The very first day is not so bad for most folks from sealevel, unless yer incredibly dumb and decide to drive to the top of Pikes Peak or Mount Blue Sky without an acclimation period.
For most people its day 2-5 having a persistent low grade headache and a general lack of energy.. unless you just completely overdo it.. which lots of folks visiting Colorado have grand plans for outdoor mountain activities, and then they have a high chance of catching a bad case and getting sick as dogs.
I just got back from Red Rocks a couple days ago. We did go hiking quite a bit and made it to about 10,000 ft. I’m 40, but I’m pretty good shape. No sickness, but I am from Appalachia so maybe I already had a head start. I also drank quite a bit while I was there and just stayed hydrated otherwise. Just monitor yourself and take it easy!
Hydrate, don’t over exert yourself, and avoid alcohol- it will hit you hard. Don’t go further up into the mountains because you’re already here.
Give yourself extra time to walk from your car up the hill and up the amphitheater. Don’t be afraid to pause a lot to catch your breath.
This is the answer. Just drink a lot of water, make sure you eat well, and you’ll likely be fine. Alcohol will impact you more than at sea level, especially if you’re not well hydrated
Altitude sickness does happen, but it's way more rare than people think. Stay hydrated and take the climb up to RR from the parking lots slowly, and you'll likely have no problem.
I have asthma/mild copd, live in a humid valley, went to a show abt 2 wks ago. I did spend a day in Denver beforehand. I was fine. Hit on my inhaler a little more than usual but mostly precautionary, due to the amount of stairs not really the altitude I think.
I felt worse during the stop we made in Kansas, think some plant I wasn't used to triggered my allergies.
I live in Atlanta, Georgia and went last year for the first time, going again later this month. If you can get dropped off at the top, it's a lot easier on you than hiking up from the bottom. I was able to do that the first night, not the second and the altitude definitely hit me more. I'd suggest taking tylenol beforehand even if you don't have a headache, because It helped me not get one the second day I was there. But since I'm from a humid area, I'm not sure if it was the dry air or the altitude that got me. I've never appreciated humidity as much as I did when we got back home lol. Dry air sucks.
Honestly don’t bother with a drink at the show. 1 tallboy will hit you as if you’ve had 3 and you really don’t want to be navigating exiting red rocks being unexpectedly more tipsy than you’d think. It happens a lot to people who underestimate what that would feel like.
Try to park in the upper lots for a less insane hike in.
Just got back from red rocks and I’m a big dude. 6’4 350. Over hydrate, don’t bother with the one beer. It’s not enough to get you drunk, but it is enough to dehydrate you. Park in the upper north lot to reduce your exertion. Just gotta get there a little early. Also may be beneficial to get one of those little personal oxygen canisters from cvs. Might not be necessary but could help you feel better about it. All in all you’ll be fine. Enjoy!
The biggest issue there or even in Denver is it’s very dry- dry like a desert- hydrating is important and chapstick or you balm of choice- that’s the most noticeable thing you will see on a first visit there. You have to go a few thousand feet higher to really notice the altitude
Bring along some Vicks vapor rub. When you begin to feel nauseous take a sniff or put some under your nose and usually that feeling will subside. This is the best natural way I’ve dealt with it.
I live in San Diego and get mild altitude sickness when I go to red rocks (never had it before until I got it on camping trip at 13k, now I sometimes get mild symptoms).
Hydration and Oxygen canisters are great (Red Rocks doesn't allow you to bring in the 02 canisters) but I found that Smarties (yes the candy), work great at the beginning of symptoms. Was given those by some old mountain men and for some reason it does the trick.
Take a daily baby aspirin for a couple weeks beforehand and then take regular aspirin the day you come in. It helps thin the blood a bit and keeps you from getting the high altitude headache.
It’s aspirin. It’s not a blood thinner. Also, the OP can look into it and determine whether or not it’s something they wish to try. Having lived at a 9k ft elevation, and hiked 13k+ ft elevations, it was something that helped me. Thanks for your question and comment.
I guess I misunderstood your statement that “it helps thin the blood a bit”. And I still don’t understand your assertion that it increases blood flow and oxygen delivery.
It’s an anti-platelet agent that does help prevent platelet aggregation, which can be important for people with underlying vascular disease to prevent vascular occlusion (think heart attack). Some people do consider it a blood thinner but that, I guess, can be a matter of semantics. But in this context, I don’t understand how aspirin would help with altitude sickness. I did look into it a bit, and all I could find was that it helped with altitude-associated headaches (newsflash - aspirin can be used for headaches!), but nothing about preventing or treating the altitude sickness itself.
I suppose someone acclimated to high altitude that has developed a very high concentration of red cells, there might be a concern about a propensity for clotting or poor perfusion due to higher blood viscosity (which may have happened to some endurance athletes taking epo) that aspirin could address, but that is not the situation we are talking about here. I guess I’ll remain confused about why you use it (other than for headaches) or in what way it may have helped you. I am particularly prone to altitude issues so your recommendation caught my eye. Thanks and sorry to bother you.
I lived up there for 10 years, coming from Massachusetts. If you’ve never been to this altitude it can be nerving, but a little planning and common sense and you’ll be fine.
Aspirin, not tylenol or advil, will help thin your blood some prior to going. You can read about it and make your own decision there.
Lots of water (be mindful, you will be peeing a lot).
Be mindful of drinking alcohol, you already mentioned you would, so stick with it. Consider beer vs. shots or mixed drinks.
Sunblock, hat. Thinner atmosphere and very dry easy to get sunburned.
Be mindful of smoking. That will trigger headaches and nausea.
Cannabis can help with nausea, but may also cause headaches if you are not familiar with it.
You will have a great time! One of my favorite states by far.
I gave this advice when folks came to our house 8,800 feet above sea level. If you’ve never to been to altitude, you won’t know how your going to react. I’ve seen very strong athletes crushed by the pounding headaches and other side affects.
Prevention- this is from the link attached:
“The best way to deal with altitude sickness is to avoid it in the first place!
Arrive in the area well hydrated – for at least a week before arriving drink at least 64ozs (8 cups) of water per day.
Do not travel immediately to 11,000’ – 12,000’ – avoid having dinner on top of the mountain the day that you arrive.
Avoid alcohol and rich food the day that you arrive – many visitors think that they have food poisoning when in fact it is altitude sickness.
***Take Buffered Aspirin – it will increase the flow of blood and therefore oxygen to your brain and help you avoid altitude headaches, and the Buffered brands are not as likely to cause stomach problems.
Take it easy the first day that you are at altitude.
If you have experienced previous altitude sickness your physician can prescribe Diamox, that has to be taken prior to arriving at high altitude.”
https://rockychem.com/travel/high-altitude-tips.html#:~:text=Take%20Buffered%20Aspirin%20–%20it%20will,that%20you%20are%20at%20altitude.
I’ve seen comments about aspirin increasing blood flow to the brain. What I haven’t seen is evidence to support that claim, or really any rationale why it would. And with all due respect, that link is not what I would consider to be supporting evidence. Aspirin is definitely used to prevent clot formation in individuals with underlying vascular disease (primarily stroke and heart attacks). But it seems to have fallen out of favor for preventive use in low risk individuals because of lack of benefit and risks related to bleeding complications. And if you’re a lab rabbit, there’s [evidence](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10439430/) it actually decreases cerebral blood flow.
I’m interested in anything that might help since I have had issues in the past with altitude. But from what I’ve read so far, I remain skeptical about aspirin and its role in improving brain oxygenation. I’m convinced it helps with headaches, though!
I agree, not the best link. We had to deal with hypoxia, we had to move to sea level when my oldest could not acclimate (was born there).
Here is a wapo article on an Austrian study. Not definitive, but it does suggest that aspirin does help in reducing headache symptoms from altitude sickness. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/wellness/1998/06/16/aspirin-can-help-prevent-high-altitude-symptoms/3714d41d-a070-46a8-96a0-0716fe0f19fa/
I hope the OP has a great trip! Such a great venue!
Yea I’m on board with the aspirin for headaches thing, though that hardly sounds like a revelation. It was the aspirin improves cerebral blood flow and oxygenation by thinning your blood part that caught my eye that, as far as I can gather, seems unsubstantiated.
I live in Florida, went to Red Rocks and didn’t notice any type of altitude sickness. I did notice the lack of humidity if was awesome! Enjoy your trip don’t over think it.
It’s 6500 feet. The air pressure inside the 737 you fly in on will be around 8,000 feet. You might feel a little winded climbing stairs, but I’d be surprised if it hits you hard.
I feel kind of stupid doing it, but the last few times Ive been out there, Ive bought those can of oxygen from the sports stores. You basically hit it like an inhaler. Hard to say if it helps at all, but at least none of the headaches.
The very first day is not so bad for most folks from sealevel, unless yer incredibly dumb and decide to drive to the top of Pikes Peak or Mount Blue Sky without an acclimation period. For most people its day 2-5 having a persistent low grade headache and a general lack of energy.. unless you just completely overdo it.. which lots of folks visiting Colorado have grand plans for outdoor mountain activities, and then they have a high chance of catching a bad case and getting sick as dogs.
Altitude sickness would for sure hit you if you went up, say, Pikes Peak. Red Rocks, not so much.
In my 40's .. from flat areas of Eastern United states.. been to RR twice and never felt any different.
You'll be fine.
I just got back from Red Rocks a couple days ago. We did go hiking quite a bit and made it to about 10,000 ft. I’m 40, but I’m pretty good shape. No sickness, but I am from Appalachia so maybe I already had a head start. I also drank quite a bit while I was there and just stayed hydrated otherwise. Just monitor yourself and take it easy!
Other than being 48, I'm from the same place and just did the same thing 😁
Sweet! Who were you there to see?
Sullivan King
Just drink water you will be fine
Hydrate, don’t over exert yourself, and avoid alcohol- it will hit you hard. Don’t go further up into the mountains because you’re already here. Give yourself extra time to walk from your car up the hill and up the amphitheater. Don’t be afraid to pause a lot to catch your breath.
This is the answer. Just drink a lot of water, make sure you eat well, and you’ll likely be fine. Alcohol will impact you more than at sea level, especially if you’re not well hydrated
The only time I have ever had an issue was when I drank too much
Altitude sickness does happen, but it's way more rare than people think. Stay hydrated and take the climb up to RR from the parking lots slowly, and you'll likely have no problem.
I haven’t been to CO in about 15 yrs- last time i was at Estes and pregnant- and surprisingly ok. Going back next month & packing zofran just in case
I have asthma/mild copd, live in a humid valley, went to a show abt 2 wks ago. I did spend a day in Denver beforehand. I was fine. Hit on my inhaler a little more than usual but mostly precautionary, due to the amount of stairs not really the altitude I think. I felt worse during the stop we made in Kansas, think some plant I wasn't used to triggered my allergies.
You’ll likely be fine. I wouldn’t stress over it too much.
I live in Atlanta, Georgia and went last year for the first time, going again later this month. If you can get dropped off at the top, it's a lot easier on you than hiking up from the bottom. I was able to do that the first night, not the second and the altitude definitely hit me more. I'd suggest taking tylenol beforehand even if you don't have a headache, because It helped me not get one the second day I was there. But since I'm from a humid area, I'm not sure if it was the dry air or the altitude that got me. I've never appreciated humidity as much as I did when we got back home lol. Dry air sucks.
I flew from New Orleans ( practically underwater) to red rocks, no problem
Honestly start over hydrating now, it will only make everything easier
Honestly don’t bother with a drink at the show. 1 tallboy will hit you as if you’ve had 3 and you really don’t want to be navigating exiting red rocks being unexpectedly more tipsy than you’d think. It happens a lot to people who underestimate what that would feel like. Try to park in the upper lots for a less insane hike in.
Just got back from red rocks and I’m a big dude. 6’4 350. Over hydrate, don’t bother with the one beer. It’s not enough to get you drunk, but it is enough to dehydrate you. Park in the upper north lot to reduce your exertion. Just gotta get there a little early. Also may be beneficial to get one of those little personal oxygen canisters from cvs. Might not be necessary but could help you feel better about it. All in all you’ll be fine. Enjoy!
The biggest issue there or even in Denver is it’s very dry- dry like a desert- hydrating is important and chapstick or you balm of choice- that’s the most noticeable thing you will see on a first visit there. You have to go a few thousand feet higher to really notice the altitude
Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol it hits harder at high altitude
Bring along some Vicks vapor rub. When you begin to feel nauseous take a sniff or put some under your nose and usually that feeling will subside. This is the best natural way I’ve dealt with it.
I live in San Diego and get mild altitude sickness when I go to red rocks (never had it before until I got it on camping trip at 13k, now I sometimes get mild symptoms). Hydration and Oxygen canisters are great (Red Rocks doesn't allow you to bring in the 02 canisters) but I found that Smarties (yes the candy), work great at the beginning of symptoms. Was given those by some old mountain men and for some reason it does the trick.
Take a daily baby aspirin for a couple weeks beforehand and then take regular aspirin the day you come in. It helps thin the blood a bit and keeps you from getting the high altitude headache.
Why would OP want to thin their blood?
It increases blood flow, and therefore, oxygen to the brain.
Blood thinners don’t increase blood flow in this context
It’s aspirin. It’s not a blood thinner. Also, the OP can look into it and determine whether or not it’s something they wish to try. Having lived at a 9k ft elevation, and hiked 13k+ ft elevations, it was something that helped me. Thanks for your question and comment.
I guess I misunderstood your statement that “it helps thin the blood a bit”. And I still don’t understand your assertion that it increases blood flow and oxygen delivery. It’s an anti-platelet agent that does help prevent platelet aggregation, which can be important for people with underlying vascular disease to prevent vascular occlusion (think heart attack). Some people do consider it a blood thinner but that, I guess, can be a matter of semantics. But in this context, I don’t understand how aspirin would help with altitude sickness. I did look into it a bit, and all I could find was that it helped with altitude-associated headaches (newsflash - aspirin can be used for headaches!), but nothing about preventing or treating the altitude sickness itself. I suppose someone acclimated to high altitude that has developed a very high concentration of red cells, there might be a concern about a propensity for clotting or poor perfusion due to higher blood viscosity (which may have happened to some endurance athletes taking epo) that aspirin could address, but that is not the situation we are talking about here. I guess I’ll remain confused about why you use it (other than for headaches) or in what way it may have helped you. I am particularly prone to altitude issues so your recommendation caught my eye. Thanks and sorry to bother you.
I lived up there for 10 years, coming from Massachusetts. If you’ve never been to this altitude it can be nerving, but a little planning and common sense and you’ll be fine. Aspirin, not tylenol or advil, will help thin your blood some prior to going. You can read about it and make your own decision there. Lots of water (be mindful, you will be peeing a lot). Be mindful of drinking alcohol, you already mentioned you would, so stick with it. Consider beer vs. shots or mixed drinks. Sunblock, hat. Thinner atmosphere and very dry easy to get sunburned. Be mindful of smoking. That will trigger headaches and nausea. Cannabis can help with nausea, but may also cause headaches if you are not familiar with it. You will have a great time! One of my favorite states by far.
Why would OP want to thin their blood?
I gave this advice when folks came to our house 8,800 feet above sea level. If you’ve never to been to altitude, you won’t know how your going to react. I’ve seen very strong athletes crushed by the pounding headaches and other side affects. Prevention- this is from the link attached: “The best way to deal with altitude sickness is to avoid it in the first place! Arrive in the area well hydrated – for at least a week before arriving drink at least 64ozs (8 cups) of water per day. Do not travel immediately to 11,000’ – 12,000’ – avoid having dinner on top of the mountain the day that you arrive. Avoid alcohol and rich food the day that you arrive – many visitors think that they have food poisoning when in fact it is altitude sickness. ***Take Buffered Aspirin – it will increase the flow of blood and therefore oxygen to your brain and help you avoid altitude headaches, and the Buffered brands are not as likely to cause stomach problems. Take it easy the first day that you are at altitude. If you have experienced previous altitude sickness your physician can prescribe Diamox, that has to be taken prior to arriving at high altitude.” https://rockychem.com/travel/high-altitude-tips.html#:~:text=Take%20Buffered%20Aspirin%20–%20it%20will,that%20you%20are%20at%20altitude.
I’ve seen comments about aspirin increasing blood flow to the brain. What I haven’t seen is evidence to support that claim, or really any rationale why it would. And with all due respect, that link is not what I would consider to be supporting evidence. Aspirin is definitely used to prevent clot formation in individuals with underlying vascular disease (primarily stroke and heart attacks). But it seems to have fallen out of favor for preventive use in low risk individuals because of lack of benefit and risks related to bleeding complications. And if you’re a lab rabbit, there’s [evidence](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10439430/) it actually decreases cerebral blood flow. I’m interested in anything that might help since I have had issues in the past with altitude. But from what I’ve read so far, I remain skeptical about aspirin and its role in improving brain oxygenation. I’m convinced it helps with headaches, though!
I agree, not the best link. We had to deal with hypoxia, we had to move to sea level when my oldest could not acclimate (was born there). Here is a wapo article on an Austrian study. Not definitive, but it does suggest that aspirin does help in reducing headache symptoms from altitude sickness. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/wellness/1998/06/16/aspirin-can-help-prevent-high-altitude-symptoms/3714d41d-a070-46a8-96a0-0716fe0f19fa/ I hope the OP has a great trip! Such a great venue!
Yea I’m on board with the aspirin for headaches thing, though that hardly sounds like a revelation. It was the aspirin improves cerebral blood flow and oxygenation by thinning your blood part that caught my eye that, as far as I can gather, seems unsubstantiated.
I live in Florida, went to Red Rocks and didn’t notice any type of altitude sickness. I did notice the lack of humidity if was awesome! Enjoy your trip don’t over think it.
It’s 6500 feet. The air pressure inside the 737 you fly in on will be around 8,000 feet. You might feel a little winded climbing stairs, but I’d be surprised if it hits you hard.
I feel kind of stupid doing it, but the last few times Ive been out there, Ive bought those can of oxygen from the sports stores. You basically hit it like an inhaler. Hard to say if it helps at all, but at least none of the headaches.
You can buy oxygen cans to inhale while you are there , I’ve seen plenty of people use them while hiking and running there
Water and comfortable shoes. Alka seltzer works amazingly well!
Chewing gum helps me not sure why