Normally we have a loud bell which people can ring at any time of the day or night for emergencies. However, last night we got a knock on the our window at 2 am which nearly scared us to death. We thought a yak was trying to break in or something. A guide had brought down a young man from Oklahoma on a stretcher with oxygen.
Ironically, we recognized him from the bakery in Dingboche from two days ago who was talking about his group's "aggressive" ascent schedule. He had gone too fast for his acclimatization and had succumbed to HAPE and HACE. Unfortunately for him, his guide had not recognized AMS symptoms in him in the several days beforehand, and although he had been warned not to ascend with symptoms, he did anyway. Also unfortunately, his guide has a drinking problem. Luckily for him, his guide and put him on oxygen and found a team to carry him down almost 1000 meters despite being intoxicated. He was actually doing quite well by the time he reached us although we continued him on oxygen overnight. The guide promised he had already arranged helicopter evacuation for the morning.
However, when morning arrived, the guide returned still reeking of alcohol and got into a shouting match with Arjun which nearly turned into punches. Much of the town of Pheriche turned up to watch. From what we understand, it was mostly about money. All the guys tried to intervene in the argument to avoid any injuries. In the end, the patient finally got a helicopter, the guide took off likely for more rocksi (the local rice-based fire water - kinda saki-like), and Arjun called the main office to report him and found out he is related to a famous politician. And this was all before 7am.
Chris & Penny had planned to hike to Kongma La (the same challenging pass which the Aussie and the Mexican had gotten lost on) in a single day. We had been told by multiple prior volunteers that it was possible in good weather. However, because of the altercation, they got a later start than planned.
The morning was busy with several patients and multiple tour groups including a WMS group with a BWH colleague, but we got some good donations and many t-shirt sales. The afternoon weather turned sour and even began snowing at one point, and we wondered how Chris and Penny were doing on the pass. Rachel and Nick who are volunteers in the Machermo aid post (a different but "friend" organization over Cho La near Gokyo) also came to Pheriche. (By the way, "La" means mountain pass in Nepali.) In addition, Sarah and Jim from Extreme Everest and Suzi from the Everest ER base camp tent also turned up. It was a little reunion. We had Rachel, Nick, Sarah, and Jim all over for a beer after a dinner of samosas. (Since Jeet learned they were a favorite, we have had them more often.)
Chris and Penny had still not arrived by dark. They had a sleeping bag and had borrowed our bivy sacs, so they would probably survive a night out although it would be uncomfortable. However, we were just discussing sending a search party when they turned up exhausted and starving. The gathering in the clinic was tame but enjoyable and after Chris and Penny arrived back safely, we had more to celebrate.
Always the researchers, we had asked everyone who had been at altitude for several weeks to donate a small amount of blood for the research study. Since most everyone present was medically trained, we had them draw each other's blood which resulted in the guys getting lightheaded and having to lie down. But in the end, no harm done, and we all went to bed around 10pm as it had been a long night for everyone.
02 May 2013
Ironically, we recognized him from the bakery in Dingboche from two days ago who was talking about his group's "aggressive" ascent schedule. He had gone too fast for his acclimatization and had succumbed to HAPE and HACE. Unfortunately for him, his guide had not recognized AMS symptoms in him in the several days beforehand, and although he had been warned not to ascend with symptoms, he did anyway. Also unfortunately, his guide has a drinking problem. Luckily for him, his guide and put him on oxygen and found a team to carry him down almost 1000 meters despite being intoxicated. He was actually doing quite well by the time he reached us although we continued him on oxygen overnight. The guide promised he had already arranged helicopter evacuation for the morning.
However, when morning arrived, the guide returned still reeking of alcohol and got into a shouting match with Arjun which nearly turned into punches. Much of the town of Pheriche turned up to watch. From what we understand, it was mostly about money. All the guys tried to intervene in the argument to avoid any injuries. In the end, the patient finally got a helicopter, the guide took off likely for more rocksi (the local rice-based fire water - kinda saki-like), and Arjun called the main office to report him and found out he is related to a famous politician. And this was all before 7am.
Chris & Penny had planned to hike to Kongma La (the same challenging pass which the Aussie and the Mexican had gotten lost on) in a single day. We had been told by multiple prior volunteers that it was possible in good weather. However, because of the altercation, they got a later start than planned.
The morning was busy with several patients and multiple tour groups including a WMS group with a BWH colleague, but we got some good donations and many t-shirt sales. The afternoon weather turned sour and even began snowing at one point, and we wondered how Chris and Penny were doing on the pass. Rachel and Nick who are volunteers in the Machermo aid post (a different but "friend" organization over Cho La near Gokyo) also came to Pheriche. (By the way, "La" means mountain pass in Nepali.) In addition, Sarah and Jim from Extreme Everest and Suzi from the Everest ER base camp tent also turned up. It was a little reunion. We had Rachel, Nick, Sarah, and Jim all over for a beer after a dinner of samosas. (Since Jeet learned they were a favorite, we have had them more often.)
Chris and Penny had still not arrived by dark. They had a sleeping bag and had borrowed our bivy sacs, so they would probably survive a night out although it would be uncomfortable. However, we were just discussing sending a search party when they turned up exhausted and starving. The gathering in the clinic was tame but enjoyable and after Chris and Penny arrived back safely, we had more to celebrate.
Always the researchers, we had asked everyone who had been at altitude for several weeks to donate a small amount of blood for the research study. Since most everyone present was medically trained, we had them draw each other's blood which resulted in the guys getting lightheaded and having to lie down. But in the end, no harm done, and we all went to bed around 10pm as it had been a long night for everyone.
02 May 2013
"We thought a yak was trying to break in..." Made my day. Thanks for sharing your adventures!!!!
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