Altitude 101 for CU Freshmen: How to Adjust Without Feeling Wrecked
Welcome to Boulder, new Buffs. You have made it through move-in, the Flatirons are filling the horizon, and a new semester is about to begin. But before you race to the Recreation Center or head straight for your first mountain hike, give your body a chance to catch up with your new surroundings.
CU Boulder sits at approximately 5,300 feet above sea level, while the City of Boulder is commonly listed at 5,430 feet. Many nearby trails rise above 7,000 feet. If you arrived from a much lower elevation, the reduced oxygen pressure, dry climate and strong Colorado sun may leave you feeling different during your first few days.
According to CU Boulder’s current health guidance, newcomers may tire more quickly, develop a mild headache or notice that an ordinary walk across campus suddenly feels like exercise. Most students adjust within a few days, but the smartest first-week strategy is to slow down and let acclimatization happen.
What Boulder’s Altitude Can Feel Like
Common early symptoms can include:
- Mild headache
- Fatigue or low energy
- Shortness of breath with activity
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea or an upset stomach
- Reduced appetite
- Restless sleep
Symptoms related to altitude typically begin within hours of reaching a higher elevation and often appear during or after the first night. The CDC’s altitude-illness guidance notes that headache is the hallmark symptom of acute mountain sickness and may be accompanied by fatigue, dizziness, nausea or appetite loss…