LARPing at Altitude: How to cope with being over a mile in the sky

Photo by Keith Reilly - Daemon USA 2025

Ok I fully realize that this is a niche blog, but Mooney Bin lives in Denver and we intend to keep running games here. Even Conscience, in Montana, is at almost 5,000ft. With the number of altitude related issues we have seen over the last year, I wanted to get a document in the hands of our players to get y’all informed about what to look out for and how to take care of yourselves.

Altitude Sickness

Repeat after me: ALTITUDE. SICKNESS. IS A THING. Do NOT think that this doesn’t apply to you. That is when you get taken out and miss half of game. Now, there are also risk factors. If you have asthma, or ANY sort of lung related issues, you have a much higher likelihood of being impacted. This means you need to be EVEN MORE diligent. 

What does Altitude Sickness feel like AJ? Good question. 

It can present differently for different people, so here is a list of symptoms:

• Headache

• Nausea

• Loss of appetite.

• Fatigue, even when resting.

• Malaise (a noticeable “unwell” feeling).

• Trouble sleeping.

• Dizziness or lightheadedness.

For me, I have trouble sleeping and lose my appetite, on top of just feeling generally dried out. Players in our games have experienced all of the above though. Be on the lookout for symptoms so you can act fast because prevention is so much better than pushing yourself too hard. Once you know how it hits you, you can tailor your preparation accordingly, but that first time is the real doozy.

Preparation

In the spirit of prevention, there are a few things you can do in prep:

1. Acclimatize: Get up the mountain a few days early. Yeah…. I know this is difficult and 90% of you are not going to do this one. However, it really does make a difference if you are able to, and if you know you are prone to altitude sickness I really really recommend it.

2. Hydrate: Pumping up your tissues with water in the several days leading up to the LARP will help you deal with the extreme dryness, and just overall feel better. It will also get you used to drinking a lot of fluids which you will need when you get here. If you don't like gatorade, or are avoiding sugar, I highly recommend some bullion cubes or other broth making supplies. It’ll get you salt AND water.

3. Light Cardio: In the 2-3 weeks before the LARP, step up your cardio one level. That means, if you are completely sedentary - walk a little. If you are a runner, get a couple more days in. It doesn't have to be a lot, doing SOMETHING is far more effective than pushing yourself too hard and not doing it at all. But if you can at least get a little out of breath for 3-4 days a week, a few weeks before game, it will start your body on the path of building itself up and make it easier to deal with no air.

4. Pack your meds: Even if you think you don’t need them. ESPECIALLY if you have an inhaler. 

5. Creature Comforts: You will want lotion, gatorade or another drink mix with electrolytes, chapstick, sunscreen, and sunglasses (even if you don't usually need them). I also pack vaseline for the inside of my nostrils. Yes, it's gross, but it stops you from getting dried out and prevents bloody noses. Additionally remember that in Denver you can experience 5 seasons in a day (no that is not a typo), so think about tailoring your costuming appropriately and making sure you have layers.

Finally, altitude sickness can affect your appetite, so make sure to bring a few of your favorite snacks - something that can entice you to eat even if you feel sick.

In the Moment

Unlike hikers you aren’t really here to acclimate. You are here to survive a highly emotional weekend in a state that does not affect your gameplay. So, because probably 30-50% of yall will ignore my well thought out preparation tips, I'm also going to give you some tips and tricks for when you start keeling over mid game. 

1. Catch it Early: Be familiar with the symptoms and take action as soon as you notice them. This will prevent you from being taken out of game later when they get worse..

Once you catch it early because you have been following my instructions, do the following:

1. SIT DOWN

2. Have a friend get you 2 tylenol, a glass of water, liquid IV or Gatorade, and 2 breaths out of an oxygen canister, and a snack.

3. Remain sitting for half an hour (this includes the time it takes you to drink both glasses of fluid and eat your snack - because I KNOW as soon as you stand up you are going to forget to take care of yourself, walk off without your snack, and pass out from lack of oxygen in an hour or so.)

Finally - and I know this is so very hard for LARPers - TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Your usual “I can live on nothing but energy drinks” BS will not fly here. You WILL feel like crap, and you WILL keel over and have to miss half the game. If you can push yourself at sea level, you just simply have to be extra diligent here. The mountains brook no nonsense, and delight in taking advantage of your weaknesses. Rest, eat, go to bed early, and encourage others to do the same.

A final asterisk, because after parties are also a thing: Alcohol hits like a truck. Be really careful if you choose to drink or use any substances. Just start slow and feel it out, because I will call Sean to force water down your throat and put you to bed early, and then you will miss all the fun decompression with your friends. Just remember, one drink = three drinks.

---

About the Author

Photo by Matt Norris, Helicon USA 2025

Aj Mooney (she/her) is the classic theater-kid turned LARPer and corporate sellout on the side. She has been playing one game or another since 2016 when she studied abroad in Serbia and happened to be placed in a LARPing household. With twin older brothers running the local boffer troupe, Aj dived in head first and has yet to come up for air. Between 2016 and 2024 she played numerous campaign style boffer and parlor LARPs including Dystopia Rising, Vampire the Masquerade, and Arcanorum, and a few short run games including Hollow Dawn and Legend of the Five Rings. Recently she has been dragged kicking and screaming into the world of freeform/consent based LARPing by dear friends who knew what was good for her. After taking 3 games to figure out what the heck she was doing with her life, she now enjoys it very much.

Recently she has helped write and run Dresden Files 1923 as part of Mooney Bin Entertainment, and co-produced Daemon (by Katrine Wind) and Conscience (by Not Only LARP) with her husband Sean. They affectionately like to joke that Sean drives the project truck at 80 MPH down the highway, while she perches on the back making sure everything is packed and strapped down. Together, they get where they need to go in one piece.

Now that she is an official LARP runner, she’s decided to have thoughts and opinions about things, and Ericka Skirpan inspired her to put thoughts to paper with her blog space. Thanks Ericka!