High Elevation Hiking: Risks & Hazards
Summer is a time for chaco tan lines, dirt under your fingernails and messy hair. It's when the mountains come alive in all their glory. Lush landscapes of wildflowers, roaring waterfalls and sun kissed alpenglow. It can be a rewarding season of fun and play as long as we don't underestimate Mother Nature.
A hazard is something that has the potential to cause harm while risk is the likelihood of harm taking place based on exposure to that hazard. Risk management is something I learned very early on that has the power to strengthen or weaken any adventure and as a backpacking guide, understanding the risks and having a contingency plan is crucial to my work.
High elevation hiking is considered anything above 8,000 ft. I live in Colorado and work at Rocky Mountain National Park so I've seen how quickly the weather can change at that altitude.
Many risks can be avoided by having the knowledge of what to look out for and when it's time to call it and turn around. ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO TURN BACK.
The hazards are our environment. The risk is injury or death. Let's take a look at two of the most common occurrences in the high country- altitude sickness and exposure to lightning.
High Altitude Sickness
Oxygen molecules in the atmosphere are less condensed at higher altitudes because of lower atmospheric pressure. With less air pressure the oxygen molecules move into the capillaries making it harder for our bodies to take in as much oxygen. The pressure differential is what makes people sick.
Most people can acclimatize and minimize the signs and symptoms by:
Staying hydrated!
Not drinking alcohol or smoking at least 24 hours prior to your hike.
Spend a few days acclimating to high altitude ESPECIALLY if you are flying in from out of state.
Cardiovascular training at an incline.
Pace yourself on the trail.
Be ready to turn around if you need to.
Obtain a prescription of Diamox from your doctor if you come from low elevation states.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Headache *Treatment: Rest, Hydration, Emergen-C, Food, Descend
Irritable
Lethargy
Nausea
Vomiting
No appetite
High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
Severe headache *Treatment: Descend and Evacuate Immediately
Altered level of responsiveness
Hard time walking
Poor judgment
Seizures
Unresponsiveness
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
Coughing *Treatment: Descend and Evacuate Immediately
Bloody Sputum
Shortness of breath at rest
Rales
Cyanosis
Weak
Fatigue
Discomfort laying flat
Lightning
With warmer summer weather comes an increased chance of running into a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Lightning at high altitude is very common and can be extremely dangerous due to the amount of open exposure.
If you hear thunder you are within a striking range because lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from a storm. Count the number of seconds in between a lightning flash and thunder. This will help you determine the distance the strike is from you. Every 5 seconds = 1 mile away. So if you count 15 seconds the strike is 3 miles away. With this method you will be able to figure out whether the lightning is moving closer to you or further away.
Feeling your hair stand up or arms tingle is a good indication that you are in a highly charged electrical field and are in danger of a strike.
Safety precautions when caught in a storm:
Immediately descend below tree line. Being above tree line puts you in serious danger because lightning is likely to strike the highest point and with no trees around you are putting yourself at greater risk.
Avoid rock overhangs, cliffs, caves, open standing shelters, water and close contact with others.
Spread out at least 50-100 feet from anyone else to minimize the risk of multiple people getting injured.
Get low and take shelter under a group of thick smaller trees among larger trees. A thick forested area is better than a solitary tree which is the most dangerous to be near.
Drop anything metal, aluminum, or carbon fiber 100 feet away from you such as your trekking poles, external or internal framed backpacks, crampons, jewelry, etc...
If you are unable to get below tree line find the lowest point and assume lightning position. Crouch down on the balls of your feet keeping them close together so if a strike does occur it will be more likely to exit one foot and exit the other rather than going through the rest of your body. Cover your ears with both hands to minimize any hearing damage from the loud clap. The purpose of this position is to wait out the storm when it is impossible to move to another area. Remain in this position until at least the lightning to thunder interval is more than 30 seconds.
Starting early in the morning and making sure you are below treeline by noon is a pretty standard rule of thumb for high altitude hiking.
Always check the weather before you go. I like to use NOAA as my weather source. And keep an eye on the sky for any fast moving dark clouds or sudden shifts in wind direction.
Mountains create their own weather systems so it's important to be ready to adapt to changes because you won't get a lot of warning.
Understanding the hazards and risks of the environment you are exploring is key to remaining safe and having a fun adventure! If you plan ahead and prepare, you will greatly minimize your risk for an emergency occurring in the backcountry. I hope this helps you feel more knowledgeable and prepared for your next big hike!
Happy Trails xo Dee
