Back at Base Camp

Base Camp is a relief after Michael's first week on the hill. The entire team is now back and continuing to work hard at recovery by doing not very much.




The final 2 climbers returned to Base Camp yesterday and they are all soaking up the splendid weather, culinary delights from the kitchen staff and the comparatively warm temperatures. Being able to shower, shave and change has led to feelings of cleanliness and relief! Michael and crew watched The World's Fastest Indian [imdb] yesterday afternoon. Importantly his appetite is improved at Base Camp and the kitchen staff are obliging all the climbers. Below is a picture of Cedric (USA) passing through an ice arch:



How does acclimatisation work?
The concentration of oxygen at sea level is about 21%. The higher one goes the lower the barometric pressure. For example, at about 3,650m the barometric pressure is less than 65% of sea level pressures meaning less oxygen molecules per breath. To properly oxygenate one's body the breathing rate has to increase––but it can't reach sea level concentrations, so the body must adjust to having less oxygen while it is climbing a mountain!

With time, one's body adapts to the decreased availability of oxygen at a given altitude. This usually takes 1 to 3 days at that altitude and is known as acclimatisation. By spending 1 to 3 days at particular altitudes the body adapts by increasing the depth of respiration, the pressure in pulmonary arteries goes up forcing blood into parts of the lung not used at sea level, the body produces more oxygen-carrying red blood cells as well as a particular enzyme that helps release oxygen from hemoglobin to the body tissues.

It's not unusual to experience mild symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) during acclimatisation. Some of these include: headache, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, nausea, disturbed sleep and generally feeling pretty shabby. These usually subside within a couple of days as the body acclimatises.

So that's why Michael will be up and down the mountain about 3 times in all.