Doris, a wonderful person and second mother to me, has made a great point about hiking and altitude.
As you explore the many facets of hiking and become better at it, you want to try new trails and paths. Some trails cover great distances on sea level, but most hikes you see or read about will have a variety of elevation. So what's to worry? What's a little climb up a mountain got to do with me?
Altitude sickness, or sometimes referred to as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is an ill-feeling brought about by rapid increases of elevation of over 8,000 feet above sea level. Some of the effects felt by a person suffering from Altitude sickness are headaches, nausea, and dehydration. If not careful, dehydration can happen quickly in higher altitudes due to high perspiration, low oxygen levels causing you to breathe harder to compensate. At the same time, water vapors are rapidly lost during breathing sending you deeper into dehydration.
Altitude sickness can be prevented! It's only a matter of practice.
Yes, that right! The best way to prevent the ill-effects of altitude sickness is to expose yourself gradually to the change in elevation. Study the trek (or hiking trip) you want to take. See what kinds of elevations you'll be facing. Anything below 8,000 should be safe, but it's always good to be prepared. Slowly start the climb up and notice how you breathe. Is it hard to breathe? Take a second to rest, drink water, and enjoy nature while your body acclimates to the new elevation levels.
If you start feeling any effects mentioned above its best to start making your way down and try again the next time you decide to hike. The best advice I can give is to LISTEN to your body. It will help tremendously if you listen AND understand what your body is telling you. There is nothing better than to be "in-tune" with yourself.
If you'd like more information, click on the "Altitude sickness" link above. Thanks for reading!
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