Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness, AMS) is the body’s response to reduced oxygen at high altitude. Common at RV destinations above 8,000 ft.

High-altitude RV destinations

Location	Elevation	Risk level
Bryce Canyon	8,000-9,100 ft	Moderate
Rocky Mountain NP Trail Ridge	12,183 ft	High
Yosemite high country	9,000-10,000 ft	Moderate
Grand Teton trails	6,500-13,770 ft	Moderate-High
Pikes Peak (Colorado)	14,114 ft	High
Crater Lake	7,000-8,500 ft	Low-Moderate
Beartooth Highway	10,947 ft	High
Independence Pass (Colorado)	12,095 ft	High

Symptoms

Mild AMS:

• Headache (most common)
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping
• Loss of appetite

Severe AMS (descend immediately if these occur):

• Severe headache that worsens
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Loss of coordination
• Shortness of breath at rest

Who’s at risk

• People coming from sea level to high altitude quickly
• Inadequate hydration increases risk
• Alcohol consumption accelerates symptoms
• Pre-existing conditions (heart, lung issues)
• Age: more common in adults 40+

Prevention

The cardinal rule: ascend slowly.

For RV travelers:

1. Spend a night at moderate altitude (5,000-7,000 ft) before going higher
2. Hydrate aggressively — 3-4 quarts of water per day at altitude
3. Avoid alcohol for first 24-48 hours
4. Eat carbohydrate-heavy meals (oats, rice, pasta)
5. Limit physical exertion day 1 at altitude
6. Take Diamox (acetazolamide) prophylactically if traveling above 9,000 ft (prescription required; talk to doctor)

Treatment

For mild AMS:

1. Stop ascending
2. Rest
3. Hydrate aggressively
4. Take ibuprofen for headache
5. Symptoms typically resolve in 24-48 hours

For severe AMS:

1. Descend immediately to lower altitude (1,000-2,000 ft lower)
2. Get medical attention if symptoms don’t improve
3. Don’t sleep at the high altitude

Specific RV planning

If your trip includes high altitude:

1. Plan an acclimation stop at intermediate altitude
2. Reserve a campground at moderate elevation before going to highest point
3. Bring electrolyte tablets and aspirin
4. Have an exit plan if symptoms develop
5. Identify nearest hospital with altitude treatment

Cooking at altitude

Cooking changes at high altitude:

• Boiling water at 8,000 ft: 197°F (vs. 212°F at sea level)
• Pasta cooks longer — 2-3 minutes additional
• Baking adjustments: increase liquid 1-3 tablespoons per cup of flour, increase temperature 25°F, add 1-2 tablespoons of flour per cup
• Pressure cooker advantage: works better at altitude for many recipes
• Coffee may taste different

Sleep at altitude

Sleep at altitude is often disrupted:

• Sleep apnea episodes more common
• Cheyne-Stokes breathing pattern (periodic breathing)
• Vivid dreams common
• Frequent waking

Plan extra rest time at altitude. Don’t rely on full nights of sleep.

Children and altitude

Children are particularly susceptible to altitude effects. Pediatric symptoms may differ:

• Irritability
• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy
• Difficulty feeding

Treat children’s altitude symptoms more aggressively than adult symptoms. When in doubt, descend.