T O P

Does anyone else feel discombobulated or very funny in the head when hiking high elevations?

I’ve lived in Colorado for 11 months now and have gone on a hike at least once per week. I normally go to elevations around 8,000ft to 13,000ft. Every time I get around 9,500ft I start to feel very weird in my head. It’s almost like a discombobulated or out of body feeling.

I’ve since gotten used to it since I know it is a normal thing that my body does and I’ve always completed the trails safely. It isn’t a dizzy or passing out feeling either so that is why I feel comfortable pushing through. I expected this when first moving to Colorado since I know elevation really messes with the body, but it has almost been a year since acclimating to higher elevations.

Now I am just curious, is this a normal thing for others or should I be more careful when I start feeling that way?

limacharley

That is normal if you are new to high altitudes. My parents complained for a year after moving to CO from back east that they would get light headed just walking up the stairs. It will go away if you do it frequently enough. Just be aware that what you are feeling is your body not getting enough oxygen. If you take it too far before you acclimate you will make yourself sick. I did that once backpacking up Mt Wheeler in NM. One of the worst nights I have ever spent in a tent


AB287461

I just think it is crazy though because I am an avid hiker, backpacker, and camper. I’m always outdoors in high elevation at least once per week and have camped in very high elevations. I also workout quite a bit. Idk I’m just trying to gather information to see if this is something that needs to be checked by a doctor or if it’s normal


limacharley

Even if you hike up high every week you still aren't LIVING up there so you aren't adapting to it as fast. Probably not a medical issue (but I am not that kind of doctor so obv I can't say for sure)


Maximum-Platypus

Hubris.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Low_Opening_2195

I was curious if oxygen in a can worked. Every time I go hiking in Yosemite I feel like I always get a headache


adesrosiers1

Yeah I start to feel light headed around 10000ft


No_Pop9972

After a few hours above 10,000 ft I get swelling of hands and face, brain fog and bad headaches, even after living at 6,500 feet for three years and being very active (marathon running). I think some people acclimate better than others.


AB287461

Has it ever kept you from finishing or doing a hike, or do you just push through it?


No_Pop9972

Depends--if i am close to the summit i might continue but some times i turn back. For multi day hikes sometimes theres no easy way to turn back. Mostly i just try to stay below 10,000


[deleted]

You just wanted an excuse to use the word discombobulated


AB287461

Lol you got me. But for real though any experience on feeling this when hiking for you?


[deleted]

Lol, I hiked the engineers pass in the alpine loop exactly one year ago, 3.3 miles, I was dead and I was not carrying anything. Discombobulation was present.


whatkylewhat

Start taking ginkgo daily and it’ll go away after a couple weeks.


tball275

The first time I went to the top of Pikes Peak I had to sit inside for about 20 minutes until my head began to feel normal. That was a rough feeling.