listen i’ve been the idiot gasping like a fish on day one too many times. Prepare for high-altitude here’s the guide i wish someone had slapped me with before i thought “i run 5ks i’ll be fine at 14,000 ft.”
The Time I Lied and Said I Was Fine
colorado 14er, 2021. woke up at 3am to “get ahead of the storms.” by 12,000 ft my head was pounding so hard i was seeing stars. sat down, told my friends “i’m just tying my shoe,” then quietly puked behind a boulder. lesson learned.
Step 1: Don’t Be a Hero With Acclimatization prepare
- sleep at least one night at 8,000-9,000 ft before you go higher
- two nights is better, three nights and you’re basically superman
- denver doesn’t count. drive to idaho springs or leadville and chill
Step 2: Hydrate Like It’s Your Full-Time Job
- start 48 hours before. pee should be clear and boring
- on trail: 1 liter every 2 hours minimum
- add electrolytes or you’ll cramp and hate life (nuun tabs, liquid iv, tailwind, whatever)
Step 3: Carbs Are Your prepare New God
- eat pasta like an italian grandma for three days prior
- high altitude burns carbs, not fat. sorry keto bros
- breakfast of choice: bagel + peanut butter + banana + honey. thank me at 13k
Step 4: Meds (Talk to a Doctor First, Obviously)
- diamox (acetazolamide): start 24hrs before if your doc okays it
- ibuprofen for the headache from hell
- zofran if you’re a known puker (me)
Step 5: The Actual Hiking Part
- slow the hell down. “rest step” is real and you’re not weak for using it
- pressure breathe (forceful exhale like you’re fogging a window)
- pole pole (swahili for slowly slowly) works everywhere
- turn-around time is a suggestion until it’s not
Red Flags That Say Get Down NOW prepare
- headache + nausea + dizziness = acute mountain sickness
- confusion, stumbling, pink frothy spit = go directly to hospital do not pass go
- if your lips are blue take a selfie for proof then descend
My Current High-Altitude Obsessions prepare
- sleep in breckenridge or flagstaff before big days
- garmin watch with pulse ox so i can panic in real time
- ginger chews for the car-sick feeling
- telling myself “it’s just a little headache” until i’m crying (don’t do this)
high altitude doesn’t care how fit you are. it’s a humbling little jerk. respect it or become a cautionary tale.
what’s your worst altitude meltdown story? drop it below so i feel less alone while i google “how early is too early to take diamox again.”
now excuse me while i chug water and stare nervously at the forecast for my next 14er. send oxygen and dignity.
