Colorado Campout, Dispersed Camping & Altitude Sickness
Colorado’s many gifts: nature, friends, pets, fun!
Lessons Learned at our Colorado Campout
We had an amazing group campout in Colorado! The cameraderie, sharing, activities and lessons learned were invaluable. We’re looking forward to many more campouts in the future!
Here’s a few of our learnings:
Altitude can sneak up on you. You are not immune- nor is your pet!
Signs to look out for are headache (most common), fatigue-even when resting, malaise (feeling unwell), lethargy, shortness of breath, sleep disturbances, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting.
Things that make it worse: Going higher in elevation. Exercising at altitude. Increasing your altitude quickly (not taking time to acclimatize). Tobacco of any kind. Alcohol and drug use (especially sedatives.) Dehydration.
When you are above 8,000 ft, do not ascend more than 1640 feet per day.
Things to make it better: DESCEND! 100% Oxygen, Breathwork
Mild altitude sickness generally lasts a few days and symptoms get better as you get used to the altitude. However, severe forms of altitude sickness (HAPE and HACE) can be deadly within 24 hours. So it is critical to keep the symptoms from worsening.
Seek medical help if you have: Shortness of breath (even when resting), chest tightness or pain, clumsiness or coordination problems, confusion, slurred speech, decreased consciousness. (These are signs of HAPE and HACE and can be deadly within hours).
Pets can get it too. Our dogs became very lethargic and threw up. Another dog (short snouted) was taken to the vet and had pulmonary hypertension. Symptoms to watch for are: Vomiting, diarrhea, panting, drooling, loss of appetite, lack of coordination, plaid or blue tinged gums, dry cough.
Another lesson was realizing that getting outside our comfort zone is sometimes the push we need. We learn what path is needed to climb the preverbial mountain ahead of us. Listening to what our bodies and our nervous system is telling us is so important. Also, finding a group of people who support you makes a huge difference. Thanks to Adventure Together for supporting one another.
One final lesson was a fire building instruction with a successful campfire. We even tried our hand at using an axe and thankfully all of our limbs remained attached!
Dispersed camping
Dispersed camping is generally on public land (BLM or Forest Service.) We have found the most dispersed areas in the west and mountain west. It is free camping with no amenities. Some people are intimidated or afraid to go alone but don’t miss it. It’s a great way to find solitude in nature and the connection to our natural environment is best when there is nothing around.
Where to find it: The apps we use are IOverlander, Campendium (filter for free campsites), Google Maps, The Dyrt Pro, Gaia GPS as well as the site: FreeCampsites.net
Things to look for: Read the reviews and look for road conditions (Is 4X4 and high clearance needed?) Size of vehicles recommended. Location of better sites. Cellular service.
Once you are there: Make sure you have an exit strategy. Be prepared to be fully contained- meaning toilet, trash, water, electricity. Practice Leave No Trace. Camp at least 100-200 ft from water and roads. Don’t create new fire rings and of course, put your fire DEAD OUT!
Pro Tip: Go to a forest service ranger station and ask for maps, advice and current fire restrictions.
During our campouts, we practice finding sites together. Don’t be intimidated by this incredible way to camp. Our most memorable sites have been dispersed campsites!
