Almost everyone feels some effect of altitude on the way to Base Camp. The skill is knowing which signs are part of normal adjustment and which are warnings.
Common effects you can usually continue with
- Breathing more deeply or faster than usual.
- Needing to urinate more often.
- Restless sleep, with periods of irregular breathing at night.
- A mild altitude headache.
- A lower appetite.
Even these should be mentioned to your guide, who will keep an eye on you.
Signs that mean stop ascending or descend
If common symptoms are joined by more serious ones, you should stop climbing, and in many cases go down. Warning signs include:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Unusual weakness, dizziness or severe sleeplessness.
- Staggering or walking as though drunk.
- A wet cough, sometimes with frothy or pink sputum.
- Breathlessness while resting.
- A very fast resting heart rate.
What guides do
On our treks, guides check trekkers daily and carry a pulse oximeter, which measures blood oxygen. It is a helpful tool, but a reading is not a diagnosis. It is best used alongside what the trekker feels and how they look and behave.
Medicine
Some people use a preventive medicine for altitude. Whether it suits you is a decision for your doctor before the trip, especially if you have an allergy to sulfa drugs or take other medicines. Medicine never replaces slow ascent and honesty about symptoms.
Good habits
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat small, frequent carbohydrate-rich meals.
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco and sleeping pills.
- Walk slowly, rest often and do not race ahead.
If you are not improving
Descent is the best treatment. Do not wait for the next day.
Why a daily check-in works
Altitude illness rarely appears without warning. A short daily conversation with your guide, comparing sleep, appetite, headache and energy, can reveal early trends. Some operators use a simple scoring system or carry a pulse oximeter. Remember that readings vary and are only one piece of information, so judge them alongside how you feel and look. Honest reporting is far more helpful than trying to look strong.
The rule of not going higher
A widely taught principle is that if symptoms are present, you should not ascend further until they have gone. If they worsen, you should descend. This simple rule prevents many cases of serious illness. It also means you should discuss with your guide in advance how you will handle a day when you feel unwell, including options such as resting a day, walking slowly or turning back.
Supporting someone who is struggling
If a friend is affected, stay calm, keep them warm, encourage fluids and keep them company. Do not leave them alone, because confusion can develop. Ask the guide to assess the situation and be ready to descend. Some trekkers feel embarrassed to turn back, so reassure them that safety matters more than any goal. A rescue or descent early is better than waiting for an emergency.
Keep this in mind
- Never ignore a severe headache that does not respond to rest and fluids.
- Never send someone with symptoms down alone.
- Tell the guide about any medicines you have taken.
- Write down the time that symptoms started, which helps medical staff later.
What our guests say
Excerpts from guest reviews of Himalayan Wonders, our parent company, on Tripadvisor.
“I had an incredible experience with Himalayan Wonders on my Everest Base Camp trek.”
