How to Recognize and Combat Altitude Sickness While Climbing: My Hard-Learned Lessons

Hey fellow climbers! After spending countless days in the mountains and experiencing my fair share of altitude-related challenges (including one particularly scary incident on Kilimanjaro), I wanted to share what I’ve learned about altitude sickness. Trust me, when I tell you that this knowledge can be a literal lifesaver – I’m speaking from experience.

Here’s a sobering fact that hit me hard: about half of us who venture above 14,000 feet will deal with some form of altitude sickness. Yeah, that’s right – 50%! I sure wish I’d known that before my first big climb.

The Real Deal About Altitude Sickness

Let me tell you something funny – on my first major climb, I thought my killer headache was just from not having my morning coffee! Turns out, I was experiencing the early stages of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). That’s the most common type of altitude sickness, but there are two scarier cousins: HAPE and HACE (pulmonary and cerebral edema – fancy medical terms for fluid in your lungs or brain).

You know what’s wild? I once saw a super-fit marathon runner get knocked flat by altitude sickness while a somewhat out-of-shape photographer had no issues. It opened my eyes to how this condition doesn’t discriminate – it can hit anyone, regardless of their fitness level.

Warning Signs I’ve Learned Never to Ignore

Let me share a quick story. Last summer, I was guiding a group in Colorado when one of our strongest climbers started getting “a bit of a headache.” He wanted to push through it (don’t we all?), but I’d seen this movie before. The headache turned into nausea, and then dizziness kicked in. Classic altitude sickness development.

Here’s what I’ve learned to watch for:

• Headaches that feel like your worst hangover ever
• That queasy “I don’t want breakfast” feeling
• Feeling like you’re walking on a boat (dizziness)
• Being way more tired than you should be
• Tossing and turning all night despite being exhausted

The Fatigue Factor – It’s Not Just Being Tired

Can we talk about fatigue for a minute? Because it’s not just about being physically tired. Last year, I stared at my compass for a full minute, unable to make a simple navigation decision. That’s when it hit me – mental fatigue at altitude is just as dangerous as physical exhaustion.

Your body’s dealing with so much up there:

• Muscles screaming for oxygen they can’t get
• The heart working overtime like it’s running a marathon
• My brain feels like it’s wrapped in cotton wool

And here’s the kicker – it’s all happening while you’re trying to make potentially life-saving decisions!

What Works (From Someone Who’s Tried Everything)

Okay, let me save you some trial and error. After years of experimenting (and yes, making plenty of mistakes), here’s what works:

First off, forget about rushing to the top. I know it’s tempting – believe me, I’ve been there! But the “climb high, sleep low” strategy is golden. Here’s my tried-and-true approach:

• Take a rest day every 3,000 feet once you’re above 10,000
• Drink water like it’s your job (I aim for 4-6 liters daily)
• Carb-load like you’re prepping for a marathon
• Consider Diamox (but talk to your doc first – I learned this one the hard way)

When Things Go South – My Emergency Playbook

I will be honest here – I’ve had to turn back from summits more times than I’d like to admit. But you know what? I’m still here to write this article, and that’s what matters. Here’s my emergency response plan:

1. The second someone shows serious symptoms, we stop. No debates.
2. We rest for no more than 24 hours – if things don’t improve, we’re heading down.
3. Oxygen is great if you have it (I always carry some now)
4. Having evacuation routes planned is crucial (after that one time when… well, that’s another story)

Pro Tips from My Trail-and-Error Diary

Let me share some real-world wisdom that you won’t find in most climbing books:

• Weather changes can make altitude sickness worse – I’ve seen it happen in minutes
• Keep snacks easily accessible – even if you feel nauseated, you need to eat
• Establish a buddy system – sometimes you won’t recognize your symptoms
• Don’t be a hero – the mountain doesn’t care about your ego

The Bottom Line (From Someone Who Cares)

Look, I get it. When you’ve trained for months and spent a small fortune on gear and travel, turning back feels like failure. But let me tell you – as someone who’s had to make that call multiple times – the mountain will wait for you. Your life? That’s not something you get a second shot at.

I’ve learned these lessons hard so you don’t have to. Take it from someone who’s seen both the triumphs and the close calls: respect the altitude, listen to your body, and never be afraid to turn around. The most amazing views I’ve ever seen were on mountains I had to try twice to summit.

Stay safe out there, fellow adventurers! And if you see me on the trail, stop and say hi – I always carry extra snacks and love swapping mountain stories!

P.S. – If you’re planning your first high-altitude climb, feel free to reach out with questions. We climbers have to look out for each other.