Altitude sickness

We have not had problems even at the Jungfraujoch. In my experience, altitude sickness does not kick in until I have been somewhere over 8000 feet for many hours, like overnight. Stay hydrated as that helps. Unless you have underlying medical conditions?

Read this for the symptoms, risk factors, and how it is prevented, managed or treated.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15111-altitude-sickness

Here is a previous post
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/switzerland/altitude-sickness-in-switzerland

You are unlikely to face any issues at these locations (unless you have a medical condition that predisposes you to them, such as some types of heart issues). Being a bit short of breath is not altitude sickness, by the way. It's normal.

On my first trip to Switzerland on a RS tour, one tour member felt ill (nausea, a little dizzy) on the day when we went up the Schilthorn. Her husband took her back down and she was fine right away.

My experience with elevation is going from my home (2600') to Yellowstone yearly, some of which is about 8,000'. I will say it depends. Sometimes I feel a little off my feed, sometimes not. It varies from time to time and is not consistent with my fitness level. In fact one year I took my brother and SIL with me. We entered via the Beartooth Highway which is 10,000' and my brother felt ill until we descended. He was still working as a forester so was spending every day in the forests of the Idaho mountains at around 5,000' and was in great shape. Both my SIL and I were NOT fit that summer so were surprised that he felt ill and we did not. He also felt some nausea when we went across the 9,000' pass in Yellowstone, enough so that we cancelled our hike up to a higher elevation.

I do try to be hydrated as I think dehydration makes things worse. I don't drink much anyway but I avoid alcohol the first day or so.

I would not worry about this unless you or your travel companion has some sort of physical problem that might affect it. In that instance, you'd want to talk to your healthcare provider.

I have never had any issues, hopefully you also have a great experience. Safe travels!

I have never had any problems at the Schilthorn (about 10,000 feet), even after staying several hours while enjoying a fine meal in the revolving restaurant, and exploring the site. I had mild issues while visiting the Jungfraujoch (about 11,600 feet), mostly just feeling a bit weak and easily "winded". Climbing stairs was more of an effort. However I was able to stay for several hours and have a look at the Sphinx Observatory and other displays. As it turned out, the weather was not that good at the time I was there, so that prevented any excursions outside.

I did have more severe problems at the Aguille du Midi in France (about 12,600 feet). When I first arrived there, I took the panoramic cable cars across to Pointe Helbronner in Italy. I stayed there several hours and had lunch and took some photos. I then headed back to France, intending to explore the Aguille further and try the "Step Over The Void" glass platform. However almost immediately when I got back I started to have significant shortness of breath and knew that I had to get down right away. I caught the first cable car back to Chamonix and was fine once I was at a lower altitude. Based on my symptoms, I believe I was suffering from the Pulmonary version rather than the Cerebral version of altitude sickness.

Susceptibility to altitude problems will vary between individuals. If you're concerned about that, you many want to have a chat with your physician.

An important element is hydration. The more you drink at altitude, the better you will feel.

I was never sick, but I had significant shortness of breath on our trip last October. This is something that has never happened before, but it effectively meant I could barely manage a hill the whole time we were there.

We started our almost four week trip in Varenna and I was fine, same with Tirano. The problem started after visiting Piz Nair and Diavolezza from St. Moritz and basically never went away.

As I said I was never sick, although the first day I had slight dizziness. It was just the dreadful breathlessness which made climbing hills and so on very uncomfortable and slow.

Funnily enough I had been to Switzerland before, a few years ago, but the highest we went was Mt. Titlis. I had no problems at all then, so I am guessing it is just yet another joy of getting older.

Everyone is different. No one is immune. You can go up nine time without a problem and then the tenth time......wham.

Be prepared to be a little more winded than you would be at sea level.

Also know, the only way to cure it is to go down in elevation.

Back in my touring days, I took tourists up and down mountains. Occassionally, and very rarely, someone would get hit with symptoms. As soon as we descended, they were fine.

If you suffer from any respiratory issues or high blood pressure, it may be best to speak with your doctor about this and especially when he suggests you take any medications for these conditions if you take them.