The BritishV8 Pub

For your lowlanders who haven't visited Colorado Springs before, the altitude can produce some unusual effects such as dizziness, nausea and headaches..

Here are some tips to help you acclimate to our elevation and to give your body time to adjust to the altitude and prevent altitude sickness:

1) Stay below 7,000 feet the first day. The hotel is about 6300 feet, just west goes from 6500-8500 feet.
2) Give your body time to adjust (there's lots to see and do at lower altitudes.)
3) Avoid strenuous exercise the first day.
4) Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol binds oxygen and water and robs your body of these two important nutrients.
5) Drink more water. The air is drier and your body dehydrates much more quickly the higher you go.
6) If you begin to experience blue finger nail beds, severe coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or chest pain, get to a lower altitude as quickly as possible.
7) The effects of some drugs can be greatly increased at higher altitudes so check with your doctor first.
8) Get plenty of good rest and enjoy yourself!

Quote:

Limit alcohol intake.

Not a problem. I have been to the last 16 of these V8 Meets. The parking lot trash cans were always overflowing with...,,,uh, water bottles....... yeah, that's it....water bottles! ;)

I had altitude sickness once a few years ago in Breckenridge, and didn't recognize the symptoms until I landed in the ER. A snowboarder crashed into me causing a very bloody gash to my scalp. Ski patrol loaded me in a sled and took me down the mountain behind a snowmobile; helluva ride.
I was a bloody mess when the ski patrol delivered me to the Doc in a box at the bottom of the mountain. He asked me all these questions about altitude sickness and told me I had it bad. Then he put me on oxygen for 3 days and some drugs. this ruined my ski vacation.

I start taking a generic version of DIAMOX (Rick probably lnows this drug) a day before I travel to anyplace higher than Denver. Altitude sickness really can cause problems.

So be careful if you are a flatlander, it can sneak up on you.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/20/2014 05:30PM by lawnvett.

Yes...do indeed drink LOTS of water and LIMIT your alcohol intake, especially the first couple of days at altitude.

You might ask you physician about ACETAZOLAMIDE, which is the generic name of Diamox to which P.J. mentions in his post.

The usual dose is 125mg two times daily.

To prevent altitude sickness, start taking acetazolamide one or two days before you start to climb. Continue taking it while you are climbing and for at least 48 hours after you have reached your final altitude. You may need to continue taking this medication while staying at the high altitude to control your symptoms. If you develop severe altitude sickness, it is important that you climb down as quickly as possible. Acetazolamide will not protect you from the serious effects of severe altitude sickness

My younger son got altitude sickness skiing at Breckenridge too. Headaches, a bit of neusea, etc. After a couple of days we were clued into grocery and pharmacies that sold small compressed O2 bottles. A couple of shots of that and he was good to go for about an hour or so.

Larry,

The burning question for me, is how is the snowmobiling and how late in the year can you ride there?!!!
We ride the mountains here usually 3000' to 7000' although I've been as high up as 9400'.
I couple of times during a good snow year we have been able to ride on the 4th of July before!

Bill



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/20/2014 11:44PM by MG four six eight.

Ski slope webcam to watch:

[www.arapahoebasin.com]

Breckenridge Webcams:

[www.breckenridge.com]

Looks like most of the slopes are closed. Maybe the Nat'l Forest trails will still have snow. Y'all probably get more moisture from the Pacific Ocean in Washington, Bill.

Call 'em & ask how long they expect the snow might last.
[novaguides.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/21/2014 09:30AM by MGBV8.

Altitude Sickness is from inability to process oxygen. Usually occurs around 8000 feet & up. I hope most will be okay in Colorado Springs. Of course, everyone is different & when we get out & about there may be some symptoms arise. I'm sure friendly Pharmacist Rick & lovely wife Nurse Jean can handle Triage. ;)

Personally, I don't expect any problems (knock on wood). I have been on many hiking/camping trips with the Boy Scouts on the Appalachian Trail along the TN/NC border in the 5000-6000+ range. Hiking over a peak of 6285 with full packs. Not much higher available here. No issues with anyone on the trip including our 77 year old Scoutmaster.

In my younger days, I hiked to the summit of Mt. Whitney (14,994ft), highest peak in the lower 48 states. We camped at the base camp around 9000 then again at the trail camp at 12000. No one ever mentioned altitude sickness. I did start seeing the pebbles on the ground moving around when stopping to rest near the summit.

I guess we'll see. I have my fingers crossed that nobody has any problems with the thin air in Mile High Country.

Bill, I don't snowmobile, but the high country had about a 3ft snowfall 2 weekends ago. A few years back Arapahoe basin slopes were open into June.

Larry,
June sounds about right for the upper elevations. Once it starts to get hot, she melts off pretty quick.

Carl,
Yes, all that rain that we get in the low lands, usually (hopefully:-) falls as snow in the mountains. During the 98-99 season MT. Baker set the world record for snowfall at 95 feet!! That was one of the years we rode on the 4th of july and a couple of buddies snowmobiled in early August!

Bill

Just a thought - I can bring an oximeter - I just need to replace the batteries.