...if you are unfortunate enough to come down with Acute Mountain Sickness. We saw this tableau many a time, with the tourists in varying degrees of distress. The best-off came down on their own feet, in a stumbley sort of way, leaning on porters or guides. Then came the horse-loads, like this guy, heads bobbing in semi-consciousness. And for the worst of all, a seat in a helicopter evacuating the dangerously-ill to Kathmandu; a constant stream above our heads.
Pressure breathe.
ReplyDeleteSigh.
ReplyDeletePressure breathing is very useful for the climbing itself, but ascending in the Himalaya is not like hitting a 14er here in the US. You're going higher, and more importantly, *sleeping* higher every day. You can't pressure breathe at night.
There are only a few ways to stave off AMS in this situation: 1. Hydrate, especially at night. 2. Ascend slowly and take acclimatization day(s). 3. Win the physiological lottery. Oh, or you can take Diamox if you're not allergic to it (as I am).