Moab Utah, is a haven for adventure enthusiasts, but can pose an altitude challenge for some. As a high-altitude based company, we will explore Moab altitude, Moab altitude sickness, along with five essential tips to help you avoid altitude sickness during your Moab adventure.
Moab altitude sits at 4,025 feet above sea level. Hiking can take you to areas of 6,200 feet high, and the nearby La Sal Mountains hit an altitude of 12,721 feet high.
Moab Altitude:
Arches National Park is one of the most popular destinations within Moab which also reaches high heights.
Arches National Park Altitude:
This range of high elevations can be concerning for new visitors of Moab.
Yes, you can get altitude sickness in Moab Utah.
Although more commonly altitude sickness develops at 6-8,000 feet high, Travel Medicine Consultants points out that it can start as low as 4-5,000 feet.⁴
At 4,025 feet, you have a mild risk of altitude sickness in Moab. Keep in mind, the altitudes for camping and hiking get up to 6,200 feet which drastically increases your risks.
Altitude sickness is very common in Utah.
From Salt Lake City and it's many ski mountains (Park City, Deer Valley, Alta, Snowbird), to national parks such as Bryce Canyon and Zion — altitude sickness is a challenge for many visitors of Utah.
Even the lower elevations of Utah like Moab and Salt Lake City at around 4,000 feet have the risk of altitude sickness, and it increasingly gets worse as the mountains rise to heights of 10-12,000 feet high.
Moab altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), is a condition that affects people ascending to higher altitudes rapidly.
It is primarily caused by the body's struggle to adjust to the reduced oxygen levels at the elevated heights in Utah. This can manifest through various symptoms, including headaches, nausea, and fatigue.
Symptoms of Moab altitude sickness may include:
These symptoms will typically start within 6-24 hours upon arrival to Moab. Visitors should take proper precautions to avoid altitude sickness when possible, read our essential tips below.
Yes, Moab is considered high altitude
Cornell defines high altitude at 4,000 feet above sea level. Moab's lowest points of 4,025 feet meet the high altitude definition and far exceed it up to 6,200 feet.
Moab, is a stunning adventure destination with its breathtaking red rock landscapes, an outdoor enthusiast's dream. However, altitude sickness is a common concern.
As a Colorado-based company next to Utah with years of high elevation experience, we'll share the most essential tips we know to help you avoid the negative effects of Moab's high altitudes.
5 Tips To Avoid Altitude Sickness In Moab:
By following these five essential tips, you can reduce your risks during your Moab adventure — which includes slowly acclimating, increasing hydration, maximizing sleep, avoiding alcohol, and taking antioxidants.
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SOURCES:
1. Moab, Utah Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moab,_Utah
2. Moab Desert Tips And Moab Altitude
https://guestguidepublications.com/moab-utah/moab-desert-tips/
3. Hiking the National Parks of Eastern Utah - Moab Elevation
https://ourcc.coloradocollege.edu/s/1251/forms.aspx?sid=1251&gid=1&pgid=1924&cid=3600&ecid=3600&crid=0&calpgid=13&calcid=664#:~:text=Moab%20is%20approximately%204025'%20above,approximate%20elevation%20of%20Colorado%20Springs.
4. High Altitude Illness
https://www.travelsurenyc.com/high-altitude-illness/
5. Cornell High Altitude Definition
https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=2cf9863f85f2f25b6e5e0a2e9dacfe7b&term_occur=5&term_src=Title:40:Chapter:I:Subchapter:C:Part:86:Subpart:S:86.1810-09
6. Arches National Park Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arches_National_Park
7. Why Do You Need to Drink a Lot of Water at a High Altitude?
https://www.livestrong.com/article/360485-how-to-train-for-high-altitude-hiking
8. Sleep: The Secret Ingredient of Injury Recovery
https://www.orthocarolina.com/media/sleep-the-secret-ingredient-of-injury-recovery
9. Effects of Alcohol
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.HYP.29.6.1278#
10. High altitude and oxidative stress
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17482529/
11. Oxidative Stress and Diseases Associated with High-Altitude Exposure
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8868315/
12. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/
13. Utah Trip and Altitude Forum + Moab Altitude
https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/utah-trip-and-altitude-599194/
