Whoa!! Holy fook! Doubling down, dude ~
I sincerely hope that you're better now with no after effects. Geeezze!! I'll assume that you've been to altitude before without any side effects before? One would normally / usually move to a lower altitude if one was becoming dizzy or off kilter. Any symptoms before hand? I'm truly happy to see you write this chit down Today!
"phucked up", in the truest sense of the words!
That's some near fatal chit, dude.
Yeah, so today I feel almost normal. Still get out of breath pretty quickly (walking a few blocks feels like running 9 minute miles).
Been going to the mountains all my life and going over 10k feet is standard. Camped as high as 13k. Never had an issue aside from your typical acclimation period the first couple days.
We usually aclimate at around 8k for a couple days but this trip was last minute. Got permit on Wednesday, drove Thursday, hiked in and camped at 10,400 that night.
First night was fucking torture. I know NOW that I should have pulled the plug and bailed at first light but we decided to “wait and see” figuring I’d feel better as I acclimated. Took some Tylenol, felt a little better and just powered through on Friday.
Friday night took a sleeping pill. Slept like a baby and woke up bloated and puffy, pounding headache, couldn’t walk straight. Went exploring around all day and ate all of the Tylenol and Advil we brought throughout the day.
I thought I was feeling better but in retrospect I think I was just in denial.
Saturday night I barely slept at all. Developed a gurgling cough during the night and could barely breathe if I laid on my back. Woke up with my whole face swollen shut. Jumped in the lake and the cold water helped with the inflammation.
Wife packed as much as she could carry in and out of her pack, I took the rest and we started walking out. She’s a fuckking trooper.
Hike out was only 7 miles but it was the most difficult physical “feat” I’ve ever done.
Ive done full distance Ironman triathlons and ultramarathons. This hike was way harder. I was hallucinating.
Got down to Bishop and felt much better but still couldn’t walk straight.
Monday morning now home, still coughing and can’t walk straight. When to hospital, chest X-ray, MRI on brain an respiratory infection test (everything including covid).
Result? Fluid in lungs, swelling in brain, zero viruses detected.
Lessons learned.…
1. Acclimate.
2. if you feel unusually bad GTFO ASAP.
3. Pack light (we do but not obsessively). You or your travel partner might have to carry more than expected.