Just how thin is the air at 14,000'? (Denver, Manitou Springs: home, train)

[EscapeCalifornia]

I'm thinking of taking the cog railway up to Pike's Peak this summer. I've never been over about 8,000'. How noticeable is the lower air pressure at 14,000'? I read that the peak is 30 degrees cooler than Manitou Springs so I guess a light sweat shirt should be enough in August.

[Solidwood]

!4000 ft will take your breath away....if you had to climb it you might want to reconsider. But the cog train does all the work so you may not notice it so much. Temp is cooler but well worth the views so take a light jacket. Have fun. Such a beautiful place you're going to.

[ryanek9freak]

Eh unless you're one of the rare 3% of the population that suffers from altitude sickness, you'll be fine. Just don't try to run or anything.

And I would definaltley wear a coat. I've been caught in a blizzard on the peak in the middle of July. YOu never know what is going to happen.

[jazzlover]

If there is an afternoon rainstorm--very common on Pike's Peak in summer--the temperature can easily drop into the 40's, often with a rain and snow mix. Always fun to see the tourists in cutoffs, flip-flops and t-shirts freezing their ***es off up on the high peaks in "summer." Altitude matters. If I'm heading to the high mountains in summer, I always travel with a medium jacket. Always.

If you are not accustomed to altitude, especially if you have just come from sea level, it is quite possible to get altitude sickness at 14,000 feet with even relatively low exertion. Alcohol, smoking, and/or dehydration can aggravate the problem. Best to plan several days of acclimation at lower Colorado altitudes (5,000-7,000 ft.) before heading up high.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

I'm thinking of taking the cog railway up to Pike's Peak this summer.

Check for discount tickets before you go...here's one source, try others.

Pike's Peak Cog Railway - Coupon

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

If there is an afternoon rainstorm--very common on Pike's Peak in summer--the temperature can easily drop into the 40's, often with a rain and snow mix. Always fun to see the tourists in cutoffs, flip-flops and t-shirts freezing their ***es off up on the high peaks in "summer." Altitude matters. If I'm heading to the high mountains in summer, I always travel with a medium jacket. Always.

If you are not accustomed to altitude, especially if you have just come from sea level, it is quite possible to get altitude sickness at 14,000 feet with even relatively low exertion. Alcohol, smoking, and/or dehydration can aggravate the problem. Best to plan several days of acclimation at lower Colorado altitudes (5,000-7,000 ft.) before heading up high.

Thanks. We'll be in Denver for a week so we'll plan Pikes Peak for later in the trip. We don't smoke and we're not big drinkers so that shouldn't be a problem. I'm thinking we should be sure to get some cardio work in at home before we come so we've got a little extra capacity in that department.

[LASam]

It's so thin it makes Calista Flockhart jealous! Ba dum ching!

[McGowdog]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

Alcohol, smoking, and/or dehydration can aggravate the problem. Best to plan several days of acclimation at lower Colorado altitudes (5,000-7,000 ft.) before heading up high.

But that's the whole point in going up there I thought. You drive up there, forget your coat, get out, get dizzy, walk around, then say, "GAWD IT'S COLD UP HERE!", slam a couple Colt 45s and head back down.

[DOUBLE H]

I love it! Or maybe just one Colt 45. One quart! Now that's hardcore!

[ryanek9freak]

Hells yes!! Drinking at high altitude is cheap!