Prepare yourself for high altitude trekking

The joys of Trekking in high altitude cannot be described but neither can the dangers related to be stated in words. Lot of trekkers and even sight seers suffer from high altitude sickness. People can be affected by it at 8000 feet but it doesn’t start showing before 12000 feet. It is not the height which causes it but the speed with which you climb that height.

The high altitude sickness is also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Men are more prone to it because they tend to climb the altitude rapidly. For people of both the genders it is always sensible to have enough number of days that give you time to acclimatize. To avoid getting ill in the mountains give yourself 2-3 days to get used to height. For any sort of vigorous activities let you body get accustomed to the cold, thinness of air and the general weather. Mostly doctors prescribe acetazolamide for people flying straight to high altitude places. But it is advisable to seek medical advice before consuming this medicine.

The symptoms of mountain sickness are headache, difficulties in sleeping, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea of loss of appetite. When it becomes severe you might experience less urination, confusions, and difficulties in breathing, severe headache, loss of memory, delirium and unconsciousness. If the symptoms are intense then it can also prove fatal.

Between 6000-8000 feet Trekkers and Climbers should rest for a day or two before starting their journey. You can climb more when the sun’s out and rest 1000 feet above what you were the previous day. Heights can expose you to scorching sun light, spine chilling cold and wind. You should be take precaution against these as well.

Wear boots that give ankle support. Old worn out boots should be preferred instead of new ones. You should carry a pair of extra shoes to walk in around the camps. You should also carry along with you water and wind proof jacket. It’s called Parka/anorak jacket. Carry a pullover, 2-3 t-shirts, a shirt maybe and a long sleeved tee. Carry woolen bottoms as they are more comfortable than jeans. Also carry a woolen cap, woolen socks and gloves.

Lack of water in the body is a main reason behind people falling prey to altitude sickness. The air becomes thin at heights which is usually dry and results in loss of fluid from the body. Dehydration makes lowers you tolerance power, tires you quickly and makes you prone to heat and sunburns. So in the weeks prior to trekking time you should increase your water intake.

If you have had enough fluid before and during trekking you’d sleep better and remain energized on all days of the trek. Get yourself a good comfortable sleeping bag and if you happen to be a

light sleeper carry ear plugs.

Getting hang of the high altitudes differs from person to person. And this can be learned only from hand on experience. But if you have had no prior experience you can start by following the above hints.

Himalaya peak expeditions

For people who love adventure, scaling the Himalayas is the ultimate challenge.

Thousands of trekkers come every year to turn to reality their long-cherished dream of looking down at the world from atop its lofty peaks.

There are several trekking options in the Himalayan ranges. The options for Himalayan expeditions in the Uttaranchal are Garhwal and Kumaon regions in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Kedarnath, Gangotri, Bhagirathi and Nanda Devi are the various well known trekking options.

In the eastern part of India, the states of Sikkim and West Bengal offer mountaineering and trekking expeditions in Himalayas. One of the most commonly undertake

n treks in eastern India is the one through high altitude areas across the Singalila range in Darjeeling. The trek begins at Maneybhanjang (2134 m), goes via Meghma (2900 m), Toughu (3070 m), Gairibas (2621 m), Sandakphu (3636 m), and Phalut (3600m). The return trek to Darjeeling is through Ramman, Rimbick and Bijanbari.

There is another interesting high altitude trek in the Kalimpong region from Relli, Pankhasari, and Neora to the highest peak in the areas, Rochella (3,400 m). It is followed by a steady descent to Tangta, Jhalang along the foothills to Samsing. On the way down, the exotic varieties of Himalayan flora, bird, and wildlife charm the trekkers all throughout. Nepal is another Himalayan destination which caters to a huge array of Adventure Sports. The more you explore, the more there is to explore.

Pre trek preparations are the most crucial which decide the success of the en

tire trip. Pre journey medical examinations are essential if you decide to undertake Himalayan expeditions. You also need to make sure that you have sufficient trekking equipments, arrangements for insurance cover and wireless communication sets. Also it is essential to carry proper warm clothing, trekking boots and other necessary amenities for the entire expedition.

The best time to visits these places are during the months of September to December and March to April, the major treks here include Annapurna Region, Everest Region, Langtang & Helambu Trek, Kanchenjunga Trek, Dolpo Trek, Nepal Mustang Trek, Manaslu Trek, Makalu Trek, Rara Jumla Trek and Dhaulagiri Trek.