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ALTITUDE SICKNESS

Nothing ruins an outing more often than the body’s resistance to altitude adjustment. The illness is usually characterized by vomiting, loss of breath, extreme headache, lightheadedness, sleeplessness, and an overall sick feeling. When traveling to a higher altitude, give your body a day or two to adjust to where there is less oxygen, hotter sun, and less air pressure. Drink plenty of water, and lay off the alcohol. Wear sunglasses and sunscreen. It’s that easy. (As always, if serious symptoms persist, locate the nearest emergency room or call 911.)

LIGHTNING

Get an early start on all hikes that go above tree line. Violent storms are common in June, July, and August. Try to reach high-altitude summits by 1 p.m. and turn back when the weather turns bad. If you are caught in a lightning storm above tree line, stay off ridgetops, spread out if you are in a group, and squat or sit on a foam pad with your feet together. Keep away from rock outcroppings and isolated trees. If someone has been struck, be prepared to use CPR to help restore the victim’s breathing and heartbeat.