Altitude sickness and acclimatisation

In short: Acute mountain sickness can occur from about 2,500 metres if you ascend too fast. Typical are headache, nausea, dizziness and sleep problems. Slow ascent and rest help.

In more detail: With altitude air pressure falls, and with it the oxygen content of the air (luftdruck-und-wetter). The body needs days to adapt.

In detail

• Acclimatise: From 3,000 metres raise sleeping altitude by at most about 300 to 500 metres a day, a rest day every 1,000 metres.
• Climb high, sleep low: Hike higher in the day and go lower again to sleep.
• Drinking: Enough, avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
• Warning signs: Severe headache that does not go away, balance problems, confusion, cough with breathlessness: descend at once.
• Serious forms: High-altitude cerebral oedema and pulmonary oedema are life-threatening.
• Medication: Only after medical advice (erste-hilfe-grundlagen).