Travel partners wanted for a trip to Ladakh

Yogesh Sarkar

1 or 2 people from Mumbai might joinin, another couple of guys from Pune.

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Abhay_Mysore

I am 47 years now. Done 3 times in last 3 years and always stayed at Sarchu. Twice was ok but once it was sleepless night due to breathlessness. Probably because we had uninterrupted 24 hour drink and smoke routine.

Last time (23\May\2007), we were all fine (4 of us who were 45+ years and "liquid" diet) but the one who was puking in the middle of night was a full vegetarian no drink \ no smoke Doctor of 27 years.

Yes... its all about physiology.... and also probably the specific day???

Abhay_Mysore

Yogesh, following is reproduced from YOUR sticky article on IM forum on how to avoid AMS:

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• “Climb High and sleep low.” This is the maxim used by climbers. You can climb more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) in a day as long as you come back down and sleep at a lower altitude.
***

Your plan of starting from Manali and staying at Sarchu by nightfall the same day nukes your above advise. I am sure you would love to do a "reality check" on altitudes from Manali to Sarchu. What vistet is saying is a caution which is in line with your article. I have gone against this advise and its been ok with me.... my luck. However, I felt my decision wasn't too rational when saw one of my Doctor friend of 27 year old ( I am 47 now) puking in tent in the middle of night on 23\May\2007 last time creating a real meyhem. The biggest concern I had at that time was that Sarchu was a "no-mans-land" with either coming down to Jispa (crossing ever notorious Baralacha la) or Pang through Tangalang la was almost ruled out. Climbing down 1000ft from Sarchu, on either side, as per your article, in less than 4 hours, in case of emergencyy with an unconcious member, is almost impossible at Sarchu, particularly in night. You can try only if in Mitsubishi Pajero.... given an element of luck and a truely supporting team.

Now upto you guys to pick and chose what you like..... I anyway managed it even with "liquid" diet... but it was my own family or close friends who will accept my ignorance and not grill me with a court case. Given the unknown nature of team, I would prefer to hold on. With a team size of 10-15, you can be rest assured that at least one will make sure all others have a sleepless night at Sarchu and nobody will know what to do. Calling it resolve and so on will be philosophical which does not bode well for professionals like you. Of course the sky will be absolutely livid and beautiful to raise your hands and pray. I would suggest that you get some "No responsibility whatsoever" agreement signed by each team member to be on safer side. We love and always look forward to your comments and positive contribution to this IM site, Yogesh.

All the best.

Regards
Abhay

vistet

I guess I should be appalled by medically trained pople acting like this, but I'm not too surprised : Stephen Bezruchka mentions in his book an in depth study on AMS from Nepal , where three of the seven autopsies were made on doctors. He then goes on to the case history of a doctor who made a too fast ascent to Gorak Shep (5185 meters) , was air rescued and died three days later in a Kathmandu hospital , in spite of all posible treatment being used.The only difference between EBC and the Manali-Leh run is the time factor : get delayed and you are in deep trouble. After all , people do die in the EBC's from time to time - despite varying access to medication , Gamow bags and evacuation by air.

And I've been in the same situation as Abhay mention above , only the one who was worst affcted went worse :everything I've learnt after that has taught me how lucky we were to get him down alive.

On a lighter note I have a friend in my workplace who mentioned her doctor friend , a certified diver , who made the classic unthinkable blunder and dived up to her last day , took the flight home ... and was rushed in to a decompression chamber immediately on landing.That's flunking out of two educations in move .. Turned out well in the end , though.

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