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Common sense, adequate equipment, staying with the group, and following the leader will normally keep you safe on CMC trips. You are ultimately responsible for your own safety, whether on CMC or other trips. This handbook section discusses a few hazards but cannot cover all potential dangers. Please consider taking one or more of CMC's courses on subjects such as mountain weather, avalanche awareness, survival skills, and first aid. See Denver Group's Education Program.
Altitude Sickness
One of the most common hazards on CMC trips is altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Characterized by headaches and nausea, AMS can arise at relatively low elevations such as 9,000 feet, especially in persons who are coming from sea level and are not yet used to high altitudes. It can also strike persons who have previously been unaffected by high altitudes. AMS is not a function of conditioning; it can affect superbly-conditioned athletes as well as "weekend warriors."
You can prevent or lessen AMS by staying well hydrated - drinking lots of water - and avoiding overexertion. Be careful to take regular snack, water and rest breaks while hiking.
If you or one of your party begin experiencing AMS symptoms, the best cure is to descend to a lower elevation. Aspirin and water can help relieve headaches. AMS is not normally a life-threatening situation, but it can cause you to lose strength and coordination. In addition, there are more serious, even life-threatening high-altitude-related illnesses called High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). Persons planning high-altitude trips should become familiar with the warning signs for these conditions.
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Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a lowering of the body's core temperature due to overexposure to cold air or water. Clothing which has become wet from rain, snow or sweat is a common cause. Hypothermia is not just a cold-weather phenomenon; in fact, many hypothermia cases occur during the spring, summer and fall in unprepared victims surprised by mountain thunderstorms.
An initial sign of hypothermia is shivering: a natural method of body heating. Hypothermia also produces garbled speech, slowed thought processes, confusion, and erratic body movements. The victim is often the last to realize the need for treatment. For that reason, in cold conditions consider checking on others in your party by asking them simple questions; people unable to answer correctly may be in trouble without realizing it.
To prevent hypothermia, use the layered clothing system described in Suggested Equipment , and keep dry. Replace damp clothing, especially cotton items. Wear your gloves and hat. Loosen boot laces to increase foot circulation. Place your hands in your armpits or crotch to warm them. Nibble high-energy food and drink water. Use solid-fuel hand warmers if available; they provide heat for up to 4 hours.
If you are developing hypothermia, you need to get warm. Seek shelter from cold, wind, snow and rain in timbered areas, or wind-protected sides of ridges and rock outcroppings. Use your space blanket, leaf bag and other emergency equipment.
In an emergency, start a fire for warmth. Use dry, dead branches. Build your fire in a sheltered area, protected from strong winds. One good method in snowy or cold conditions is to build a fire base out of large logs; put firestarter on the base; surround the firestarter with small branches and kindling; then place a patchwork of small branches and kindling on top. Practice building a fire before you need to do so in emergency conditions.
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Lightning
Hikers and climbers on high, exposed terrain such as summits and ridges need to watch out for lightning. Lightning can occur anytime of year - even in snowstorms - but is most prevalent in the afternoons during Colorado's "monsoon" season, which typically runs from mid-July to early September. It is always wise to time your ascent so that you are off a summit by noon.
Hair standing on end, and buzzing metal objects and rocks, are signs that a lightning strike may be imminent. However, lightning can strike without warning. Be aware of the cloud conditions around you. If lightning approaches, retreat from summits and ridges. Try to get below treeline, but avoid standing below or near isolated trees or boulders.
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Injuries from Rocks
Hikers and climbers can be injured by falling on rocks, and by loose rock falling on them. Sprained ankles and twisted knees from slipping on rocks are a common type of injury. Before you go on a trip involving significant off-trail travel on rocks, gain some experience with such terrain on shorter CMC trips and in CMC schools.
Some CMC trips require helmets to protect against falls on rocks as well as against rocks falling from above. Some hiking and climbing routes are often exposed to rocks being dislodged from above by other climbers.
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