Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Overdue Hiker

I am bothered by some of the characterizations of Mr. Das.

I believe that one of the underappreciated aspects of altitude illness is how it can affect some people's mental functioning.

Add in dehydration, hypoglycemia, and who knows what other metabolic derangements, and you may have a brain that is really not functioning at higher levels. You may have underlying medical problems.

When I hear of people ending up at the bottom of various ravines that are not part of the trail, and wonder how they got there, I sometimes think that their malfunctioning brains may have led them there.

I remember the time I fell asleep standing up, I was so tired on Mt Williamson (and badly sunburned)....couldn't believe it.

Hoping he has recovered.

I note that may victims of SAR don't remember their adventures....brain was unplugged.

Ken.

to continue on the brain-malfunctioning topic.... it is a favorite of mine from a mountaineering literature perspective

You know this, but other readers may not realize that the official definition of high altitude illnesses begins at "only" 8,000 ft. And that means not just mild AMS but all its complications including HAPE and HACE. Rare, yes, but it happens. Some people are very, very sensitive. Some medical authorities and even Boeing ( airliners are pressurized to 8,000-ft equivalent) believe that altitude illnesses begin at levels even lower than 8,000.

Getting back to our patient here, the quote below seems appropriate. It was one I supplied to a speaker at the Banff Mountain Festival last fall. The topic was about how "the story" gets changed as people descend ( or not) with malfunctioning judgment and memory. Presentations were given by writers ("the first book is the best one"), members of the press (we know how inaccurate they often are), a climber, and a medical speaker. It is hard to improve upon what was said by the King of Mt Everest, George Mallory, way back in 1922- the Second British Expedition. He is not being insulting, but medically descriptive.

Mountaineers have often observed a lack of clarity in their mental state at high altitudes; it is difficult for the stupid mind to observe how stupid it is.
George Mallory, Chapters IV-VI, X-XI in
Bruce, CG, The Assault on Mount Everest 1922, page 129

Harvey, extending the thinking on the altitude and flying issue....in my area, there are a LOT of people who complain how they get ill during/after a flight. It is ALWAYS blamed on "the air" in an enclosed space, although I've seen studies that show the air is incredibly pure.

SOMETHING is going on. Personally, I think it is altitude illness.

It would be interesting to do a study on this.

For example, I would think there would be a significant difference between people who fly out of Denver (5K), and LA (125 feet), in residents flying out on similar planes.

We know that one of the main issues is the rate of ascent, and it is hard to imagine going up faster!

Hmmmmmm.

Also:

http://www.myairlineflight.com/cabin_pressurization.html

Now that the altitude discussion has moved to another thread, I'd like to answer this concern. Speaking only for myself, but also observant of others' remarks, I don't feel that anything posted about Mr Das was intended as a personal criticism of him or anyone sharing anything in common with him. I see all of these comments, including mine, simply as a reflection on his circumstances and probable condition at the time. At least that was my intention. If anything I wrote gave any other impression, I apologize. I was in touch with the family briefly, and have nothing but the utmost respect and compassion for Mr. Das and his family, and would presume the same of all the comments I read.

But thanks for the reminder of being careful in topics like this, which do deal with individuals and their difficult circumstances.

On rereading my post, I see that I may have sounded a little cavalier in mentioning Mr Das's age. I was really looking at it from the perspective of myself in Mr Das's position. I am in my 60's as well, so I was speaking with firsthand appreciation of the facts. I am at the point where I am glad that my family hiking with me are looking out for me in certain ways that they didn't a few years ago, and which I would wish Mr Das had benefitted from. If we have learned anything on the trail, it has been to stick together, and when to back off


I hope these discussions will continue to draw lessons .

Dog, yours was not the postings I'd had in mind, but rather where there was a characterization of "stupid".

Ah. With you there.

the first time it was used.

the Mallory quote using the same word had a completely different connotation

I certainly agree, Harvey.