HACE is the third malady associated with hypoxia. It is the least common of the three and probably the most deadly. The initial symptoms may be similar to AMS and HAPE and include:
nausea,
sleeplessness,
headache, and
confusion.
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More specific symptoms include problems with fine motor functions such as fingers and hands. Climbers with HACE become ataxic, meaning they may stumble and walk only with great difficulty. Symptoms can include hallucinations. In any event, in the case of suspected HACE, rapid descent is crucial. The symptoms of HACE may be quick, and death may be imminent after only a few hours. Supervisors must be in constant contact with climbers to continually assess changes in behavior or physical coordination associated with illness that normal fatigue may mask (Houston 1993)
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SOURCE:
-Dougherty, Neil J. IV. Mountaineering Safety. Outdoor Recreation Safety. United States: The School and Community Safety Society of America, 1998.
-Houston, C.S. 1987. Going higher, The story of man and altitude, 3rd ed., rev. Boston: Little, Brown.
Pulmonary and cerebral edema also result from hypoxia and represent a much more significant threat to life. High-altitude pulmonary edema, or HAPE, is less common than AMS but is more serious.
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The primary symptoms of HAPE are:
shortness of breath, even while resting
a cough that may eventually produce a rusty-colored sputum
the individual may be uncomfortable or anxious and exhibit rapid pulse rate in excess of 100, even lying down;
extreme fatigue, mental confusion, and coma may follow; and
possibility of a fever.
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HAPE is sometimes confused with chest colds because of the possibility of a fever. The danger here is that some symptoms are subtle and slow to progress. Other symptoms can develop rapidly and can be fatal. Climbers left to rest, recover, or see how things go tomorrow may become comatose before you can evacuate them. If bad weather develops and climbers are forced to wait it out, it may be too late; HAPE may progress and become fatal. Supervisors must be aware of the symptoms and be conservative in their judgment. The best treatment for an individual suspected of developing HAPE is to descend immediately. Sometimes as little as 1,000 feet of descent is enough to reduce and eliminate HAPE completely (Houston 1993).
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SOURCE:
-Dougherty, Neil J. IV. Mountaineering Safety. Outdoor Recreation Safety. United States: The School and Community Safety Society of America, 1998.
-Houston, C.S. 1987. Going higher, The story of man and altitude, 3rd ed., rev. Boston: Little, Brown.
Over time, most people adapt to the lack of oxygen at moderate altitudes and experience few prolonged adverse symptoms. Other individuals do not fare so well and display a variety of symptoms collectively known as acute mountain sickness (AMS). One important safety rule on the mountain concerns ascending slowly enough that altitude acclimation can occur. Schedule rest days on arrival at significantly high elevations. For moderate altitudes higher than 10,000 to 12,000 feet, it is inadvisable to ascend more than 1,000 feet per day if unacclimated.
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AMS is not necessarily life threatening and you can prevent it by slow ascents and/or ameliorate it by several well-known therapeutic agents. There are wide variations in an individual’s expression of symptoms. AMS may occur at moderate altitudes in some individuals or not until much higher altitudes in others.
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Acute mountain sickness is one of several illnesses that occur with altitude. The best therapy for AMS is descent. AMS is usually a short-term problem that you can eliminate by rest and acclimation.
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(Dougherty, Neil J. IV. Mountaineering Safety. Outdoor Recreation Safety. United States: The School and Community Safety Society of America, 1998.)
In Europe, mountaineering issometimes known as alpinism.  It can be classified as a sport, a hobby or a profession. I consists of walking, hiking, trekking and climbing up the mountains attempting to reach its highest point. This activity require great athletic and technical ability and experience.  Specializations now created to address different aspects of mountains such as the rock. They are called rock-craft, snow-craft and skiing, depending on  chosen route.
The environmental conditions experienced by mountaineers are extreme, to say the least. From altitude to severe weather to avalanches, you must take significant precautions to avoid injury or death.
1. Start small. Try yourself with easy climbs and then gradually increase the difficulty meter as you go along.
2. Invest in your gear. It makes of breaks a climb and you’ll be using it for a while. Study gear is expensive, but it’ll last you a long time.
3. Do some physical training before a climb so that your body is conditioned enough and won’t get shocked from all the rigorous physical activity you’ll be going through.
4. Carry a lot of fluids to keep yourself hydrated and your energy up.
5. Listen to the advice of others. Experience is the best teacher, so listen to pointers from more senior climbers.
6. Learn rope skills like knot tying, rope management, etc.
7. Having a portable music player with you can help de-focus your mind from the fatigue and hardships of a climb.
More tips can be found here.
There have been several instances of mountain climber deaths in the couple of months due to extreme weather and utter lack of discipline amongst the climbers who fail to comply with some of the most basic safety procedures. Some have been proven to be caused by avalanches and other more natural phenomenon but those that have climbers who are ill prepared and have sparked outrage amongst the tight-knit climbing community. Several instances of stranded people have been reported and sadly some deaths have occurred as these people fall prey to one of mother natures more deadly surprises, cold and height. Some people underestimate their climbs and end up stranded amongst high peaks that are either too hard to reach on foot but are also too dangerous for mechanized rescue.
Mountaineering enthusiasts often fit themselves against the specific mountain they are focused on climbing but the mountain always wins in cases of short-sightedness. Most mountaineers who follow safety protocol do succeed but lack of equipment and provisions can cause a lot of problems. Stranded in high altitudes where the weather can turn in an instant, these people find themselves at the mercy of the mountain if she decides to throw a tantrum. As stressed, preparation and a keen understanding of the climb ahead is key so be prepared and get help from the experts to have a safe and enjoyable climb.
Mountaineering has had a growth in following in the past couple of years due to the fact that people are opting to face mother nature in all her beauty and splendor. There is no other sport that fits man against nature to the basics without too much specialized gear and even with it, skill and experience does count for a truly enjoyable trip. Climbs range from easy ones that are simply strolls up established mountain tracks that is taken at a slow and easy pace. More moderate climbs have quite a bit of technical needs in terms of gear and knowledge. Hard or difficult climbs, along with the ones categorized as extreme are best left for the experienced for death is a lingering fact of life on the edge.
Though growing in popularity, many climbers are getting killed because of recklessness and utter disregard for the risks involved. Safety should always be prioritized and precautions taken for emergency. Equipment and gear all have to be checked and every mountaineer knows he is as good as the gear and preparation he makes. Know what you’re getting into and prepare mentally and physically the challenge you are getting into. With that in mind, even the most difficult climb can be made into a wondrous experience that is best experienced firsthand with mother nature as your guide.