Altitude Sickness in Colorado: My Experience and What I Learned

 I’m used to life at sea level in Virginia Beach, so when I traveled to Colorado and found myself at nearly 10,000 feet, my body wasn’t exactly prepared. The scenery was stunning—towering peaks, crisp mountain air, endless blue skies—but behind the beauty was a very real challenge: altitude sickness.

By the second day, I was feeling it. The dull headache set in first, followed by waves of exhaustion and shortness of breath. Climbing a set of stairs felt like running a marathon, and even a short walk left me winded. It wasn’t the kind of tiredness you can shake off with coffee or a nap—it was a deep, heavy fatigue that made every activity more difficult than expected.

Crystal Mill

My Attempt at Oxygen Therapy

In some Colorado towns, oxygen therapy is a common service, and I decided to give it a try. Hooked up to a tank, I breathed in the concentrated oxygen for about 20 minutes. The results were almost immediate—my headache lifted, I felt more alert, and even walking felt easier.

But the relief was short-lived. Within a couple of hours, the symptoms crept back. While oxygen therapy was a good temporary fix, I quickly realized it wasn’t a cure—my body still needed time to adjust to the thin mountain air.

When Altitude Changed My Plans

One of the hardest parts was realizing I couldn’t do everything I had planned. I had a bucket list of hikes, photo spots, and small mountain towns I wanted to explore, but the altitude slowed me down. Instead of cramming in everything, I had to take it easy for a couple of days, adjusting my pace and resting more than I expected.

At first, it was frustrating. But slowing down also gave me a chance to soak in the mountain atmosphere in a different way—watching sunsets from the porch, strolling through town instead of rushing from trail to trail, and just appreciating the Rockies at a slower rhythm.

Why Altitude Affects the Body

The science behind it is pretty simple: the higher you go, the thinner the air. At 10,000 feet, there’s significantly less oxygen available with every breath compared to sea level. For someone like me, coming straight from Virginia Beach, the jump was dramatic. The body eventually adapts by producing more red blood cells, but that process takes days—not hours.

Tips That Helped Me (and What I Wish I Did Differently)

Looking back, here are some strategies that eased my symptoms—and a few I’ll make sure to do before my next high-altitude trip:

• Hydrate constantly. Drinking water throughout the day lessened my headaches.

• Take it slow. Pushing myself only made things worse. Short walks and frequent breaks helped.

• Avoid alcohol and heavy meals. They made symptoms worse. Lighter meals and hydration worked better.

• Rest when needed. Sometimes the best thing was simply giving my body a break.

• Acclimate gradually (if possible). Spending a night or two at a lower elevation before heading higher can make a big difference.

Altitude Sickness Checklist

If you’re planning a trip from sea level to the Rockies or any high-altitude destination, here’s a quick checklist to prepare:

✅ Plan an acclimation day if possible before heading above 8,000–10,000 feet
✅ Drink plenty of water (start before you arrive and keep a bottle with you)
✅ Pack light snacks instead of heavy meals
✅ Avoid alcohol and caffeine for the first couple of days
✅ Pace yourself—don’t expect to do everything right away
✅ Know where oxygen therapy is available in mountain towns
✅ Listen to your body—if you feel exhausted, rest
✅ Have a backup plan in case you need to skip or delay a bucket list stop

Lessons Learned in the Rockies

Altitude sickness was a reality check. I had expected to be tired, but I wasn’t prepared for just how much it would affect me—or how it would change my travel plans. I didn’t make it to every place on my list, but I still came away with incredible memories, photos, and lessons learned.

Next time, I’ll travel smarter: build in acclimation days, go slower at the start, and respect the power of the mountains as much as their beauty. Because while the Rockies may take your breath away in the figurative sense, they’ll also do it quite literally if you’re not careful.