Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is one of the most common issues faced by people trekking in the Everest region. Since you are trekking in some of the highest altitudes in the world, the risk of getting altitude sickness always lurks behind. Therefore, it is extremely important to have proper knowledge about it. The following article provides information on what it is, what are its symptoms, how to prevent and tackle it, what precautions to take, what protocols to follow, and what to do in case you fall prey to it.

Most trekking and climbing routes in Nepal rise well above 3000 meters (about 10,000 feet), where the risk of altitude sickness becomes significant. Popular trekking destinations like the Everest Base Camp (5364 meters), Annapurna Circuit (up to 5416 meters at Thorong La Pass), and Island Peak (6165 meters) all involve high elevations. Even if you’re not aiming to summit Everest, any trip into the Himalayas usually involves spending days or even weeks at high altitude.

However, one of the biggest challenges faced by anyone venturing into high-altitude environments is not just the physical difficulty of climbing—but how the body reacts to the altitude. This process of the body adjusting to high elevations is known as acclimatization. Acclimatization doesn’t happen overnight. Depending on the altitude and the individual, acclimatization can take several days or even week. For very high peaks like Everest, the acclimatization process can take weeks, often involving multiple trips up and down the mountain before the final summit attempt.

Altitude sickness can occur when you ascend too quickly without allowing your body time to adjust to the reduced oxygen levels. As you climb higher, the air gets thinner—meaning there’s less oxygen available. Your body has to work harder to perform the same tasks. Without proper acclimatization, climbers and trekkers are at risk of Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). In severe cases, this can progress into life-threatening conditions like High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). Acclimatization allows the body to adjust to these conditions gradually and safely. Therefore, you MUST acclimatize to high altitudes during your trek at specific, standard places. Because of this, proper acclimatization is built into most Nepal trekking and climbing itineraries.

Follow a slow ascent to allow for proper acclimatization. If you are a climber, after you ascend, you will need to descend to a lower altitude on the same day in order to acclimatize. Headaches, dizziness, and vomiting, loss of appetite, etc. are some common symptoms of altitude sickness. In case you get altitude sickness, you must immediately descend to lower altitudes and take proper rest and medications.

Below are some additional pieces of advice for combating altitude sickness:

• Train well before starting your journey

• Hire experienced guides

• Carry First Aid and altitude sickness medicines like Diamox

• Trek slow. Don't hurry.

• Eat nutritious food and drink plenty of fluid

• Get proper rest and adequate sleep

• Be knowledgeable about the places you are traveling to

• Check you body from time to time for symptoms of altitude sickness

• Follow necessary protocols

• Wear high quality safety gears

• Carry necessary equipment