I had visited Karakul Lake, China (3,600m altitude) 3 years ago and had no problems breathing while I was there. I assumed I will be OK with Lhasa%26#39;s altitude (3,650m) and had made reservation to go there this summer. However, I have became concerned about the altitude now because many of my friends said they would not go there to take a chance on their health. Does anyone know why altitude sickness is written up for Tibet and not Karakul Lake?
Tibet - altitude sickness
No expert but some thoughts.
I suspect the reason that altitude sickness gets mentioned in connection with Tibet but not Karakul is that more people go to Tibet, spend longer there and go higher to some sites especially if they are into hairy pursuits.
My wife and I had no problems at Karakul (and more recently much higher in the Andes) on day excursions. In walking we did not get breathless but we deliberately took things slowly and were conscious when climbing that we were slower.
Did you sleep up at Karakul? Some people report disturbed sleep at first at altitude.
General advice seems to be go up as slowly as you can, not always possible with modern transport so when you get there take the first day very gently and don%26#39;t rush around after that. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, avoid alcohol.
I think your %26#39;many friends%26#39; are scaremongering and/or don%26#39;t know what they%26#39;re talking about. I would suggest that your wellbeing is more at risk from driving or crossing the street at home than going to high altitude.
Having said that any symptoms of major problems should be treated very seriously indeed.
If you have any reason to doubt your own situation in terms of health or age it would be prudent to talk to your doctor before going. I had cause to do this before a planned trip to Tibet (aborted because of last year%26#39;s problems) and his view was basically as outlined above. He was also dismissive of the medications commonly considered by travellers.
Tibet - altitude sicknessI think Wasleys has given you very good advise. I will be visiting Shangri-la soon %26amp; some people report altitude sickness there even though it is not as high as Lhasa. From what I can gather is seems some people are more predisposed the get Altitude sickness that others. As you visited Karakul Lake %26amp; had no problems I guess you are one of the lucky ones:)
jwyc:
There are some excellent posts and information on this forum on this subject. Altitude sickness appears to effect people differently regardless of age. Many of the posters on this forum have taken Diamox a couple of days prior to and then during their visit and report minimal difficulties. Everyone recommends taking it easy the first couple of days, especially if you are flying in. My wife and I are in our mid 60%26#39;s, took Diamox and had minimal problems during the first three days in Lhasa and the subsequent four days traveling overland to Kathmandu. I would spend some time reading in the forum, make your reservations, go and have a great time. Tibet is not to be missed!
I agree with the first set of precautions that you got on this thread.
However, I%26#39;m not big on drugs and avoid them whenever possible. In fact, I say diamox is way overkill. Furthermore, know the side effects of diamox--you will urinate A LOT. Also, your fingers may tingle--for the rest of your life. If you%26#39;ve had Lasik, you%26#39;ll get blurry vision. So all things considered, I say don%26#39;t do diamox for Lhasa.
Bring aspirin or something in case you have headaches, but avoid anything more hard hitting, like diamox, unless absolutely necessary.
Another reason I say avoid diamox is that 3600m is not very high at all. It%26#39;s all relative, and usually altitude is not that serious until you get over 4600m high, unless you went up way too fast in the first place. [ie The new train is bad news unless you get off and spend a night at each of some of the stops on the way up. Flying in would be a shock too.] Another guaranteed trick is to spend a few nights at this altitude somewhere else to be acclimitized before getting there. Acclimization lasts maybe a week or two after you%26#39;ve come back down.
As Obama would say, if he actually spoke Swahili: ';pole, pole!'; Or as I%26#39;ve taught East African guides how to tell their Chinese clients: ';man4 man4 zhou2!'; Go slow, really slow!
(My background in this : I have travelled overland Kathmandu-Lhasa, flown in to similar altitude twice (Leh, India) made numerous road travels up to 5300 and trekked at the same altitudes)
';Does anyone know why altitude sickness is written up for Tibet and not Karakul Lake?';
There are two completely different elevations involved here at least for poster # 2 : sleeping elevations and day trips. A lower sleeping elevation can often hit a lot harder than for example a pass , because respiration always is compromised when you lie down , and there is more time involved.
';I say diamox is way overkill. Furthermore, know the side effects of diamox--you will urinate A LOT.';
I agree that Diamox is overkill as a preventive for most people flying in to Lhasa. The high urine output is not a side effect though , it麓s how it works : shifting acid balance by increasing bicarbonate output via the kidneys. This allows you to hyperventilate.
';The new train is bad news unless you get off and spend a night at each of some of the stops on the way up. Flying in would be a shock too.';
Overland travel (like Kathmandu-Lhasa or Manali-Leh ) is often a lot worse than flying in , because the of the high elevations in between. There are practically no stops below 4000 meters on the Beijing-Lhasa track after Golmud , and most of it is a lot higher : Nakchu is at 4500 and the peak elevation is 5076. This is irrelevant on the train though , since everyone gets extra oxygen after Golmud, bringing down the effective altitude. (More on the train here : http://korta.nu/ttrain ) The best way to start acclimatization is to go fast to Xining , spend a night or two there , and then take the train in. Worst alternative is Kathmandu-Lhasa overland , too low to start acclimatization and first , actually all nights enroute higher than Lhasa.
Sorry ,correct link here : http://korta.nu/3e3c
Thank you all for your informations, suggestions, web sites, and support.
Now I have another questions.
From Lhasa, I will be heading toward Mt. Everest Bases Camp (Chomolunga) during the first and second week of August 2009. I have been reading about monsoon season in Nepal during August and wonder if that weather include base camp on the China border. Does anyone know?
I am not asking anyone to predict the weather because that is impossible to do. But if I get a general impression of the weather, it will be helpful.
Any suggestions how to pack apparels for Lhasa and base camp.
Should I pack a middle weight or winter coat?
jwyc
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