Altitude Sickness

Estes Park is located at 7,522 feet above sea level and Green Jeep Tours often takes its clients higher into the beautiful alpine environment of Rocky Mountain National Park and even into the tundra.  It is not uncommon for visitors to the area to experience symptoms related to this high altitude.  These symptoms may be mild, such a slight headache or breathlessness when walking or they may be more severe.  When the symptoms become more severe, they may indicate Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS.

Symptoms of AMS include:

• Headache

• Loss of Appetite, nausea or vomiting

• Fatigue or weakness

• Dizziness or light-headed

• Difficulty sleeping

While uncommon, the symptoms can become severe enough to require urgent medical treatment or hospitalization if not recognized and handled appropriately.

There are several things you can do to lessen the effect of the high altitude while staying in Estes Park.  They include:

• Drinking plenty of water (3 times your normal intake)

• Avoid excess alcohol consumption

• Avoidance of other sedating medications

• Eating light meals (carbs such pasta are great)

• Using ibuprofen or aspirin at recommended doses for mild symptoms such as headache.