Breckenridge is 9,600 feet (2,926 meters) above sea level.
At a high altitude like this, you can experience altitude sickness due to the changes in air pressure and oxygen levels. Symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Low energy
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- And more
If you don’t experience any altitude sickness, at the very least you’ll notice it’s more difficult to exercise and you won’t need as many alcoholic drinks as you normally would.
So, if you’re coming from sea level and going straight to Breck (aka not spending any time acclimatizing at lower altitudes), consider preparing a little bit before the trip…especially if you know you’re sensitive to high altitudes.
Below is a list of easy-to-do natural remedies that were provided to Lauren by a vendor she works with who gets altitude sickness easily. She recommended doing them 2 weeks prior to the trip.*
- Drink lots of water.
- Take an oxygen concentrate like this one and this one.
- Take liquid chlorophyll like this.
- Try gingko biloba and/or ginseng like this.
- Try this natural altitude sickness remedy.
While in Breckenridge, consider doing the following:
- Rest well the first day as you acclimatize.
- Drink even more water. Our doctor friend recommends doubling your sea-level hydration.
- For extra hydration, make sure you have some sort of electrolyte formula with you. Gatorade works. We also like these tablets and this powder when we hike at high elevations.
- Carry some extra oxygen with you or grab it at the nearby Walmart or King Soopers. (It is cheaper to get in advance here.)
- If you’re really not feeling good, try going to one of the oxygen bars or getting some IV fluid.
*We are not doctors so, please, check with a physician if you’re worried about the altitude or any of the above recommendations.
**Our doctor friend says if you’re really worried you might not tolerate the high altitude, you can get a diuretic called acetazolamide which can help. And, he says flying will help because they pressurize commercial airplanes at around 7,500 feet.
***At higher altitudes, Cam and Lauren have found that light exercise, lots of hydration, electrolytes, good sleep, and healthy eating do the trick for us. We don’t take any additional supplements.