Hike's attempt to climb Mt. Everest Blog.......

[hiker01]

Day ten: Sicker than ever........all I could say, but not proud of....I pooped and threw-up all all over the foothills of Mt. Everest

.......

I definitely now know I'm in deep $hit......I picked up a bad bug from one of the food I ate, must be from the YAK STEAK! Food

just don't stay inside me anymore.....I lost about 15 to 20 lbs!

Tried to eat some of this pizza last night:

It probably was good, but to me it tasted like a piece of cardboard......I've been living on liquid....

breakfast was a no different either.......so, after some black tea and Vit. B12.....off we go....

next destination.......Everest base camp.....1200ft away......seems so close, but yet so far.

Approaching Gorakshep......some ominous clouds:

.........and all hell broke loose.....winds picked up and freezing rain started.....turned to hailstorm!

[Jkay]

Food poisoning while approaching base camp?? NOOOOO!!

[KB]

And now the weather

Some times the good lord makes us pay dearly for what we want or maybe it's Chomolungma who wants her pound of flesh.

Ken

[Pre V]

What an amazing exploration trip HikeUSA! *Bows down incessantly*

I have been on your thread for a good 1 hour now, and am still enjoying every bit of your Everest report.

You must have planned this "Everest Escalation" decades ago, and with every vicarious Day X I am reading, I am feeling your excitement, joy, sorrows and pain.

An inspiration is an understatement. Everest is no fcuking joke, and I am glad to have stumbled on your article and pictures. Somehow right at this moment, or the next few dreams I will have over the next few nights, your progressive climb will be swirling in my head like a 7750 rotor.

This is IT! Everest is the true testament of living a full-life. IMHO.

I had a dream, and it was similar to yours about 12 years ago - but I doubt I will have the bloody balls to do it.

Thank you for sharing your once in a lifetime Everest experience.

By the way, how much did this whole expedition cost in monetary value?

*subscribed, bookmarked, and waiting eagerly waiting for your Base Camp adventures and Everest climb updates*

^one extended bows and exits^

[dbutlerman]

Yaks that make you yak. Not a good thing...

[siesta181]

Hey buddy,

Keep at it mate. Most of us can only dream of such a trip. By the way, you do have a RWG flag to plant at the top don't you?

Cheer

S181

[cornerstone]

By the way, you do have a RWG flag to plant at the top don't you?

[maxman]

Keep fighting the good fight F.

Maybe bumping Into this young lady on the way up will give you a little boost.

[vlydog]

Curious F,

Sounds like you are suffering from a food born illness but what are the symptoms of altitude sickness?

[panerai153]

Wonderful story!!. As someone said,Everest is certainly no joke, and not for the faint of heart. i have enjoyed reading your account and hope that your stomach problems will get better fast. Great adventure!!

I got some altitude sickness at 9000 ft in Switzerland yars ago, so I know this would never be an adventure for this "Flatlander".

[hiker01]

By the way, how much did this whole expedition cost in monetary value?

Depending on the Guide company you sign up with, it ranges from $60K to $75K.

Curious F,

Sounds like you are suffering from a food born illness but what are the symptoms of altitude sickness?

Hey B!

From WIKIpedia:

Altitude sickness—also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), altitude illness, hypobaropathy, or soroche—is a pathological effect of high altitude on humans, caused by acute exposure to low partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude. It commonly occurs above 2,400 metres (8,000 feet). It presents as a collection of nonspecific symptoms, acquired at high altitude or in low air pressure, resembling a case of "flu, carbon monoxide poisoning, or a hangover". It is hard to determine who will be affected by altitude sickness, as there are no specific factors that correlate with a susceptibility to altitude sickness. However, most people can ascend to 2,400 meters (8,000 ft) without difficulty.

Acute mountain sickness can progress to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), which are potentially fatal.

Causes

The percentage of oxygen in air, at 21%, remains almost unchanged up to 70,000 feet (21,000 m).^[6] The RMS velocities of diatomic nitrogen and oxygen are very similar and thus no change occurs in the ratio of oxygen to nitrogen. However, it is the air density itself, the number of molecules (of both oxygen and nitrogen) per given level, which drops as altitude increases. Consequently, the available amount of oxygen to sustain mental and physical alertness decreases above 10,000 feet (3,000 m).^[7] Although the cabin altitude in modern passenger aircraft is kept to 8,000 feet (2,400 m) or lower, some passengers on long-haul flights may experience some symptoms of altitude sickness.^[8]

Dehydration due to the higher rate of water vapor lost from the lungs at higher altitudes may contribute to the symptoms of altitude sickness.^[9]

The rate of ascent, altitude attained, amount of physical activity at high altitude, as well as individual susceptibility, are contributing factors to the onset and severity of high-altitude illness.

Altitude sickness usually occurs following a rapid ascent and can usually be prevented by ascending slowly.^[4] In most of these cases, the symptoms are temporary and usually abate as altitude acclimatisation occurs. However, in extreme cases, altitude sickness can be fatal.

Signs and symptoms

This sign near the peak of

Mount Evans

(elev. 14264 ft or 4,350 meters) in

Colorado

, USA, warns of altitude sickness symptoms.

People have different susceptibilities to altitude sickness; for some otherwise healthy people, acute mountain sickness (AMS) can begin to appear at around 2000 meters (6,500 ft) above sea level, such as at many mountain ski resorts, equivalent to a pressure of 80 kPa.^[14] AMS is the most frequent type of altitude sickness encountered. Symptoms often manifest themselves six to ten hours after ascent and generally subside in one to two days, but they occasionally develop into the more serious conditions. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, stomach illness, dizziness, and sleep disturbance.^[4] Exertion aggravates the symptoms.

The Lake Louise assessment system of AMS is based on a self-report questionnaire as well as a quick clinical assessment.^[15]

Those individuals with the lowest initial partial pressure of end-tidal pCO₂ (the lowest concentration of carbon dioxide at the end of the respiratory cycle, a measure of a higher alveolar ventilation) and corresponding high oxygen saturation levels tend to have a lower incidence of Acute Mountain Sickness than those with high end-tidal pCO₂ and low oxygen saturation levels.^[16]

[edit]Primary symptoms

Headaches are the primary symptom used to diagnose altitude sickness, although a headache is also a symptom ofdehydration. A headache occurring at an altitude above 2,400 metres (8,000 feet = 76 kPa), combined with any one or more of the following symptoms, may indicate altitude sickness:

• Lack of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
  
• Fatigue or weakness
  
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
  
• Insomnia
  
• Pins and needles
  
• Shortness of breath upon exertion
  
• Nosebleed
  
• Persistent rapid pulse
  
• Drowsiness
  
• General malaise
  
• Peripheral edema (swelling of hands, feet, and face).
  
  [edit]Severe symptoms
  
  Symptoms that may indicate life-threatening altitude sickness include: Pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs)
  • Symptoms similar to bronchitis
    
  • Persistent dry cough
    
  • Fever
    
  • Shortness of breath even when resting
    Cerebral edema (swelling of the brain)
    • Headache that does not respond to analgesics
      
    • Unsteady gait
      
    • Gradual loss of consciousness
      
    • Increased nausea
      
    • Retinal hemorrhage
      

    The most serious symptoms of altitude sickness arise from edema (fluid accumulation in the tissues of the body). At very high altitude, humans can get either high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). The physiological cause of altitude-induced edema is not conclusively established. It is currently believed, however, that HACE is caused by local vasodilation of cerebral blood vessels in response to hypoxia, resulting in greater blood flow and, consequently, greater capillary pressures. On the other hand, HAPE may be due to general vasoconstriction in the pulmonary circulation (normally a response to regional ventilation-perfusion mismatches) which, with constant or increased cardiac output, also leads to increases in capillary pressures. For those suffering HACE, dexamethasone may provide temporary relief from symptoms in order to keep descending under their own power.

    HAPE can progress rapidly and is often fatal. Symptoms include fatigue, severe dyspnea at rest, and cough that is initially dry but may progress to produce pink, frothy sputum. Descent to lower altitudes alleviates the symptoms of HAPE.

    HACE is a life threatening condition that can lead to coma or death. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, visual impairment, bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, loss of coordination, paralysis on one side of the body, and confusion. Descent to lower altitudes may save those afflicted with HACE.

    [edit]Prevention

    Ascending slowly is the best way to avoid altitude sickness.^[4] Avoiding strenuous activity such as skiing, hiking, etc. in the first 24 hours at high altitude reduces the symptoms of AMS. As alcohol tends to cause dehydration, which exacerbates AMS, avoiding alcohol consumption in the first 24-hours at a higher altitude is optimal.

    [edit]Altitude acclimatization

    Altitude acclimatization is the process of adjusting to decreasing oxygen levels at higher elevations, in order to avoid altitude sickness.^[17] Once above approximately 3,000 metres (10,000 feet = 70 kPa), most climbers and high-altitude trekkers take the "climb-high, sleep-low" approach. For high-altitude climbers, a typical acclimatization regimen might be to stay a few days at a base camp, climb up to a higher camp (slowly), and then return to base camp. A subsequent climb to the higher camp then includes an overnight stay. This process is then repeated a few times, each time extending the time spent at higher altitudes to let the body adjust to the oxygen level there, a process that involves the production of additional red blood cells.^{[citation needed]} Once the climber has acclimatised to a given altitude, the process is repeated with camps placed at progressively higher elevations. The general rule of thumb is to not ascend more than 300 metres (1,000 ft) per day to sleep. That is, one can climb from 3,000 (10,000 feet = 70 kPa) to 4,500 metres (15,000 feet = 58 kPa) in one day, but one should then descend back to 3,300 metres (11,000 feet = 67.5 kPa) to sleep. This process cannot safely be rushed, and this is why climbers need to spend days (or even weeks at times) acclimatising before attempting to climb a high peak. Simulated altitude equipment that produces hypoxic (reduced oxygen) air can be used to acclimate to high altitude, reducing the total time required on the mountain itself.^{[citation needed]}

    Altitude acclimatization is necessary for some people who move rapidly from lower altitudes to intermediate altitudes (e.g., by aircraft and ground transportation over a few hours), such as from sea level to 8,000 feet (2,400 m) as in many Colorado, USA mountain resorts. Stopping at an intermediate altitude overnight can alleviate or eliminate occurrences of AMS.

    [edit]Medical treatment

    The drug acetazolamide may help some people making a rapid ascent to sleeping altitude above 2,700 metres (9,000 ft), and it may also be effective if started early in the course of AMS.^[18] The Everest Base Camp Medical Centre cautions against its routine use as a substitute for a reasonable ascent schedule, except where rapid ascent is forced by flying into high altitude locations or due to terrain considerations.^[19] The Centre suggests a dosage of 125–250 mg twice daily for prophylaxis, starting from 24 hours before ascending until a few days at the highest altitude or on descending;^[19] with 250 mg twice daily recommended for treatment of AMS.^[20] The Centers for Disease Control and Preventionsuggest a lower dose for prevention of 125 mg acetazolamide every 12 hours.^[21] The CDC advises that Dexamethasone be reserved for treatment of AMS and HACE during descents, and notes that Nifedipine may prevent HAPE.^[21]

    A single randomized controlled trial found that sumatriptan may help prevent altitude sickness.^[22] Despite their popularity, antioxidant treatments have not been found to be effective medications for prevention of AMS.^[23] Interest in phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as sildenafil has been limited by the possibility that these drugs might worsen the headache of mountain sickness.^[24]

    A promising possible preventative treatment for altitude sickness is myo-inositol trispyrophosphate (ITPP), which increases the amount of oxygen released by hemoglobin.

    For centuries, indigenous peoples of the Americas such as the Aymaras of the Altiplano, have chewed coca leaves to try to alleviate the symptoms of mild altitude sickness. In Chinese and Tibetan traditional medicine, extract of root tissue of Radix rhodiola is often taken in order to prevent the same symptoms.

    [edit]Oxygen enrichment

    In high-altitude conditions, oxygen enrichment can counteract the hypoxia related effects of altitude sickness. A small amount of supplemental oxygen reduces the equivalent altitude in climate-controlled rooms. At 3,400 meters (11,155 feet = 67 kPa), raising the oxygen concentration level by 5 percent via an oxygen concentrator and an existing ventilation system provides an effective altitude of 3,000 metres (10,000 feet = 70 kPa), which is more tolerable for surface-dwellers.^[25]

    [edit]Other methods

    Increased water intake may also help in acclimatisation^[26] to replace the fluids lost through heavier breathing in the thin, dry air found at altitude, although consuming excessive quantities ("over-hydration") has no benefits and may cause dangerous hyponatremia.

    Oxygen from gas bottles or liquid containers can be applied directly via a nasal cannula or mask. Oxygen concentrators based upon pressure swing adsorption (PSA), VSA, or vacuum-pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) can be used to generate the oxygen if electricity is available. Stationary oxygen concentrators typically use PSA technology, which has performance degradations at the lower barometric pressures at high altitudes. One way to compensate for the performance degradation is to utilize a concentrator with more flow capacity. There are also portable oxygen concentrators that can be used on vehicular DC power or on internal batteries, and at least one system commercially available measures and compensates for the altitude effect on its performance up to 4,000 meters (13,000 ft). The application of high-purity oxygen from one of these methods increases the partial pressure of oxygen by raising the FiO₂ (fraction of inspired oxygen).

    Also, the use of Nitric Oxide has been proven to address and relieve altitude sickness. 12 scientists recently released a study in which Mount Everest trekkers were allowed to naturally adapt to altitude during their ascent. They were tested for nitric oxide levels along the way. The scientists found that their bodies naturally produced more nitric oxide as they climbed higher. "Our results suggest that nitric oxide is an integral part of the human physiological response to hypoxia." Scientific Reports

    [edit]Treatment

    The only reliable treatment and in many cases the only option available is to descend. Attempts to treat or stabilise the patient in situ at altitude is dangerous unless highly controlled and with good medical facilities. However, the following treatments have been used when the patient's location and circumstances permit:

    [*]Oxygen may be used for mild to moderate AMS below 12,000 feet (3,700 m) and is commonly provided by physicians at mountain resorts. Symptoms abate in 12–36 hours without the need to descend.

    [*]For more serious cases of AMS, or where rapid descent is impractical, a Gamow bag, a portable plastic hyperbaric chamber inflated with a foot pump, can be used to reduce the effective altitude by as much as 1,500 meters (5,000 ft). A Gamow bag is generally used only as an aid to evacuate severe AMS patients, not to treat them at altitude.

    [*]Acetazolamide may assist in altitude aclimatisation but is not a reliable treatment for established cases of even mild altitude sickness.^[27][28]

    [*]The folk remedy for altitude sickness in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia is a tea made from the coca plant. See mate de coca.

    [*]Other treatments include injectable steroids to reduce pulmonary edema, this may buy time to descend but treats a symptom, it does not treat the underlying AMS.

[fijikid]

Yikes. Must feel like utter [censored]. And you gotta keep on keepin' on. At $75K, I'd [censored] myself all the way to the top!

My fingers are crossed, Hike! I know it's all in the history books, but I'm rooting for you. I feel an epiphany coming!

[hiker01]

Day eleven: due to the storm and my deteriorating condition, we decided to stay the night in Gorakshep. Wind was blowing hard mixed with some snow that night. I had some more of the garlic soup,

but my condition was getting worst.

In the morning, the storm abated a bit....but still very cloudy and poor visibility, the wind was down to about 25-30 miles an hour.

After a little breakfast...of one egg and black tea, I decided to make it to base camp so that I could consult with a Doctor and use a satellite phone to call the Kathmandu office of my guide company....

so off we go.

It was hard climb, I barely have the energy to make every step.....my guide and sherpa had to help me up, I had each of my arms around each of them.....they literally carry me up to base camp.....

After two agonizing hours, we made it. Eklal and Ramjin drop me off our tent and went looking for the base camp Doctor, came back with him after 10 minutes....

He checked me out and told me that I have a minor altitude sickness, but he suspect a severe bacterial infection in my stomach! He suggested we called the Kathmandu office via Sat phone so

that we could consult with a doctor in town. After we got thru the office, the owner patch us to a doctor at CIWEC clinic (world renowned for its expertise & research in illnesses associated with travel and altitude)

and he give me the bombshell.........my Mt. Everest adventure is OVER! One more day and I would be buried at base camp! He wants me to come down ASAP!

So.......the owner arrange for a Heli rescue......but because of the stormy condition up at the camp, I have to come down about 4000-5000 ft where the chopper could land.......

Eklal and Ramjin had to carry me down (I halfway walk) around there shoulders.....after 3 hours, we got to Pheriche and the chopper got there 30 minutes later (we had the

pilot pickup Lesley from Namche Bazaar - saved her two days of down climb to Lukla):

on the way to Kathmandu.....the ride from Pheriche was like a roller coaster ride.....the pilot had to skim the mountaintops due to the altitude:

Finally......@the clinic.....and after X-rays, blood and poop test...........

the test came back, it confirmed that I had a minor lung edema and severe bacterial infection.....antibiotics via IV drip......

whAT AN END to my Everest Adventure.............................

[Justasgood]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kudos on the effort. You are my hero.

[Jkay]

Im glad you are back in one piece and it's a testament to your endurance that you kept climbing with such a severe ongoing condition.

[modelizer]

Im glad you are back in one piece and it's a testament to your endurance that you kept climbing with such a severe ongoing condition.

+1

You're a hero Hike!

[tomhorn]

Damn ... sorry to hear you won't be able to complete the journey. Glad you are getting the treatment you need, and kudos for having the guts to go on this adventure!

[archierocks]

i am so glad you made it back down what a story to inspire everyone around you rest well my friend

[Pre V]

It ain't over till it's over.

Rest well my friend. You will always have another opportunity.

Strangely enough, after a late night's read of your thread, I went back, and I was bedridden for more than 72 hours....was down with a severe bacterial infection of the stomach.

In our books, you have already accomplished Everest....by taking that very first step.

[TeeJay]

Greatness isn't in the completion of an endeavor, but in its undertaking

[KB]

Sad for you F but by reaching base camp you have still achieved more than any of us ever will.

Thank you for taking us with you, we saw where you went, we lived your adventure, only we did it from the comfort of our lounge rooms.

Ken

[cornerstone]

What an amazing adventure. Hope you recover soon.

[dluddy]

Amazing F. Envious of your adventure and so glad to have you take us along for the journey

[stolikat]

Thanks for sharing this once in a lifetime experience.

[redwatch]

Wow F what an incredible journey. As many have already said, it is with the first step that you complete your goals. You are the man F! Congrats on your accomplishment and at least you have the opportunity to try it again someday!