Abode of Gods
men transplanted from their natural low land habitat to
the bitt.r, almost airless heights of the substratesphere,
where sleeplessness takes place, perception becomes dulled,
judgement faulty, emotion unstable, due to giddiness, will
atrophied and sometimes due to continued vomiting, extinc-
tion itself seems preferable to the next gasping and stumb-
ling step. To avoid all this proper acclimatisation must be
done with the suitable stopovers after every 2000 or 3000
feet of trekking.
Weather. Over-enthusiastic mountaineers keep on pushing
inspite of deteri-orating weather which ultimately results in
devastating catastrophes.
Smoking and drinking. Smoking is dangerous on the moun-
tains, because it requires extra breathing effort on the part
of smoker at a time when lungs require maximum rest.
Drinking affects the circulation of blood and the intake of
oxygen increases, thereby causing breathlessness at higher
altitudes. Drinking on the mountains is hazardous since it
impairs judgement and burns physical reserves of energy
on which we" may have to call at any time.
Ice and snow hazard. Except moraines other glacial pheno-
menon presents, varied and complex problems, including
long and tiring walk over unending and slippery glacier
underneath which are hidden deep crevises and from the
sides hang huge ice falls and seracs which keep hurtling
loose stones and bombarding the area with heavy stones and
ice pieces which fly like projectiles and missiles hitting the
unwary with bullet like ferocity. Most treacherous of all
is the impending threat of falling avalanches which roar
down with tons of ice and snow enveloping everything on
its way and hitting the ignorant and unwary.
Frostbite : Frostbite is temporary or permanent freezing of
limbs which may result in permanent incapacity due to
sudden exposure or lack of precautions. Limbs must be
saved from compression and lack of oxygen. Rapid rewarm-
ing by luke-warm water and warm clothing also helps.
Never rub petrol or kerosene oil.
Dehydration : It is due to shortage of liquid intake and by
excessive breathing which causes rerfnpHrm /^f k/^;t«,