Play It Safe on Your Rocky Mountain Vacation

Nothing is more fun than a Rocky Mountain vacation, so play it safe while you enjoy the great outdoors. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Drink lots of water. One of the most common reasons people get sick while vacationing in the Rocky Mountains is dehydration. More water evaporates from your lungs at higher elevations, so your body can become dehydrated quickly. Some people don't feel thirsty, so it's important to drink water even if you think you don't need to. When I first moved to Colorado, I could tell I wasn't getting enough water when my nose got stuffy.

Another problem encountered by people enjoying a Rocky Mountain vacation is altitude sickness. This common ailment may cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Try less strenuous activities the first few days in the mountains. Drink plenty of water. If you feel worse or develop other problems, descend to lower altitudes. If your condition fails to improve, consult a doctor.

It's always a good idea to keep an eye on the weather, especially when you are in the mountains. Storms can move in quickly and can become quite fierce, with heavy rain, lots of wind, and spectacular lightning. Hike early in the day. Try not to get caught above the tree line, on the summits of mountains, or near isolated trees or large rocks. If you are caught in a storm, crouch down on your heels and wait for the storm to pass.

Speaking of the weather, it pays to be prepared for changing conditions while enjoying a Rocky Mountain vacation. Carry a backpack with rain gear, flashlight with fresh batteries, sunglasses, sunscreen, waterproof matches or other fire starter, extra food and water, extra clothing, pocket knife, first aid kit, compass, and map. Sometimes the storms bring several inches of snow, obscuring the trail. It's easy to become lost in unfamiliar areas, so you should be prepared to wait out any storms.

It's fun to play in the snow on your Rocky Mountain vacation. Our kids have built snowmen on the Continental Divide on the 4th of July on more than one occasion. Snow can remain on the mountains all summer, and the temptation to climb the snowy slopes is often great. It's much safer to stay back from the steep slopes to avoid any danger from avalanches. While avalanches are more common during winter and early spring, a sudden summer snow storm could create the right conditions in some areas of the mountains. Learn more about avalanche safety from staff in Rocky Mountain National Park or visit the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

The lakes and streams in the Rocky Mountains sparkle like diamonds, and it's tempting to wade in or to get a drink of that cold, clear water - just like in the cowboy movies. Always take your own water from a safe source. The water is very cold and if you fall in, you could develop life-threatening hypothermia in a matter of minutes. Another reason it's best not to drink the water is the tiny critter that lives in the water. Giardia can cause diarrhea, cramps, bloating, and weight loss. It is a very unpleasant illness and can leave you feeling under the weather for several weeks.

Some other illnesses that could spoil your Rocky Mountain vacation are plague, Colorado tick fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Hantavirus. Plague and Hantavirus are transmitted by fleas that live on infected rodents such as ground squirrels. The best way to avoid plague is by not feeding the animals, no matter how cute they are. Ticks are common in the Rocky Mountains, so a good way to avoid tick borne illnesses is to check for ticks after hiking. Remove clothing and look for ticks around sock lines, waist lines, and skin folds. Remove ticks carefully, without squeezing, with tweezers. Be sure to remove all of the mouth parts. If you feel generally unwell or have symptoms such as fever, rash, or muscle pain, consult a doctor as soon as possible.

A Rocky Mountain vacation is hard to beat. Don't let a lack of safety awareness spoil your fun and excitement. Take some time to prepare before you leave home. Educate everyone in your group. Use common sense. Rely on park staff for updates about conditions in the park. You can be safe and have fun if you know what to expect.
Joe Dockter
http://rockymountainvacation.blogspot.com

BS Business Management/Marketing. Twenty years of federal service with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Father of two Eagle Scouts.