“Oh, you’re traveling to Colorado? Make sure you drink a TON of water because of the altitude.”
The first time I heard this phrase was during a trip I took to Colorado as a teenager. Since then, I’ve heard and also uttered this Coloradan catch phrase countless times.
The reasoning behind this warning is the knowledge that at higher elevations your body loses water twice as fast as at sea level just through respiration alone. Add to that the dry climate which causes sweat to evaporate more quickly and a person can rapidly become dehydrated and ill.
So, it’s more than just a catch phrase, it really is important to maintain hydration at high altitudes.
Having noticed that I tend to experience dehydration symptoms after a long day of backpacking and fly fishing, I decided to add Acli-Mate to my water supply while exploring the outdoors this year.
Acli-Mate is added to the water you’re already drinking, and works rapidly to help your body adjust to your surroundings. It provides your body with the electrolytes, B-vitamins and minerals you need to fully maintain hydration while being exposed to the elements.
On every trip I’ve taken this year, I added a package of Acli-Mate. I had such impressive results that I used Acli-Mate in the morning and at lunch during a five-day backpacking trip into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness in Colorado. On the first morning, when I pulled out my morning Acli-Mate package, I happened to look over only to find my fellow backpacker, Shawn, was adding Acli-Mate to his water as well! It seems we both realized that it is beneficial to take the actions to help our bodies when backpacking in the Rockies.
On the majority of my hikes, whether it be a day trip or a weeklong camping trip, I tend to get a slight headache and usually take over-the-counter medicine to alleviate it. Drinking water with Acli-Mate this year has taken that necessity away and I have had no issues at all with acclimating to the 5,000+ feet of elevation differences when I am out in the Rocky Mountains.
