Altitude Sickness Risk Calculator
Assess your risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) based on altitude gain, ascent rate, and prior AMS history.
Results
What is it?
The Altitude Sickness Risk Calculator estimates your risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) based on the altitude gain, your daily ascent rate, and personal history with AMS. AMS typically starts above 2,500m and can progress to life-threatening HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) or HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema).
How to use
Enter your target altitude, current elevation, planned daily ascent rate above 3,000m, and any prior AMS history. The calculator outputs a risk level (1=Low, 2=Moderate, 3=High) and recommended acclimatization days.
Example scenario
Climbing from 0m to 5,000m (5.0 altitude factor) at 600 m/day (2.0 rate factor) with mild prior AMS (2 history factor): riskFactor = 5 + 2 + 2 = 9. Risk Level = 3 (High). Acclimatization: ceil(5000/500) = 10 days.
Pro tip
The Lake Louise AMS Criteria: headache plus one of — fatigue, GI symptoms, dizziness, or poor sleep. The golden rule: if you feel ill at altitude, do not ascend further. Descend immediately if symptoms worsen. Acetazolamide (Diamox, 125-250mg twice daily) as prophylaxis is effective but requires a prescription. HAPE warning signs — severe breathlessness at rest, cough, pink frothy sputum — require emergency descent.