Yatra : Day 9 - Fourth day no Trek - Acclimatization at Gunji

Day 9 - Rest at Gunji - 06 July 2008
Today plan was to take rest at Gunji for acclimatization purposes and do medical tests for all personnel to ass how they are faring with respect to any signs of high BP or HACO or HAPO. Both HACO and HAPO are very serious condition which can get developed in high altitudes in some individuals.

Blood pressure usually goes up at high altitudes. Even for normal people, at high altitude, systolic (maximum) pressure goes up bu 30-40 points than usual and diastolic (minimum) pressure goes up by 10-20 points.

High Altitude Cerebral Oedema / Edema (HACO /HACE) - HACO (HACE in American English, where the spelling is ‘edema’) of is a build-up of fluid around the brain. It’s as serious as it sounds. It is HACO that causes  the persistent headache, vomiting, ataxia and the lack of consciousness. If not treated, death could follow in as little as 24 hours, less if the victim continues ascending. 

High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema / Edema (HAPO / HAPE) - Just as serious, HAPO (HAPE in American English) is the accumulation of fluid around the lungs. It is this condition that causes the persistent cough and pinkish phlegm. Once again, the only sensible option is to descend as fast as possible.

  

So medical tests are conducted at Gunji to see if it has not crossed the dangerous limit of BP especially for the individuals already having high Blood Pressure condition or not developing HACO or HAPO. Medical team is available to take care of any emergencies.

Got up early and took a walk around. Lucky ones in the morning got to see peak of mountain named "Annapurna". In early hours it was looking golden when sun rights fell on to it. Slowly clouds got clear and we could see full view. (In pictures, it is behind the front visible peak). Legend is that no one have been able to climb the mountain till its peak till now. Many have lost lives in the attempt. It is not permitted to climb it nowadays due to so many deaths. Another Legend is that by keeping a visible picture of "Annapurna" peak at home, one can ensure that house will be full of Anna अन्न or grain i.e. there will not be any food shortage in that house due to blessings of Goddess "Annanpoorna" or अन्नपूर्णा देवी.

Everyone was in quite relaxed mode. Few folks who had High BP condition were tensed whether they will be allowed further or not (Gunji medical officer has the final word whether to permit anyone for further journey or not based on their medical condition). All such people were instructed previous night to take their BP medicine properly to keep BP under control. They were also advised to take proper rest in night and not exert themselves (Still Yogi's  went through Yoga exercises in early morning hours). An acupressure technique was taught in Delhi to everyone to bring down the BP by acupressure. This technique was employed widely especially just before BP measurement by many folks to reduce the chances of high BP being detected.

After breakfast went on for medical tests. It was in a nearby medical camp. Results were to be made available in the afternoon.
Before afternoon we had a briefing session for rest of the journey. Essentially since high altitude treeking started from Gunji, so potential problems and how to deal with that was told apart from the route which we would be taking etc. It was again useful session.

In the evening, we went for plantation drive. All the plants which we had carried from Merthi (there were sizable lot who did not throw it away on the away) were planted here. ITBP personnel had dug holes and kept the ground ready for plantation. We planted trees and vowed to check it whiel coming back about how plant is faring. In the past wandering goats and ponies had eaten it away. Watering and winter survival was another issue. Hoped for the best.

After lunch it is time to get the medical results. Most of the persons have passed through. Noone has developed HACO or HAPO. Couple of folks have been detected with High BP and they could be in the danger of not being allowed further. Another short medical tests for them is conducted to ensure the right readings and take care of any temporary phenomenon. One can see them highly tensed outside medical camps. After some time results come out and everyone is allowed but with specific instruction to specific people. Yogi is given warning to stop Physical Yoga for few days. People doing breathing exercises have been told to avoid "Kapal Bhati" (कपाल  भाती - A breathing technique to rejuvenate body system but also causes slight increase in blood pressure). Few selected are given extra doses of BP medicines to carry. They are also given strict instruction to measure their BP every night (Using Blood pressure measuring instrument with accompanying doctor - Our Liason offcer - Dr Atul Gupta is himself a very good Doctor). Everyone is relieved and happy at the end. 

(We had gone through Medical tests at Delhi also and there were few rejects there. There was one case where wife was allowed and husband was not allowed. It was very sad to see that ultimately none of the m travelled with us. There was another case who had been to Everest base camp but he was detected with an potential issue and was not allowed.). All medical condition related decision are taken by Indian Government for the welfare and Safety of Yatris because when we go over to Chinese/Tibetan side, the altitude increases and medical facilities are very minimal. To avoid trouble, all these precautions are taken. By the way this is also a major difference between travel through this route Vs. going through Nepal route using private operators.

After medical test results, it is time to bring our personnel things in order. Shoes and socks and clothes and backpacks can be seen spread out in open to get dried.Fortunately it was sunny day. Had lot of socializing, camera battery charging, caught up on writing diary, rejuvenating (including recovery from previous day dysentery). A fellow gentleman (Mr. Pradeep Sarin) had carried with him tons of chocolates and goodies for children to be distributed in these parts. He took that to village to distribute among children and families.

In the evening a bhajan-kirtan program was conducted at temple followed by Dinner and Rest. Next day plan was to trek to next camp which was "Kalapani". "kalapani" is the place from where Kali river originates.It was about 9 k.m. plain trek with very little to ascend, So there was no hurry to start early in the morning. 

After a long time had a good night rest.