In planning our trip to the southwest we considered some safety tips but really did not know some of the more practical things until we arrived and got some safety training from locals. What we learned is crucial information about maintaining health and welfare in traveling to higher elevations like the mountains of Colorado and the higher elevations in Arizona from lower elevations.
Coming from Florida we traveled from about 10 ft elevation to 6,500 ft elevation in Colorado Springs. No matter what kind of shape you are in you will have to adjust to the elevation change because there is much less oxygen at these higher altitudes. The Visitor’s Guide for Safety in Southwest Colorado states one can develop altitude sickness at altitudes as low as 5,000 ft. Therefore don’t expect to go out and hike a mountain or go for a 5 mile jog your first few days in an area where you have traveled above 5,000 feet.
The symptoms of elevation or altitude sickness, also called mountain sickness, are headache, nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. Though doctors are not exactly sure why people experience these symptoms it seems to be a result of the body adjusting to the changes in elevation, decreased oxygen and humidity levels.
To aid your adjustment and avoid altitude sickness drinking a lot of water is a must. If you are hiking the recommended amount is 1 quart per hour (carry the Sport Berkey and use a water bottle sling). Even if you are not hiking, to avoid dehydration due to the more arid environment in the mountains of the southwest drink lots of water, avoid alcohol as it dehydrates the body, get plenty of sleep, and eat healthy foods like fresh produce and complex carbohydrates.
Another major safety tip has to do with the sun. It never occurred to us that being 6,500 feet closer to the sun would make that much of a difference. But with the atmosphere being thinner this results in many more UV rays coming through and your skin is the target. We definitely noticed the difference and Alan who was wearing a hat the first day we hiked, got sun burned on his face. This never would have happened in Florida. After that initial burn, we decided to heed our friend’s wise advice to use sunscreen even though we were also wearing hats.
So bring a hat, sun glasses and at least 15 SPF sun screen. Use sunscreen liberally before going outside for more than 20 minutes. And remember, the sun does not have to be shining in order for you to need sunscreen since the UV rays are deceptively more dangerous on an overcast day.
UV rays can also cause snow blindness. The symptoms of which may show up after several hours of exposure to the sun and may include watering eyes, eyelid swelling, and a gritty sensation in the eyes. So sunglasses that block 100% of UV light can help you avoid this possible high elevation danger.
Having a good quality moisturizer for the face, body and hands will be your best friend on a trip to higher elevations. Coming from the very humid climate of Florida we anticipated dry skin, but not to the extent we experienced it. It was necessary to apply face and hand moisturizer several times a day. I found Oil of Olay’s fragrance free complete formula with sunscreen to do the job well. A Burt’s Bees Lip Balm with Sunscreen was also applied liberally several times a day.
If you will be doing any amount of hiking the Visitor’s Safety Guide for Southwest Colorado also recommends the purchase of a hiking license for $1. Having a license will ensure that the cost of search and rescue services are covered should an unforeseen accident occur.
A final tip for traveling to higher elevations came from a fellow traveler we met this morning at the Cliff Dwellers Lodge in Marble Canyon. This Oklahoman who was sightseeing the great canyons and mesas of Arizona on his motorcycle and was also a bicycle enthusiast reminded us, “Don’t look where you don’t want to go.” The ultimate elevation safety tip is to drive with extreme caution up and down the mesas and mountains. One can easily ascend and descend from 4,000 ft to 9,000 ft or more and the scenic vistas are absolutely amazing tempting the driver to take his or her eyes off the road. Be safe and use the scenic pullouts to stop and enjoy God’s awe inspiring handiwork.
Being aware before you travel will help you have a safer and more enjoyable trip in the Colorado and Arizona areas.
Tags: Destinations
[…] Days 4-7 Drive from Hays, Kansas to Colorado Springs, CO (arrive early afternoon on Day 4) Stay: We stayed with friends Visit: Garden of the Gods, Drive up to Cripple Creek to view Aspens, Glen Erie Conference Center to view big horn sheep, Garden of the Gods is worth seeing twice – at least early morning and at sunset. Travel tip: Take preventative measures as you move into high elevations and avoid elevation sickness. […]