Comments on: Mt. Kinabalu. http://steventravels.org/2008/10/20/mt-kinabalu Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:14:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: John Diment http://steventravels.org/2008/10/20/mt-kinabalu/comment-page-1#comment-28 John Diment Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:00:38 +0000 http://steventravels.org/?p=152#comment-28 Further to the above travel doctor article is this quote in it: " Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is actually more common in fit young men because they are more likely to attempt a rapid ascent by racing up the mountain like some indestructible super hero! As a general rule, it is far safer (and more enjoyable) to avoid altitude sickness by planning a sensible itinerary that allows for gradual acclimatisation to altitude as you ascend, (you can race back down as fast as you like!)." Further to the above travel doctor article is this quote in it:

” Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is actually more common in fit young men because they are more likely to attempt a rapid ascent by racing up the mountain like some indestructible super hero! As a general rule, it is far safer (and more enjoyable) to avoid altitude sickness by planning a sensible itinerary that allows for gradual acclimatisation to altitude as you ascend, (you can race back down as fast as you like!).”

]]> By: John Diment http://steventravels.org/2008/10/20/mt-kinabalu/comment-page-1#comment-27 John Diment Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:37:55 +0000 http://steventravels.org/?p=152#comment-27 Most of your problem problem was altitude sickness - I was affected like this on a climb I did in Thailand at 3000 meters plus. When you come to Europe catch the cable car up Mt Blanc (which is just over 4000 meters) - it will hit you hard in the same way without the exercise to get there. Of course the exercise make it a lot worse. Have another go taking it more gently with time to adjust. You can do it! See http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/altitude.htm for suggestions of things you can do and possibly take like acetazolamide which you take (125 mg)a couple of days before and helps a lot. Most of your problem problem was altitude sickness – I was affected like this on a climb I did in Thailand at 3000 meters plus. When you come to Europe catch the cable car up Mt Blanc (which is just over 4000 meters) – it will hit you hard in the same way without the exercise to get there. Of course the exercise make it a lot worse.

Have another go taking it more gently with time to adjust. You can do it! See http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/altitude.htm for suggestions of things you can do and possibly take like acetazolamide which you take (125 mg)a couple of days before and helps a lot.

]]> By: Mike Wiltshire http://steventravels.org/2008/10/20/mt-kinabalu/comment-page-1#comment-25 Mike Wiltshire Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:30:08 +0000 http://steventravels.org/?p=152#comment-25 Steven, Bad luck about the climb - and you with a distant cousin in Ed Hillary !! Anyway, the bug (if the one you have is closely related to the one that Carolyn had before you left, and I have had) - is a nasty one, and does / will take some time to go away. The progression is head - ears - throat. Try to get enough and correct medication to stop it becoming a chest cold - and then rest until it is better - it could take up to 2 weeks. The ear thing is usually only about 24 to 36 hours - but my ears were very sore for a day... Back home things are interesting - I (as apparently you were informed) managed to outlast Ray Diamond in the golf - and then the next day I beat Grant Cullis (?) - so I am in the final of the A2 club championship - which is 27 holes match play next Sunday. I just got back from the AGM, and I gave them a blast about the course conditions, the progressive erosion of competitions (over the last few years) and so on - but I doubt if it will do any good. We have some progress in regard to the GA discussions - I know that the federal Minister (who is the effective boss of the GA people) - has asked them for a status report - and that means he is aware, and is taking an interest. So it will be interesting to see what happens in the next week or three. I know Carolyn has advised you - but Europe at this time of year is not a good option - it is both expensive and COLD. Northern Thailand or even Japan would be far better, if you can't stand the tropics. Dad Steven,

Bad luck about the climb – and you with a distant cousin in Ed Hillary !!

Anyway, the bug (if the one you have is closely related to the one that Carolyn had before you left, and I have had) – is a nasty one, and does / will take some time to go away.

The progression is head – ears – throat. Try to get enough and correct medication to stop it becoming a chest cold – and then rest until it is better – it could take up to 2 weeks. The ear thing is usually only about 24 to 36 hours – but my ears were very sore for a day…

Back home things are interesting – I (as apparently you were informed) managed to outlast Ray Diamond in the golf – and then the next day I beat Grant Cullis (?) – so I am in the final of the A2 club championship – which is 27 holes match play next Sunday.

I just got back from the AGM, and I gave them a blast about the course conditions, the progressive erosion of competitions (over the last few years) and so on – but I doubt if it will do any good.

We have some progress in regard to the GA discussions – I know that the federal Minister (who is the effective boss of the GA people) – has asked them for a status report – and that means he is aware, and is taking an interest. So it will be interesting to see what happens in the next week or three.

I know Carolyn has advised you – but Europe at this time of year is not a good option – it is both expensive and COLD. Northern Thailand or even Japan would be far better, if you can’t stand the tropics.

Dad

]]> By: SF http://steventravels.org/2008/10/20/mt-kinabalu/comment-page-1#comment-24 SF Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:56:49 +0000 http://steventravels.org/?p=152#comment-24 BIG POST - good work. Hanging out to see some photos, hopefully all the effort wasn't in vain (and that the sunrise from where you were was still impressive). Your claims of mountain height check out... Wikipedia's Mt Kinabalu page says "Given the high altitude, some people may suffer from altitude sickness and should return immediately to the bottom of the mountain, as breathing and any further movement becomes increasingly difficult." You should take some comfort in the knowledge that you aren't the only person who has been 'mounted' by Kinabalu. Speak to you soon. BIG POST – good work. Hanging out to see some photos, hopefully all the effort wasn’t in vain (and that the sunrise from where you were was still impressive).
Your claims of mountain height check out… Wikipedia’s Mt Kinabalu page says “Given the high altitude, some people may suffer from altitude sickness and should return immediately to the bottom of the mountain, as breathing and any further movement becomes increasingly difficult.”
You should take some comfort in the knowledge that you aren’t the only person who has been ‘mounted’ by Kinabalu. Speak to you soon.

]]> By: Mum http://steventravels.org/2008/10/20/mt-kinabalu/comment-page-1#comment-23 Mum Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:30:59 +0000 http://steventravels.org/?p=152#comment-23 Geeeeeee Steve, what a bummer about your cold... Michael and I have had it and both of us actually spent two days in bed... ( not at the same time luckily) I have not spent more than 6 hours in bed since the last time that I was traveling in Spain and was a bit crook. It is a waste of time, but just hunker down and ride it out. I look forward to seeing the photos. and just a little observation.. Travel can be the best of times, and the worst of times. From incredible excitement to tears and frustrating moments. We are thinking of you babe..Hang in there! Geeeeeee Steve, what a bummer about your cold… Michael and I have had it and both of us actually spent two days in bed… ( not at the same time luckily) I have not spent more than 6 hours in bed since the last time that I was traveling in Spain and was a bit crook. It is a waste of time, but just hunker down and ride it out.
I look forward to seeing the photos. and just a little observation.. Travel can be the best of times, and the worst of times. From incredible excitement to tears and frustrating moments.
We are thinking of you babe..Hang in there!

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