Colorado altitude sickness
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
You don't feel the effects of the altitude until you sleep at that elevation. Riding to the top of a mountain and down again won't cause any problems. Also a gradual ascent will allow the body to acclimatize to the elevation. The body can easily adapt to 3000 vertical feet per day. So if each night you sleep at an elevation no more than about 3000 feet more than the previous night you won't feel the effect of elevation. On the other hand if you were to come from sea level to 8000 feet in one day as it is along some highways in colorado you would most definately feel elevation sickness when you woke up the next day. The sickness feels similar to a bad alcohol hangover. Puking, head throbbing, no energy.
I know this. I've done some high altitude mountineering in the Andes around the Aconquaga area. Only made it to 5000 meter level on a mountain named Vallecitos. Then came down with a condition called Pulminary Edema where fluid begins to fill your lungs... but I digress.
I know this. I've done some high altitude mountineering in the Andes around the Aconquaga area. Only made it to 5000 meter level on a mountain named Vallecitos. Then came down with a condition called Pulminary Edema where fluid begins to fill your lungs... but I digress.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 0
From: Bloomfield New Mexico
I rode my 96 FLHT with side car to the top over labor day and had no trouble. the road is paved all the way to the parking lot. the parking lot is not paved. My wife has copd and I have had a hart attack. We did not have much truble just had to go slow and not over do it.We did not stay on top long. We live at about 6000 ft. and had been in the mountins all week.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 505
Likes: 2
I'm a sea level resident so when on Trail Ridge this August (and Eisenhower Tunnel) I was keeping a lookout for altitude sickness. We spent our first night at height in Empire (8600 ft) and only noticed a little extra breathlessness when jogging slightly uphill (we're all in our 50's except my son who's 20) back from the bar to the Peck House Hotel. My son smokes and he was noticeably more affected. Next day we went into Rocky Mountains NP up to 12000 feet and 2 of us (me included) got momentary lightheadness once or twice at the visitor centre. We are all averagely fit or better (except the smoker) with no health problems.
Stay hydrated, monitor yourself but relax and enjoy yourself.
Stay hydrated, monitor yourself but relax and enjoy yourself.
Stage I
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Planning on a bucket list trip at the end of the month and have a question about rideing in the rocky mountains. Has anyone experienced altitude sickness around the Pikes peak area ??
I am planning on trailering to the Denver area and riding as I feel like it. On the days that I don't feel up to rideing I can always roll my Blazer. I got alot of heart issues but there are still things that I need to see from the seat of my scooter and pikes Peak is one of them.
I am planning on trailering to the Denver area and riding as I feel like it. On the days that I don't feel up to rideing I can always roll my Blazer. I got alot of heart issues but there are still things that I need to see from the seat of my scooter and pikes Peak is one of them.
CHEERS 😀
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Aug 18, 2014 11:05 AM
