SAFETY

Getting Fit

So how does one go about getting physically prepared to hike the Barr Trail? Well it's not as difficult as you may think. The Barr Trail averages only an 11% grade. While this would be steep for a city sidewalk, as far as mountain trails go it's not too challenging. The trail is also well maintained so the only skill involved is walking.

However, though the trail may be relatively easy to walk it is very long and gains a lot of elevation. No other mountain in Colorado can you gain so much elevation from such a relatively close trail-head. Endurance and acclimatization are the key to climbing Pikes Peak. See the altitude page for helpful hints on getting acclimated, on this page we'll focus on physical training.

Build Your Endurance

For your endurance you simply need to push yourself physically for long periods of time. 20 to 30 minute workouts do not develop your slow twitch muscles. Slow twitch are the muscles that you will need for the hike. Try to engage in some physical activity (elliptical, jogging, biking, or at least walking) for 40 minutes or more without breaks. This will build up your endurance. During endurance training it helps to learn to push on and continue even when it hurts and you don't feel like continuing. The best way to finish the Barr Trail is not to hike quickly, but to be able to hike at a steady pace that you are able to maintain for long periods without breaks.

Prepare for Hills

Almost the entire trip to the summit is uphill. If you don't have access to hills then adapt your workout to help. If you use an elliptical machine or treadmill try to find one that you can raise the slope, if you walk try jogging instead. Training on a slope will prepare the right muscles for your trip up the Barr Trail. I find that jogging 4 to 6 miles over hilly terrain a few times a week will prepare you well for the trail. You don't have to start there, but work your way up to it.

Lose Weight

Lots of people talk about carrying less weight in their packs, buying lighter shoes, and going ultralight. The first, and cheapest, way to lighten the load for your trip is to shed some body fat. Some of you don't have much to loose, but most of us do. Obviously this has other benefits as well. Take 10 pounds off and that's 10 pounds you won't have to haul up 7,500 feet.

Get Rest

3 to 6 days before you attempt the Barr Trail, stop working out. Let your body store up reserves and heal your muscles. Eat healthy foods and drink lots of fluids. The day before the hike eat plenty of calories but don't gorge. Just before hitting the trail eat a good meal.

The better shape you are in the better your hike will go. However, the key to finishing though is pushing on even when you feel like you don't have anything left to give.

Altitude

The information contained on this page is merely a summary of my knowledge. I am not a medical doctor. Consult your physician to receive reliable information before traveling to high elevations. High Altitude begins to affect the average person at 8,000 feet of elevation. The summit of Pikes Peak is 14,115 feet, well beyond this limit. Most people who travel from a low altitude to a high altitude will experience at least some symptoms related to altitude sickness.

What is commonly refered to as Altitude sickness is broken down into three categories.

  • Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)- Mild to moderate symptoms, posing no long term health risk.
  • High Altitude Pulmonary Edemia (HAPE)- Fluid collecting in the lungs due to inadequate acclimation. Potentially deadly.
  • High Altitude Cerebral Edemia (HACE)- Fluid collecting in the brain due to inadequate acclimation. Very deadly.

      • HAPE and HACE are extremely rare below 12,000 feet elevation. However instances are on the rise in Colorado due the the ability to travel so quickly from sea level to a high elevation. A person can now easily find themselves waking up near sea level, flying to Colorado, and then driving over a 11,000+ foot pass. This gives the body very little time to adjust.

      What is AMS?

      In simple terms AMS is the result of your body not getting enough oxygen for an extended period of time due to the thinner air found at high altitudes. Symptoms usually take between a half hour and two hours to set in. Physical activity increases the speed and severity of the appearance of symptoms.

      • Mild symptoms include:
      • Headache
      • Nausea
      • Fatigue
      • Reduced congnitive abilities
      • Moderate symptoms can be:
      • Vomiting
      • Mild Disorientation
      • Clumsiness
      • Mild Memory loss
      • Severe symptoms can be (generally only associated with HAPE and HACE):
      • Wet crackling sounds in lungs when breathing
      • Shortness of Breath even after resting
      • Significant Disorientation
      • Loss of muscle control, trouble speaking
      • Significant Memory loss/ loss of consciousness
      • These lists are not exhaustive of all symptoms but are the most common and easily recognized.
      • How can I prevent AMS?

      There is one medication that can help. Diamox helps the body begin producing more red blood cells (the bodies main method of dealing with high altitude) even before you go to a high altitude. This medication must be started a week before going to high altitude to achieve its full effectiveness.

      The most effective method is to allow your body to acclimate over several days. Climb high, sleep low is the mantra for this. Take a hike up to 10,000 feet, then sleep at 6,000-8,000 feet that night. Take a hike up to 11,000 feet the next day and return lower to sleep again. A few days of this and you will have significantly fewer issues when hiking up the Barr Trail.

      Once on the trail there are a few things you can do to help prevent symptoms from setting in. The first and most important step towards preventing the effects of AMS is to drink plenty of water. Carry 3 to 4 liters of water for the Barr Trail. You will need to urinate more often, and this is the goal since it will give your body more opportunity to expel the excess lactic acid in your system.

      Slowing your pace will also help prevent AMS. Since there is less oxygen, you must reduce your exertion accordingly. Find a pace that works for you and the faster hikers should slow their pace to accoodate you. What do I do if I experience AMS?

      If you do begin to suffer from AMS, treat symptoms appropriately. Treat a headache with asprin. Asprin will open blood vessels and encourage more blood flow which may help the cause as well as the symptom. For nausea take a couple of Tums. Be sure to rest when you're tired, overexerting yourself will just make the problem worse.

      Keep an eye on other people you are with. As AMS sets in cognitive abilities drop, that means that they may not have the presence of mind to notice they are getting AMS. A study was done where a group of people who were not acclimated to high altitude were given a set of tests similar to SATs at sea level and then at 14,000 feet. Their scores at 14,000 feet were 30% lower than at sea level and the time to complete the tests increased 25%.

      If any of the severe symptoms appear in anyone, that person must descend immediately with another person. Never leave a person suffering from Altitude Illness by themselves. Descent to a lower elevation will usually begin to alleviate symptoms immediately.

General Safety

The Barr Trail is a Class 1 trail. It is essentially a hike, but a long one with lots of elevation to gain. An ascent of Pikes Peak is not to be taken lightly. Hiking the first section of the trail, in the heat of the day, is the hardest part of the entire climb. We strongly advise picking a cool time of the day for those hot, exposed slopes. Walking in the dark using headlamps is not a bad choice.

Bring lots of water and a water filter or purifyer. There are creeks and runoffs, but you need a means of making the water safe to drink.

Pikes Peak is a mountain and has mountainous weather. Storms are likely each afternoon of the summer, but can happen at anytime. The weather will probably be hot at the trailhead and cool on the summit. In between you have to adjust layers to stay comfortable and dry. Keep track of the time and your speed as you walk. Know when you are going to arrive at the summit.

If the weather looks threatening, it is time to turn around. The services at the top of the Peak are not open all year nor are they open all night. If you are hiking the Peak you need to be self-sufficient and prepared for the extremes. Read the Warning Sign carefully at the trailhead.

Hiking the Barr Trail from car to car or breaking the trail up with a night or two at Barr Camp are unique experiences. To climb Pikes Peak safely, you must carry the essentials, but you must also somehow limit the weight of your pack to a manageable load. Train before you begin your attempt. There are easier mountains out there to climb. Even Pikes Peak from the Crags Campground is much easier than the Barr Trail (car to car).

There are options to shorten the hike by using the Cog Railway. It is possible to ride to Mountain View and start your hike from there (1.5 miles to Barr Camp), or hike the Peak and ride the Cog down, or ride the Cog up and hike down. Some folks we met at Barr Camp were planning on carrying all their overnight gear (even with tents) to the summit. The hike is tough enough without carrying extra weight. Plan wisely.

Save enough food and water for the trip down the mountain. Some folks think it is harder than the climb. You can also arrange for someone to pick you up at the top of the mountain but cell service is not very good so make a good time frame for pick up and plan on them waiting for you at the top.

Please practice minimum impact traveling - climbing - hiking.