Ladakh > Travel Tips

Most of Ladakh is at an altitude of more than 3000m so you need to get acclimatised before you can set about. Your body needs to adapt to high altitude, as the higher you go, the air becomes rarified and the oxygen available for you to breathe becomes lesser. Even though your body is capable of adapting to ‘thin air’, you need to give it time to do so. This is what is called acclimatisation. Acclimatisation is essential to avoid acute mountain sickness (AMS). The symptoms include headache, lethargy, dizziness, and loss of appetite.

Acclimatising to High Altitudes
Advice on high altitude
Protection from Sun
Protection against chapping
First Aid Kit
Your trekking kit
Things to consider while packing

Acclimatising to High Altitudes
Time tested advice that veterans give as far as acclimatising is concerned (beyond a height of 8000 feet) is to “work high and sleep low”. This means that one should work up to a height of say 9000 feet but should come down to a height of about 8500 feet to sleep for the night as it helps the body to acclimatise better. However, beyond the height of 18000 feet the body functions start deteriorating and a prolonged stay tells on your health.

Advice on high altitude

The chances of developing high altitude sickness are more for physically fit people as they tend to push their bodies beyond the physical limits – you might have the strength but this is an area where you should not take any chances.
Keep a steady pace because if you go up too fast you are asking for trouble, no matter how physically fit you may be or feel.
Altitude affects each person differently; do not expect everyone in the party to climb/walk at the same speed or even to the same altitude. You should not be embarrassed if you need more time to acclimatise.
If you have allowed one extra day of rest for acclimatisation, in no case try to make up for what you (wrongly) consider lost time.
Always be alert for symptoms of altitude sickness: the early symptoms are persistent headache, nausea, loss of appetite and sleeplessness.

What to do
Do not go higher until such symptoms have disappeared. If they are gone after a night’s rest, for instance, you may resume climbing, but at a reduced speed; if such symptoms persist, descend at once.

More Serious Symptoms
Breathlessness that continues even after resting, severe cough with watery or bubbly pink sputum and noisy bubbly breathing - all these symptoms indicate pulmonary oedema or water in the lungs.

Other Serious Symptoms
Extreme weariness, vomiting, severe headache, drowsiness, staggering walk, irritable behaviour and unconsciousness. These indicate cerebral oedema - water in the brain. If you have these symptoms, you must descend at once, even if it means being carried down or going down at night.

Important Note
Pulmonary Oedema may dissipate after descending 2000 to 3000 feet. You may then go up again but with extreme caution. Cerebral Oedema is not reduced quickly and the track must be abandoned.

Protecting from the Sun:
Apply lots of sun tan lotion and UV protection before going outdoors. Sun at high altitudes is very strong and one can get sun burnt quite easily.
Also remember to drink lots of fluids to avoid sunstroke or dehydration.

Protection against chapping:
Ladakh is a cold desert and the air is extremely dry. Apply lots of cold cream or moisturising lotion on your exposed body parts to avoid chapping.

Your First Aid Kit
The basic first aid kit for hikers should contain the following items:

1 pair of scissors
Tweezers
Sterile needles
Razor blade
Silvazine cream (for burns)
Cotton balls
Soap
Glucose
Electrolyte salt packets (Gastrolyte or Repalyte)
Safety pins
Iodine tablets / weak iodine solution
Bandages - Ace, Roller Gauze, Band-Aids
Moleskin
Bee sting kit
Sling
Strepsil lozenges (for sore throat)
Ibuprofen (for inflammation etc.)
Parcetamol (fever, headaches etc.)
Imodium (for easing diarrhea)
Acetazoleamide (Diamox - for prevention and treatment of acute mountain sickness)

Things to take on a trek

Bagpack - good quality
Pack liner (to guard against wet weather)
Tent and rainfly – if you intend camping. Dome tents are the lightest and can accommodate upto four person
Water bottle
Sleeping bag (down, Fiberfill or a good make)
Plastic ground sheet
Fleece or similar jacket
Long pants
T – shirts (two)
1 long sleeve shirt
Long underwear (depending on the weather/time of the year)
Four pairs of woolen socks – best for avoiding blisters
Four pairs of cotton socks
Sturdy, water repelling hiking boots
Hat (wool if cold) and sunglasses
Gore - Tex (or breathable material) rainjacket
Extra pair of shoes for camp
Flashlight and spare batteries (Energizer or Duracell best)
Bowl, cup, spoon
Stove (if necessary), petrol preferable, MSR - type for high altitude with canister
Plastic ZipLock bags (various sizes)
Candles/lantern
Matches
Safety pins
Extra fastening straps
Tooth brush - tooth paste
Moleskin (for blisters)
Sunscreen (zinc ointments for high altitudes)
Chapstick or lip balm
Toilet paper/tissue
Knife (Swiss Army)
First aid kit consisting any necessary medications (i.e. bee sting kit)
Small hand towel
Camera and film
Small notebook and pens
Iodine or halazone (water purification) or pump
Foam mattress
Food

Things to Consider while Packing
1. Weight should be well distributed:

Metal objects near the top
Heavier objects near the centre and near the hiker’s back
Lighter objects near the bottom (clothing)
Sleeping bag - largest object - either on top or bottom (outside) depending on volume and weight of the equipment of the Bagpack

2. Articles needed along the way should be kept in outside compartments:

Water and purifier
Tissue
Snacks
Small articles
First aid kits
Pocket knife

3. Keep things organised - know where they are - make a list.

4. Keep pack weight down:

Light but warm clothing (i.e. synthetic fleece)
Be sure your pack is comfortable
Reject unnecessary articles like
      Numerous changes of outer clothing/shoes,
      Large bulky utensils,
      Heavy or rich food (rice, vegetables etc.)

5. Personal experience will soon indicate personal preferences/needs. You will learn: