High elevations
In a month or so, we will be heading from Alabama to Colorado Springs. The elevation will go from 597 ft to about 6,000. Just wondering if we should expect to "feel" the thinner air, or will we adjust to it as we drive in? Thanks!
Forum Discussion
- Keep in mind that your Class C will lose 3% of its power for every 1,000' of elevation. On the other hand the thinner air offers less resistance. I don't see much difference with my 5.4L until we get up over 8,000' to 9,000' at which point we've lost a quarter of the available power. Turbos have no such problem. :C
- If you're not venturing any higher into the mountains you might not notice a thing. OTOH it doesn't affect everyone the same way or even affect the same person the same way every time. Here is a good article about altitude sickness and the things you can do to help yourself.
- Yes if you do much walking or hiking, and as the doc always says "as we get older ..."
We spend the winter in Tucson at about 2,400 feet and do a lot of hiking. Even so I could feel the difference in Denver in the spring if I tried to do anything strenuous - like carrying my 18 month old great nephew three blocks! - Downtown Flagstaff AZ is almost 7K and the beer taste just good there at 50 feet here on the East coast... I did go to Pikes Peak one time and I about died haha... Walked from the parking lot to the restaurant and was totally wiped out.. The rental car would hardly work as well...
- I live at sea level and travel/hike in the Cascades. The highest I've ever been is about seven thousand feet. Doesn't seem to bother me...
- I wouldn't notice much at 6k, but I sure do at 11k.
