Day 2: Acclimation Day
Easy exploration, gentle fishing, and letting your body adjust.
Table of Contents
- The Day at a Glance
- Why Acclimation Matters
- Morning
- Midday
- Afternoon
- Evening
- Altitude Checkpoint
- For Kids: Day 2
- For Grandparents: Day 2
- Tonight’s Checklist
- Tomorrow Preview
The Day at a Glance
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:30–7:30 | Natural wake-up, coffee |
| 7:30–8:30 | Leisurely breakfast |
| 9:00–11:30 | Morning fishing or shoreline walk |
| 12:00–1:00 | Lunch at camp |
| 1:00–3:00 | Rest, naps, quiet time |
| 3:30–5:00 | Exploration, camp settling |
| 5:30–7:00 | Dinner |
| 7:30–9:00 | Campfire, games |
| 9:30+ | Stargazing introduction |
Why Acclimation Matters
Your body is working harder than usual just to exist at 8,600 feet. Every breath brings less oxygen. Your heart beats faster. Your kidneys work differently. This is all normal—but it means Day 2 should be easy.
Symptoms that may appear:
- Feeling “off”
- Mild headache (especially morning)
- Interrupted sleep from the night before
- Less appetite
- Fatigue
Response: Water, food, rest, patience. Not pushing through with ambitious activities.
Morning
Waking Up at Altitude
Some family members may report:
- Waking in the night
- Vivid dreams
- Feeling un-rested despite sleep
This is typical. It improves each night.
Breakfast
Take your time. A full, unhurried breakfast:
- Eggs, bacon, pancakes (see Camp Cooking)
- Coffee/tea as ritual
- Plan the day loosely over food
- No rush
Morning Activity: Easy Fishing or Walking
Option A: First Fishing Session
See Fishing Guide for details.
- Shore fishing near camp
- Gentle pace, no long hikes to spots
- Focus on learning the water
- Success = time outside, not fish caught
- Return to camp by late morning
Option B: Shoreline Walk
- Walk along reservoir edge
- 1–2 miles maximum
- Stop often to look, listen, identify
- Bring binoculars for wildlife
- Kids collect interesting rocks (to examine, not keep)
Either option:
- Start by 9 AM (before heat builds)
- Return by 11:30 AM
- Drink water throughout
Midday
Lunch
Simple is fine. Sandwiches, leftovers, snack spread. Nobody needs to cook elaborately on Day 2.
Rest Period
Critical: Schedule intentional downtime from 1–3 PM.
Grandparents: Nap time Parents: Feet up, book open Teens: Hammock, music, journaling Kids: Quiet activities (coloring, reading, card games)
This isn’t laziness—it’s altitude management. Your body is working hard. Let it.
Afternoon
After Rest: Exploration
By 3:30 PM, storms (if any) have usually passed. Options:
Camp Settling:
- Finish setup details
- Organize kitchen properly
- Set up game area
- Prep for dinner
Local Exploration:
- Walk to neighboring campground areas
- Visit the marina (check hours)
- Scout fishing spots for tomorrow
- Identify best stargazing location
Family Games:
- Cards at the picnic table
- Frisbee in open area
- Nature scavenger hunt for kids
Evening
Dinner
Tonight, try something slightly more ambitious:
- Burgers and brats on the grill
- Tacos (fresh ingredients still good)
- Something everyone enjoys
Involve kids in age-appropriate tasks. Cooking together is part of the trip.
First Real Campfire
If conditions allow (check fire restrictions):
- Build fire after dinner
- Circle the chairs
- Marshmallow roasting (yes, already)
- Stories and conversation
- Let the fire be the entertainment
Campfire Topics:
- What surprised you about today?
- What do you want to do this week?
- Stories from past trips
- Questions for grandparents about their childhood
Stargazing Introduction
See Stargazing Guide for details.
Tonight’s goals:
- Find the Big Dipper
- Locate the North Star
- Notice the Milky Way (if dark enough)
- Count shooting stars
Keep it casual. Build anticipation for the darker nights later in the week.
Altitude Checkpoint
End of Day 2 Assessment
| Who | Green Flags | Yellow Flags | Red Flags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyone | Feeling better than Day 1, good appetite, sleeping okay | Persistent mild headache, fatigue | Severe headache, vomiting, confusion |
Green: Continue as planned Yellow: Another easy day tomorrow, monitor closely Red: Consider medical consultation, possible descent
Most people are solidly green by end of Day 2.
For Kids: Day 2
What They’ll Experience
- More energy than yesterday
- Eagerness to explore
- Possible boredom during rest time
- Excitement for evening activities
Kid-Friendly Day 2 Activities
Morning:
- Help with fishing (bait hooks, watch lines)
- Collect “treasure” (interesting rocks, feathers—observe, return)
- First nature journal entries
Afternoon:
- Card games (teach them a new one)
- Building projects (stick forts, rock sculptures)
- Helping with camp tasks
Evening:
- Marshmallow roasting
- First attempts at constellation finding
- Story time by fire
For Grandparents: Day 2
Priorities
- Honor the rest period (naps are medicine)
- Stay hydrated
- Find your comfortable camp routine
- Enjoy grandkid time at easy pace
Good Grandparent Activities
- Teaching card games
- Fishing supervision
- Story telling
- Nature identification
- Photography
- Simply being present
Tonight’s Checklist
- Everyone drank enough water today
- Food properly stored
- Fire completely out
- Plans loosely set for tomorrow
- Kids excited but not overstimulated
- Everyone feeling okay (altitude check)
Tomorrow Preview
Day 3: Water Day
- Morning kayaking/boating on the reservoir
- More serious fishing opportunities
- Water-based exploration
- Evening campfire cooking
With two days of acclimation behind you, tomorrow can include more activity.
The Hidden Value of Day 2: Nothing spectacular happens today. That’s the point. Day 2 is investment in the rest of the week. The families who take it easy now have more energy and enjoyment later. The families who push too hard on Day 2 often struggle by Day 4.