Elevation Facts and Santa Fe Altitude Sickness Guide
Found in the beautiful foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe, New Mexico, is in the Northern Rio Grande Valley on the southern end of the Rocky Mountains. The city of Santa Fe, the county seat of Santa Fe County, sits at a whopping 7,198 feet above sea level and is the highest capital city and third highest city in America, even higher than Denver. It is also the oldest state capital in the United States.
The elevation statistics don’t stop there. If you plan on skiing in the Santa Fe area, you will be at the base elevation of 10,350 feet. If you want to go even higher, hop on a ski lift and head to a peak elevation of 12,075 feet. For those keeping track, that is over one full mile above sea level in downtown Santa Fe and two miles above sea level at peak elevation. To put it plainly, Santa Fe is pretty high compared to most of the cities in America. (Take that, Denver!)
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Santa Fe Overview
Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, is a city like no other. Santa Fe, which translates to “Holy Faith,” was officially founded by Spanish settlers in the 1600s and was part of New Spain. With its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural scenery, and unique blend of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican influences, Santa Fe is a destination that has something for everyone.
Santa Fe is a city steeped in history, art, and natural beauty, from the historic downtown area to the surrounding mountains and forests. Whether you’re interested in exploring the city’s many museums and galleries, hiking portions of the nearby Santa Fe Trail, or simply soaking up the city’s laid-back atmosphere, Santa Fe will leave a lasting impression.
Altitude and Santa Fe Climate
The city’s high elevation can take some getting used to, especially for visitors not accustomed to high altitudes. However, with its mild climate, breathtaking mountains, and stunning natural scenery, Santa Fe is a city that is well worth visiting, even if you’re not used to the high altitude.
Santa Fe is classified as a cold semi-arid mountain desert, also known as a steppe climate. The dry environment paves the way for a beautifully painted landscape of hearty shrubs like chamisa, yucca, and cholla cactus.
This climate also gives Santa Fe those glorious dry, warm summer days (barring monsoon season), delightfully cool summer nights, and cold, snowy winters. For every 1,000 feet you climb in elevation, the temperature drops by four degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures in Santa Fe can fluctuate by 36 degrees Fahrenheit or more in a single day.
What does this all mean for humans who inhabit or are visiting The City Different? For starters, dressing in layers helps with the fluctuating temperatures. Being at an elevation of 7,198 feet puts us closer to the sun, which means sunscreen is always a good idea.
Another thing to consider is the air pressure. As we move to higher elevations, the atmospheric pressure decreases, giving all the molecules in the air more space to expand. This thins the oxygen levels in the air around us and sometimes makes it hard to catch your breath if you aren’t acclimated. If you’re not accustomed to this higher elevation, ordinary activities like hiking or skiing might be more challenging.
Unfortunately, all these factors can add up, and you can quickly find yourself suffering from altitude sickness, also known as “Mountain Sickness.” Many visitors may experience mild Santa Fe altitude sickness symptoms soon after arriving.
While it’s essential to educate yourself about altitude sickness before you plan a trip to Santa Fe, it’s also important to learn about financial literacy. Visit the Del Norte Credit Union website to see how to become more financially literate.
Three Levels of Santa Fe Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness in Santa Fe is a common concern for visitors, but several strategies exist to prevent and combat the symptoms and ensure a more enjoyable experience. The good news is that the more severe cases of altitude sickness are not very common, and there are some common-sense solutions to the milder versions.
Acute Mountain Sickness
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the mildest form of altitude sickness. AMS typically feels like your standard hangover. You can develop a headache, muscle aches, dizziness, and nausea. Symptoms usually occur within 24 – 48 hours and fade within 1 – 2 days.
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is the next level of altitude sickness and is more severe than AMS. Fluid can build up in the lungs and cause extreme shortness of breath that worsens with activity and does not abate while at rest.
AMS can be accompanied by wheezing and coughing, producing a frothy sputum (a mixture of spit and mucus) that may be tinged with blood. Some experience heart palpitations, a feeling of anxiety, and extreme fatigue. Symptoms usually occur within 12 – 24 hours and typically fade after 1 – 2 days.
High Altitude Cerebral Edema
High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) is the most severe form of altitude sickness and can cause a fluid buildup in the brain that can be life-threatening. Symptoms can include a severe headache that is resistant to painkillers, extreme dizziness with loss of coordination, nausea, fatigue, loss of energy, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, fever, mental weariness, lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements that can include gait abnormality, speech changes, abnormalities in eye movements, altered mental states, and loss of consciousness.
Symptoms can come on very suddenly and don’t fade with time. Seek medical help immediately if you experience HACE symptoms.
Preparing for a Visit to the Santa Fe Area
If you’re planning a visit to the area, there are a few things you can do to avoid Santa Fe altitude sickness. First, drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your trip to help your body acclimate to the high altitude. Staying hydrated can help you avoid headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Sipping on water enables you to keep hydrated and replenishes your body’s oxygen.
It’s also important to consider your alcohol consumption, as the high altitude can exacerbate the effects of alcohol. Limit your alcohol intake for the first 24 – 48 hours of your arrival. Alcohol in the blood can limit your hemoglobins’ ability to absorb oxygen and ultimately impair your vital organs’ abilities to function normally, your brain included. If you do drink alcohol, keep in mind that every drink you have at altitude is equivalent to three drinks at sea level.
Herbal tea is an excellent alternative to alcohol and can help to soothe any altitude-related symptoms. Plus, it counts toward your goal of water consumption.
You should also avoid strenuous activities for the first few days of your trip and take breaks to rest and acclimate to the altitude. Getting enough sleep can help, too. The higher elevation can make you more tired than usual, so give your body the rest it needs to acclimate.
Additionally, consider packing clothing that is comfortable and suitable for high altitudes, such as layers and a hat. Reach Santa Fe prepared by packing essentials like water and sunscreen for a comfortable visit.
Finally, check the weather forecast before your trip and plan accordingly, as the weather in Santa Fe can be unpredictable. Taking these simple steps can help avoid altitude sickness.
Seek Help
No amount of internet tips can add up to the advice from a qualified medical professional. So, if you are genuinely not feeling yourself, seek medical help immediately. As long as you take precautions, are mindful of your body, and know the warning signs, there shouldn’t be much to worry about except what awesome thing you will do next while enjoying your time in beautiful Santa Fe.
And if the Santa Fe elevation is still too much, there are plenty of things to do in Albuquerque. New Mexico’s largest city is only about 50 minutes away and ranges from about 4,900 feet above sea level near the Rio Grande to around 6,700 feet in the Sandia foothills.
Santa Fe is known as “The City Different,” and high altitudes are one way it might be different than at home. Another is that people do business here in a more friendly way. Del Norte Credit Union can elevate your banking experience when looking for financial services in Santa Fe.
