly.

Reduce Your Exercise

As you gain elevation, the air gets thinner so each breath you draw contains less oxygen so each heartbeat contains less oxygen, making your heart beat faster. Over time, your body strengthens and adjusts to accommodate this. In order to give your body time to adjust, it’s best to take it easy for a few days when you first get to 5,000+ feet.

Get Enough Sleep

One of the symptoms of altitude sickness is insomnia, so it can be hard to get enough rest. However, a good night’s sleep can do wonders to help you kick the problem. Don’t underestimate the power of a little cat nap if you can sneak one in during your day!

Limit Your Alcohol Intake

Alcohol hits a lot harder when you’re trying to acclimatize. Alcohol often replicates many of the symptoms of altitude sickness (nausea, dizziness, fatigue, light-headedness) so it’s a bit like doubling down on your body in terms of a negative impact. Drinking also adds to dehydration.

Increase Your Potassium Levels

Potassium loss is a pretty standard symptom if you’re feeling dehydrated from the dry air at elevation. It can be a major pain – literally. Muscle cramping is commonly associated with low potassium levels. Fortunately, it’s an easy nutrient to replace. Foods like bananas, avocados, spinach, yogurt, and kale are great go tos.

Protect Yourself From the Sun

At altitude, the air is thinner and as a result, there’s more exposure to the sun. Bring and use that sunscreen (the higher SPF, the better!), use lip balm with SPF in it, and have a pair of sunglasses handy.

Consume More Calories

Because of the reduced number of oxygen molecules in the air, your body works much harder to keep everything working. As such, it needs a lot more fuel. A high-calorie diet combining complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fats will help keep you full and keep your body running smoothly.

Consider Taking Acetazolamide

Acetazolamide is a drug that helps treat altitude sickness by fixing the chemical imbalance caused by ascending to a high altitude too quickly. Common side effects are mild, for example needing to urinate more often, and people generally have a positive experience with acetazolamide. Make sure to ask your doctor for their opinion before you take anything, and start taking it a few days before your trip to prepare.

Things to Do

Things to Do coming soon!