tekwriter

Elevation - you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that in the lower elevations of Colorado (like the Front Range which is Ft. Collins down to Colo. Springs), the weather is fantastic, even in the winter. Sure, we get some snow, but it doesn't last long because the sun is out quite a bit. A "dry" cold is just like a "dry" heat - easier to take! Days in the 50s and 60s are common of in Jan. and Feb. Summers can be pretty hot, sometimes over 100, but dry as well, and the when the sun goes down, so does the temperature. Not everyone has AC here either! So if you're looking to relocate, it's one of the top things newcomers like about living here - the weather!

TheWeasel

Someone mentioned saline spray - I haven't tried it yet, but coming from a humid climate I can about guarantee that your nasal passages will be dried out within a couple days. I have had problems with bloody noses, and breathing at night (not from the altitude, but because the inside of my nose is irritated and swollen from being so dry).

DebitNM

Saline nasal spray is a good idea here in the DRY Southwest. If you wear contact lenses or if you don't your eyes will feel dry too so artifical tears are good to use.

Lots of moisturizer for face, hands and lip balm is always helpful. I never go anywhere without hand cream and lip balm.

Debi

kimp

We live @ 1600' and have yet to have any problems with elevation. We have hiked to 11000' @ Mammoth Lakes in CA and other places thru out NW. We actually have a rougher time in our own neck of the woods sometimes because of the humidity. Just drink a lot of water and take your time. A few pcs. of chocolate never hurts anyone. Take the saline spray. It really helps if you get a dry nose. We have never worried about alcohol or caffeine, although we don't drink a lot of either. Enjoy!!

abram

We're skiers who travel from no elevation to the mountains 2-3 times a year.

It's my understanding that the problem with altitude is the dehydrating effect, and that alcohol and caffeine compound the problem because they are both dehydrating as well.

We avoid alcohol and caffeine for the first two days, drink lots of water, and take an aspirin every morning and every evening to thin the blood and improve oxygenation.

Even with that, we still tire easily and don't sleep well for the first few days. A humidifier in the bedroom helps.

Gretchen

What Sylvia says is right--common sense with wine and coffee. But water, sunscreen, etc. And Denver does have 300 days of sunshine a year. And that incredible navy blue sky at night!! Great place--we love it.

Elevation12Feet

I decided to come back to this post to give my experience for anyone who might be researching in the future.

DH and I felt some tiredness in our legs the first day while at Mesa Verde. We did not hike down to the ruins but the walking we did to the overlooks were felt.

The first stop on our journey was at a grocery store where we bought a case of bottled water. The low humidity does dehydrate you and make you thirsty. I don't think we could become dehydrated because we were constantly drinking. We had our morning coffees and enjoyed the fine micro-brewed beers of the region.

We spent the fourth day and night of our trip in Ouray, where we really felt the affects of the altitude. The town is set on a hill and the two blocks uphill from the B&B to mainstreet really got the hearts racing. There are benches set up all over main street, probably for the tourist.

We had no trouble sleeping/breathing at night and even enjoyed a couple of naps on the trip.

If we were planning on going back skiing or hiking I think we would need a longer trip to acclimate, but for sight seeing we had no serious problem.

DebitNM

topping for euclid

Cookiew

There is also a prescription medication that my MD recommended I try after a horrible 5 days in Denver once where I suffered badly (mostly insomnia) from the altitude (in great shape and not too old but WHAM!)Its called acetozolimide or something like that- you are supposed to take it several days in advance of your trip. I tried to take it prior to a planned trip to Salt Lake City but had every side effect possible and quit after 3 days. In SLC, at 4000 feet, I felt slightly better but avoided alcohol and caffeine like the plague. I still felt the altitude though not as bad as in Denver. It took about 18 hours in both trips for the altitude sickness to kick in-bummer!

DebitNM

ttt

tamarackidaho

Consider a diuretic the first two days, and the saline solution is a must.

socialworker

I have responded to other posts on this topic....After years of intermittently going to high altitude locales w/o any problem at all, my husband suddenly developed a bad reaction sometime in his 40s. Non-smoker, in good health and 3X week to the gym....He did not recognize it at the 1st incident, and attributed the bad headache for the 1st 24 hours to jet-lag. B/c there were MDs at his conference in Keystone, CO, they alerted him to the possible explanation for how he was feeling. His next trip it was significantly worse!

The thing about altitude sickness is that once you develop it, it seems to become worse with each time you go to a high place. He now has to take the prescription Rx at least 24-48 hours before going to a high elevation--5,000 or above. The med is not w/o some potentially scary side effects, but altitude sickness can be life-threatening.

Northanna

I found a cure for my altitude illness (which starts with a headache, then nausea - then I have to leave).

I read somewhere that ginkgo biloba will increase the body's ability to absorb oxygen. So before going to Colorado on June 30th (2007), for five days prior I took one capsule a day including the time that we were in Colorado.

We were up to 11,000 feet (from Durango to Ouray and around). I had no difficulty what so ever. And I had a great time the whole time I was there.

I'm hoping that this works well for other people.

DebitNM

topping

LHS

We're leaving for Colorado in 3 days, timely topped thread.

We live at 3500 feet, but I've had the nausea/lethargy at Cripple Creek & hiking in RMNP. Above 10,000 seems to be problematic for me.

Anyway, this is a good reminder to be drinking water.

Nilla

I live in Aspen, Colorado and everyone here that has altitude sickness can buy a "can" of oxygen to help. I don't know the name of it specifically, but have had several people use it while they were here. You simply inhale from the can and it is packed with oxygen. Do a web search to find out more....just a suggestion.