“No Pain, No Gain”.The famous proverb resonates perfectly with the trek to Annapurna Circuit. One of the most popular routes in Nepal, it offers countless amazing views, but not without its fair share of challenges. Among such difficulties, altitude sickness at Annapurna Circuit remains a cause of concern among the trekkers.
Combating altitude sickness remains a challenging task in the Annapurna trek. The symptoms begin to appear beyond 2500 meters when you reach Chame. The mild symptoms can develop into life-threatening complications. Most of the trek’s route lies beyond 2500 meters. Hence, you need to pay attention to prevent health hazards. With proper acclimatization and preparation, altitude-related sickness can be prevented and cured at Annapurna Circuit.
Trekking in the terrains of Nepal brings the risk of altitude sickness. As you ascend to greater heights, the oxygen level in the atmosphere decreases. Your body has difficulty adjusting to the reduced air density. Hence, the human body starts to react differently to the thinner oxygen layer. The symptoms begin en route to Dharapani-Chame. Since more than half of the trek lies beyond 2500 meters, altitude sickness causes problems throughout the Annapurna Circuit trek.
The fourth day of our Annapurna Circuit trek leads you to Chame from Dharapani. You might feel weak and nauseous during the journey. It is common for beginners to suffer the effects. Likewise, people who aren’t acclimated also develop acute altitude sickness. Hence, it is usual for climbers to feel dizzy and uneasy for the first few hours. However, a sudden jump in altitude can affect your health. Everyone who summits over 3300m (Manang) suddenly, will develop cases of moderate altitude sickness.
Once you are in the high-altitude zone (above 2500m), the symptoms take less than 24 hours to appear. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, etc., are common symptoms of altitude sickness. These appear in the first few days of ascending the height. Further, the severity of symptoms increases as you develop the sickness. Some other common symptoms include :
The severity of the symptoms might increase with the high altitude. It is in the best interests of the victims to cure when the signs first appear.
Altitude Sickness at Annapurna Circuit results from decreasing oxygen in the air as you scale. Air pressure is very low at alpine heights beyond 2500 meters. Hence, the layer of air surrounding the area is less dense. As you climb high from a lower altitude, such as Pokhara or Dharapani, the chances of altitude sickness increase. Likewise, extreme temperatures and cold breezes also influence the degree of altitude sickness.
Given the rapid climb to high regions such as Chame, Manang, Pisang, etc., trekkers face difficulty coping with the change. The body starts to fight these changes, and breathing becomes difficult. Ignoring the early symptoms might cause severe injuries. Further, ascent to greater heights without acclimatization can cause damage to internal organs such as the lungs and brain.Â
Acute Mountain Sickness is the most common altitude sickness. You might develop mild symptoms in the first 24 hours of your Annapurna Circuit Trek. As you get acclimated to the surroundings, the symptoms start to disappear. Its symptoms include:
You might develop one or many of these symptoms when you move beyond Dharapani. Take some rest and stay hydrated to get acclimatized to the climate. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is not considered severe and improves within a few days.
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is the condition when highlands start to affect your lungs. It fills fluids in the lungs. As a result, the air sacs can not function properly. The body struggles to breathe, causing life-threatening situations. It is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention. Lowlanders, who climb rapidly beyond 2500 meters, are in danger of developing HAPE. Ignoring the symptoms of AMS also puts you at risk of developing HAPE. Its symptoms are :
You should descend when the HAPE symptoms start to appear. Emergency oxygen and rest can treat High Altitude Pulmonary Edema.
High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) is the most severe form of altitude sickness. It causes the brain to swell and requires emergency medical attention. It is the rarest kind of altitude sickness. Symptoms of HACE develop once you advance beyond 5000m-6000m. However, trekking in Thorung La Pass (5416 meters) might put you at the risk of HACE. Also, High Altitude Cerebral Edema affects those exposed to sparse oxygen. Its symptoms are :
Victims should descend once they develop the signs of HACE. Supplementary oxygen and medications assist in recovery. Yet, HACE can be life-threatening when left untreated.
Acclimatization is the key to combating altitude sickness in Annapurna Circuit. Trekkers need to spend time acclimatizing to the climate. Coretreks has allocated the necessary rest days for our itinerary. Our group takes a break on the seventh day of the trek in Manang (3500 meters). Take appropriate rests and consume enough nutritional foods. Your body needs extra calories to combat the oxygen deficit. Give your body the required time to adjust to the surroundings. Likewise, make necessary itinerary adjustments to avoid altitude sickness.
Stay hydrated throughout your journey in Annapurna Circuit. At higher altitudes, you will start to breathe heavily. Your body starts to lose water at a faster rate. Alpine heights might cause your body to lose water twice as fast as sea level. We suggest you drink more than 4 liters of water every day. Carry the water bottles and stay hydrated throughout the trek. Trekking in humid and dry air causes dehydration. Hence, drink plenty of water to maintain the balance of your body.
Rapid ascendency can cause severe effects on your body. The human body needs time to adjust itself to the surroundings. Sudden exposure to low atmospheric pressure can cause damage to internal organs. You need to avoid climbing more than 300-500 m a day. Likewise, take a rest day after a journey of 800-1000m. You need to rank safety over speed to tackle altitude sickness.
Take extra care of your body in the Annapurna Circuit trail. Trekking in the Himalayas can cause severe physical injuries. Hence, prepare your body for the journey. Consult with your guide and friends as soon as you start to feel uneasy. Ignoring the mild symptoms can cause life-threatening damage. You need to pay special attention when you start to feel weak, short of breath, lightheadedness, etc.
To maintain the warmth, you need extra calories in the high elevations. Faster respiration causes the body to burn calories at a faster rate. Carry snacks like chocolate bars, etc., which are rich in calories contents. Likewise, avoid drinking alcohol during your Annapurna Circuit trek. We suggest you replace caffeinated drinks with herbal tea during the trek. Ensure that the body consumes enough nutrition for the duration.
Thorang La Pass lies at an altitude of 5416m above sea level. At this height, altitude sickness becomes a genuine concern. Rapid advancements to such highlands can cause severe complications for the climbers. The ascent from 3500m to Thorung La Pass takes less than 2 days in the usual trek duration. Such jumps in short duration can cause severe altitude-related sickness. Hence, it is necessary to spend time acclimatizing. In order to avoid altitude sickness, trekkers can gradually ascend the heights and stay hydrated. Here Further, consider the minute changes in the physical health and take necessary remedies when symptoms appear.
Thorang High Camp’s highest point is at an elevation of 4880 meters. The climb between Manang (3519m) and High Camp must be done within two days. However, such a scale brings a high risk of altitude sickness. Likewise, trekkers attempt to move past the Thorong La Pass from the high camp. Yet, you must acclimate to the climate before attempting such a steep attempt. Hence, take a rest day in Manang. After minimizing the risk, the ascendancy towards Thorang La Pass begins.
Altitude sickness at Annapurna Circuit can cause life-threatening damage to the human body. Likewise, it can spoil the thrill of the trek. Altitude-related sickness is preventable and treatable. Yet, when severe, it can cause life-threatening effects. You need to abide by precautions and look to prevent its onset. Acclimatization to climate is the ideal way to begin your preparations. Take special care of your diet and stay hydrated throughout. Further, never ignore the mild symptoms. It can develop into complications when ignored.
Remember that the Annapurna circuit trek is a marathon, not a sprint. Alpine heights are bound to cause problems beyond 2500m. As you climb, its severity grows along. Places like Manang and Thorung La Pass can be difficult to navigate. Yet, it is preventable and curable. Hence, plan your trip accordingly to avoid its complications.
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