Important Information for Trekkers

Rescue Operation – how to be prepared?

If you are trekking with a trekking agency then they should be able to organize a rescue evacuation for you quickly. If not, the following precautions may prevent a long wait for a helicopter for rescue during emergency.

• Have travel insurance and carry your insurance policy number with you,
• Carry a credit card with you,
• Register with your embassy in Kathmandu so they know your activities – registration with embassy (for free at KEEP office) will speed up rescue.
• Register at all with our tourist Police and ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) while you are trekking inside Annapurna region, H.R.A. Himalayan Rescue Association in Manang, Everest region or in Langtang region or any where if you are take a clear advised with your trekking agency and with your guides in Nepal
• Carry first aid kit and avoid trekking on your own.

Acute Mountain Sickness and worse (HACE and HAPE) AMS signs:

Severe headache, loss lof balance/coordination, staggering, irrational behavior, confusion, drowsiness, coma, death (sometimes in a few hours). What to do?? Check with straight-line heel-to-toe walking. HACE victims cannot do it. DECCEND immediately!, even a night, at least 100m. with someone one else; oxygen, Gamow bag, keep patient warm, Diamox.

HACE Signs:

Headache, often with loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, dizziness, disturbed sleep etc. What to do?? Stay at height for 1-3 days or descend, Diamox (250mg every 12 hrs).

HAPE Sign:

Breathless (even at rest), dry cough/pink or rusty spit, blue lips/nails, very tired, low fever, gurgling breath, drowsy, coma, death. What to do? See HACE + nifedipine

Prevention

Ascend slow (300-500m/day), don’t extent yourself, eat high carbohydrate foods, drink lots water minimum 3 liters per day. Locals recommend garlic soups avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Other Problems

• Sick: Doctors at VDC health posts. Trained doctors in ACAP’s Manang office, HRA health aid office in Pheriche and Namche in the Everest’s region in HRA in Langtang region and other famous areas in Nepal. Foreign doctors in Manang and Pheriche (March-April, late Sept.-early December).
• Helicopter evacuation: call. Contact by your agency incase in the emergency. Have credit card ($ 2500) and travel insurance number.
• Horse/Donkeys/mules/yaks stay on the uphill side of these beasts.

Avalanches and Ice Passes:

www.trekseverest.com Himalayan Brothers Trek (P) Ltd. suggest you, Especially in the Annapurna sanctuary trail from Himalaya Hotel to Machhapuchre base camp areas are regularly receives avalanches in the winter and spring. Among of this trail, in the events of other routes called around Dhaulagiri Circuit trek, Amfu Lapcha Pass, Kanchanjungha north base camp trail close to Khambachen and in the event of peak or mountain Climbing during the day time are quite risk able.

Receive updated information before you leave from your professional mountain guides and local lodges owners. Be extra careful during storm. Travel quickly and quietly over avalanches hazard areas.