ALTITUDE ACCLIMATIZATION WHILE TREKKING AUSANGATE
Watch out for altitude sickness in Ausangate Trek. Our safety expert shares his tips on the symptoms of AMS, the importance of slow acclimatization and why you need to stay hydrated.
Slowly increase the altitude:
The golden rule of acclimatization to altitude is to slowly increase your altitude. The usual rule of thumb says that hikers should not climb more than 400 meters per day after crossing the 3,000-meter mark. According to this rule, if hikers sleep at a height of 3,400 meters on day 1, they should not sleep higher than 3,800 meters the next day.
Drink abundant liquid for Ausangate Trekking:
If you are thinking to hike Ausangate Trek then, drink lots of fluids but avoid alcohol. Consume 3 to 4 liters of water a day. You can buy drinking water at almost any every village along the trail.
Avoid smoking, alcohol, and sleeping pills:
Smoking, alcohol, and sedatives should always be avoided during high altitude walks. Smoking and sedatives can reduce oxygen flow to the brain, while alcohol can cause dehydration.
Garlic soup or acetazolamide (Diamox):
Garlic soup is a natural acclimatization recipe that is served in almost every restaurant in Cusco. Although its effectiveness is not supported by any scientific study, hiking guides generally recommend that their clients drink garlic soup every day while hiking.
Acetazolamide, commonly known as Diamox, is a drug that helps you acclimatize to a higher altitude. Diamox tablets are sold without a prescription and you can buy them in Cusco before going on a hike.
Don’t overdo it:
Sometimes overwork can also lead to altitude sickness. If you have a Porter or Horse, this shouldn’t be a problem, but if you’re carrying the load yourself, make sure it doesn’t exceed 10kg.
For symptoms of altitude sickness
If you suffer from mild symptoms of altitude sickness at any time, it is advisable not to climb any more. So, if you see symptoms of altitude sickness at 4000 meters, stop right there and do not climb any higher. If symptoms get worse, you should go down immediately.