Going to Moab...what should I know?

[Crankin]

Everyone is different. I start feeling altitude at about 4,000 feet. It took me 2 days to get acclimated to Boulder (5,000 feet), but during our trip we also went up 8,000 a few times and to Rocky Mountain National Park, at 11,000 feet. I was tingly, sweaty, and kind of pale in the national park; I had to insist we leave, and we weren't even hiking!
I did do a short ride in Boulder, after we had been there for a few days. It was OK. But, generally, I don't plan any vacations at altitude, because I just feel awful.
Drink lots of water and no alcohol.

[Cataboo]

Give yourself a couple days to acclimatize before having doing much in the way of exertion.

I don't think you'll feel much at 4,000 feet - but everyone's different.

Some people use diamox for high altitude - but I think 4,000 feet isn't so high that you need to take a drug to deal with it. If cocoa tea was available in the US, I'd say drink that - it's really effective in Peru.

[CyclicChick]

Give yourself a couple days to acclimatize before having doing much in the way of exertion.

I don't think you'll feel much at 4,000 feet - but everyone's different.

Some people use diamox for high altitude - but I think 4,000 feet isn't so high that you need to take a drug to deal with it. If cocoa tea was available in the US, I'd say drink that - it's really effective in Peru.

What a great idea! I'm going to check out the local Ethnic Latin stores around here in NJ. We have a bunch from where I get my Peruvian's Quinoa. I'll let you know if I get lucky.

[lawnchick22]

Maybe not exactly the same, but for what it's worth........

Last August, while in Maui, went from sea level to ~8000ft (cycling) and didn't feel anything...however, the day before when we drove up to the top of Haleakala ~10k, walking up steps got me pretty dizzy and winded and I'm sure it was from the altitude change.
I had read of other cyclists having headaches and such while climbing Haleakala, but we didn't experience any issue...I think it was the slow pace we were traveling.

[emily_in_nc]

Last August, while in Maui, went from sea level to ~8000ft (cycling) and didn't feel anything...however, the day before when we drove up to the top of Haleakala ~10k, walking up steps got me pretty dizzy and winded and I'm sure it was from the altitude change.
I had read of other cyclists having headaches and such while climbing Haleakala, but we didn't experience any issue...I think it was the slow pace we were traveling.

We drove to the top of Haleakala about 20 years ago and didn't have any problems with feeling bad at the top watching the sunrise (no exertion), but a guy that we were with started feeling really bad at the top. Everyone is different.

From what I read before our trip to the SW, a lot of folks have problems at 7000 ft and above, but it's much less common to have problems below that. We (my DH and I) are obviously some of the lucky ones.