High Altitude Trekking IS NOT Mountaineering

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Eleanore Porter
6 years ago
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1 A Short Presentation IS NOT Mountaineering 1 / th of August, 2010 Tridib R. Sarma Dept. of Business Administration, Tezpur University Trekking is a multi-days joyful (generally) walking trip enjoying the scenery of rural regions, rugged hills and valleys, from one place to the next place. This is an unstructured outdoor activity, over diverse topography, geography and, possibly, demography! Trekking is not climbing and mountaineering that need special climbing equipment. 2 / 16 There are two different treks - teahouse (or lodge) trekking Teahouses (lodges) are the hotels/lodges run by the local rural people. The lodge/hotels provide locally sourced good food with restaurant-style menus, and amenities. - tented camping trekking. Tented camping is organised all on a tented camping basis. 1

2 3 / 16 High altitude trekking : Generally follows, or just crosses, the snowline Usually above 2500 meters or 8000 feet ASL Under supervision of professionally trained local guide With or without porters, generally in the backpack mode Clothing and Personal attire can make a trekking trip very enjoyable Clothing and attire for Head Face Body Hands Legs Feet Or destroy the enjoyment of self as well as the group!! : Cap, Balaclava, Ski-mask : UV Goggles, Sun-Shade, Thermal Ear-muffs : Multi-layer, Anorak / parka, Wind / waterproof : Full sleeves, gloves : Multi-layer, thick, wind / waterproof : Socks, Boots Waterproofs : Jacket, Pouch 4 / 16 2

3 5 / 16 6 / 16 3

4 7 / 16 Bowie Knife (Rambo Knife) 8 / 16 Rope, in Alpine coil 4

5 9 / 16 e) The stick 10 / 16 e) The stick f) The tent 5

6 11 / 16 e) The stick f) The tent g) Oxygen bottle (!!) 12 / 16 e) The stick f) The tent g) Oxygen bottle (!!) h) The Survival Kit 6

7 13 / 16 Backpacker s First aid Waterproof matches Butane lighter as backup Signal Mirror Whistle Sunscreen (optional) 1 pair wool socks Small flashlight & spare batteries Medication you may need Sewing kit & safety pins Trust, Common-sense and Confidence Thin metal wire (for repairs) Extra boot-laces (may second as small ropes) Small bag of salt (for body's dietary needs) Insect Repellant Spray or ointment / Anti-Mosquito Ointment GPS / Cellular Phone - most of the time they may be useless in the mountains Extra clothing In winter (snow/freeze conditions), even on day hikes, and a little more food Water, carry no less than a liter per four hours on the trail The oxygen level becomes very low at altitudes above 8,000 feet This causes problems for people who normally live at lower altitudes because their bodies aren't used to working on so little oxygen There are 3 main types of identified (but generalized) high-altitude illness: 1. Acute mountain sickness (AMS), that produces funny symptoms all over 2. High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), which affects the lungs 3. High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), which affects the brain and High Altitude Flatus Expulsion (HAFE) or High Altitude Gas (HAG) If one gradually expose the system to conditions of high altitude, the body gets used to the low oxygen level, and one reduces the risk of getting sick CLIMB HIGH REST (sleep) LOW 14 / 16 This is the rationale behind Acclimatization 7

8 15 / 16 allows you to go back home with good memories 16 / 16 allows you to go back home with good memories Thank You 8

Summer 14er Trip Checklist

Summer 14er Trip Checklist Figure 1 Figure 2 Figures 1 and 2 show my pack fully loaded for an 2 night 14er trip. The pack is a 40 liter pack that expands to 50 liters. Figure 3 shows all the gear contained