Everest 2006: Fi and Paul: Rest day in Dingboche, Visiting medical clinic

Location: Dingboche
Altitude: 4300m
Local Time: 5:15pm, 30 Mar 06
Weather: 8C, Cloudy

Hi everyone, its Paul here.

Today was a scheduled rest day so Fiona and Bridge took the opportunity to have a shower. Chris and I reckoned we smelt fine and didn’t need one! It was a bucket over a small tin shed, but they enjoyed it. (Apparently Chris and Bridge are going to be staying in a really nice lodge tomorrow night, so I might avail myself of a shower then.)

Visiting the HRA medical clinic
After breakfast we climbed over a small hill to the town of Pheriche to visit the Himalayan Rescue Association medical clinic. This is staffed by doctors from around the world who volunteer their time to treat trekkers and locals. Trekkers are charged US$40 for a consultation and this subsidises medical services for Nepalise. Although the clinic is only staffed during the trekking season, about two thirds of the people treated are locals. The doctors said that there is much greater awareness amongst westerners about altitude sickness, but lowland Nepalese porters are just as likely to suffer altitude sickness and are usually unaware of the symptoms. They also said that there is a macho attitude amongst the Nepalese towards altitude, so they are reluctant to inform others if they are having problems. A few weeks ago a Nepalese person went from Kathmandu to Lobuje (approx. 4900m) in two days and he died despite the help of the HRA.

Lecture on altitude sickness
We were given an hour lecture on all the various forms of altitude sickness from AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) to HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) and HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema). They had a really interesting slide showing the ability of the body to absorb oxygen from the air and how this decreases significantly in a non-linear fashion as you ascend above 4000m.

Chris and Bridge
Bridge and Chris climbed up a few hundred metres above us to visit a Chorton. They spent a few minutes there and came back down. They then had to go back up, because they left their water bottle! Bridge is feeling fine now.

QECVI - We asked a couple of Sherpas what Babu meant and they said that it means baby or a younger person.

Tomorrow we are off to Lobuje, which is meant to be another gradual climb upwards. Hopefully the weather gods continue to shine.

Regards,
Paul.

Updates

Millet One Sport Everest Boot  has made some minor changes by adding more Kevlar. USES Expeditions / High altitude / Mountaineering in extremely cold conditions / Isothermal to -75°F Gore-Tex® Top dry / Evazote Reinforcements with aramid threads. Avg. Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz Sizes: 5 - 14 DESCRIPTION Boot with semi-rigid shell and built-in Gore-Tex® gaiter reinforced by aramid threads, and removable inner slipper Automatic crampon attachment Non-compressive fastening Double zip, so easier to put on Microcellular midsole to increase insulation Removable inner slipper in aluminized alveolate Fiberglass and carbon footbed Cordura + Evazote upper Elasticated collar. Expedition footwear for mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold.  NOTE US SIZES LISTED. See more here.

A cold weather, high altitude double boot for extreme conditions The Olympus Mons is the perfect choice for 8000-meter peaks. This super lightweight double boot has a PE thermal insulating inner boot that is coupled with a thermo-reflective outer boot with an integrated gaiter. We used a super insulating lightweight PE outsole to keep the weight down and the TPU midsole is excellent for crampon compatibility and stability on steep terrain. WEIGHT: 39.86 oz • 1130 g LAST: Olympus Mons CONSTRUCTION: Inner: Slip lasted Outer: Board Lasted OUTER BOOT: Cordura® upper lined with dual-density PE micro-cellular thermal insulating closed cell foam and thermo-reflective aluminium facing/ Insulated removable footbed/ Vibram® rubber rand See more here.

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