Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/09/18

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Subject: [Leica] Nepal ,altitude
From: ccstirkjr at yahoo.com (CHARLES STIRK JR C)
Date: Sat Sep 18 08:58:32 2004

Most of my experience with altitude is in the Andes but
much the same. Between 3000 - 4000 meters  how different 
people adjust vary greatly with little logic  to it . A
seemingly athletic healthy person will be bed ridden while
, moderately  healthy smoker will be just fine , I normally
am generally not effected bit trouble with restless sleep
and mild headache at close to 4000 meters that goes away
after first day but  I have been told I am a freak .

 Altitude really not that much of an issue at 3000 meters
as you get closer to 4000 meters bit more of an issue .
Over 4000 meters I like to compare it to scuba diving or
space travel you can do it  but takes lots of work if you
follow the guide lines mostly and are in good health all
will go well normally  , The more time you have to
acclimate the better . 

Be very care full if you decide  to take  Diamox
(Acetazolamide) & or Dexamethasone , kinda like taking a
drug that lets you walk on a broken leg works for a while
but , really just masks the symptoms . Every single person
I have know to be hospitalized or die due to altitude
illnesses  has been in some way related to the masking of
symptoms by these drugs , be very careful .
 
Here is good cheat sheet 
http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/safety/altitude.html.

Camera stuff might recommend the 15mm often seems a good
fit at altitude & is small and lite , try not to over do
the polarizer , sky at altitude all ready tends twords the
deep blue  , over use can make fotos look like you traveled
to an alien world .

Chuck

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Replies: Reply from firkin at ncable.net.au (Alastair Firkin) ([Leica] Nepal ,altitude)