Hiking at high altitudes can introduce significant risk to any trip, even when the terrain or distance is not especially difficult. Since backpackers often fly to remote destinations to hike, the combined altitudes of their flight, the elevation of their new location and the distance hiked uphill can all combine to cause altitude sickness. Not everyone is affected by altitude sickness, and giving yourself time to acclimate to a higher elevation can help alleviate or eliminate the effects entirely.
Altitude Sickness
At high altitudes, or altitudes from 8,000 to 12,000 feet, some people begin to experience the effects of altitude sickness. These effects can become much worse at very high altitudes, or 12,000 to 18,000 feet, and extremely high altitudes, or more than 18,000 feet. Those who have never traveled to a high altitude should be particularly careful since they don't know how their body might respond. Traveling to high elevations can be extremely dangerous and should only be undertaken with full knowledge of the risks. Never progress if your symptoms are getting worse -- instead, head back down. Acute mountain sickness, high-altitude pulmonary edema and high-altitude cerebral edema are serious conditions that can develop at high altitudes.
Cause
Since there is less oxygen in the air at higher altitudes, your body has to speed up its breathing rate to bring in the same amount of oxygen. Even then, at high elevations you have less oxygen in your blood than at sea level. Hiking at high elevations uses up the same amount of oxygen as at sea level, but there is less available. The low air pressure can cause fluid to build up in the lungs and brain, which can lead to potentially fatal illnesses. The air is also colder at high elevations, which increases chances of hypothermia.
Acclimatization
Climbing too high, too quickly can cause altitude sickness. Symptoms may include a headache or feeling nauseous and weak. Acclimatizing yourself to the new elevation by letting your body rest for one to three days before climbing to a higher elevation will help reduce any possible ill effects. Each time you climb, you need to reacclimatize your body to the new elevation.
Prevention
If you can, avoid flying or driving to a high altitude. Walking up from below 10,000 feet will give your body more time to adjust than it would gain from a flight or car ride. If you can't walk to the destination, spend a day resting and taking it easy for at least 24 hours before going higher. When traveling above 10,000 feet, don't progress more than 1,000 feet up per day, and take a day off for every 3,000 feet in elevation gained. You can climb more than this provided you return to sleep that night at a lower elevation. Make sure you don't overexert yourself, and stay well hydrated since your body can dehydrate more easily at high elevations. Medications are also available that help prevent and alleviate the effects of altitude sickness.
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