I know you have heard the spiel a hundred times before but allow me to be the 101st. Altitude sickness is a very serious condition and it not something to be taken lightly. That being said, not everyone is affected by altitude sickness. However, if you are one of the unlucky ones, follow the steps below to alleviate your symptoms and regain control of your vacation.
1) Stay Hydrated
Water is your best friend at altitude. Start hydrating a few days prior to arrival to help avoid altitude sickness. Avoid caffeinated and sugary drinks. While such beverages are tasty, they act as a diuretic and will dehydrate you. If you find yourself on the brink of altitude sickness or wake up with a hangover, try Pedialyte. Pedialyte is an electrolyte loaded children’s drink. What most people don’t know is this drink will rehydrate your body much quicker than Gatorade and it tastes good!
2) Eat Properly
Take care of your body! Skiing, kayaking, rafting, hiking, and mountain biking are extremely taxing activities. Eating is just one of the many hidden gems of the mountain town of Breckenridge. Check out Relish, Hearthstone, Ember, Fatty's Pizzeria, Angels Hollow, South Ridge Seafood and Grill, Taddeos, and the Breckenridge Brewery.
3) Take it Easy
Be careful before overindulging! At this altitude, alcohol and other substances can affect you in a greater manner. Give your body time to adjust to the thin air. We recommend easing into any strenuous activities during your first few days up here to avoid dehydration headaches. Most importantly – have fun and go at your own pace!
4) Get Some Air!
Come check out the O2 Lounge on South Main Street! The oxygen bar that doubles as a coffee shop is open every day from 10 am to 10 pm. The lounge offers 15, 30, and 45 minute sessions that help to combat altitude sickness, jet lag, fatigue, and hangovers.
Altitude sickness is extremely common and can be very dangerous. The headache will sneak up on your when you least expect it. Neither your fitness level nor being female or male plays a role in whether you will get the sickness. Symptoms of altitude sickness include: a throbbing headache, lack of appetite, feeling weak or tired, dizziness, and an inability to sleep at night. If you experience some or all of these symptoms, please take necessary precautions.
Now that you have all of the information to combat the dreaded altitude sickness…plan your rafting adventure with Arkansas Valley Adventures! We offer rafting trips, zip lining, hot air balloon trips, off road tours, and much more! We have outposts on the Colorado River, the Arkansas, and Clear Creek. Give one of our adventure specialists a call at (877) RAFTING or visit our website.
