Arabia Weather - The summit of Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world, represents a great challenge for climbers and an exceptional experience for the human body, as the body is exposed to harsh conditions and radical environmental changes while ascending to the summit of Everest, which is located in the Himalayan mountain range in Nepal, and which is about 8,848 meters high. Sea surface, and in this article we will answer the question: What happens to the body of climbers on the summit of Mount Everest?
Altitude cough and altitude sickness are among the most common health symptoms faced by climbers of Mount Everest. Altitude sickness can be avoided simply by avoiding strenuous climbs that include an altitude of more than 1,000 feet in one day. As for altitude cough, there is no way to avoid it, and it may cause In drying out the air ducts and sometimes in cracking the ribs.
Furthermore, climbers must be prepared to face high temperatures, as ice and snow strongly reflect the sun's rays and can cause skin burns, and at the base of the peak, temperatures can reach 32 degrees Celsius.
Due to the lack of oxygen at high altitudes, it can cause a lack of brain ischemia, and this may lead to confusion in thinking and difficulty in assessing things correctly. At high altitudes, the digestion process slows down, and the intestines lose their ability to transfer nutrients to the muscles with the same effectiveness.
If climbers want to explore the summit of Mount Everest, they must be extremely brave, as the area near the summit is called the “death zone” and in this place, the amounts of oxygen are very limited, and this can lead to the deterioration of the health condition very quickly, as Oxygen decreases minute by minute, and in the death zone, bodies and lungs struggle desperately to obtain the necessary oxygen, and the risk of heart disease and strokes increases. One mountaineer likens the experience of exploring the summit of Everest to “running on a treadmill and trying to breathe through a narrow opening.” .
At sea level, the air normally contains about 21% oxygen, but as altitudes rise to more than 12,000 feet (3,657 metres) , the oxygen content decreases by up to 40% , leading to a significant decline in body function.
Expeditions usually include at least three trips to the top of a mountain, starting at Everest Base Camp (the highest point in the Himalayas), where climbers must climb thousands of feet on each successive trip before proceeding to the summit.
The first step in preparing for a trip to climb Mount Everest includes conducting a comprehensive medical examination to assess the body’s condition and its ability to withstand the challenges resulting from this arduous journey. In addition, each climber follows an intensive training program that extends over a period of six weeks before starting the climbing trip, and physical exercises are special. Mainly developing cardio strength and physical fitness, which enhances their readiness to face the difficult conditions on the mountaintop. It is preferable for climbers to go to the headquarters designated for training climbers located at the base of the summit, which provides a specialized environment to provide this type of training, and it is usually suggested that they take advantage of these facilities to enhance Their skills and ensuring their physical readiness to face the challenges of climbing.
In the death zone, the brain can swell from lack of oxygen, which can cause nausea and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE). Some climbers may enter a state of high-altitude delirium, which experts often describe as a type of psychosis, and includes strange behaviors such as shedding their clothes. Or talking to imaginary friends and other serious symptoms including anorexia, snow blindness, vomiting and exhaustion caused by lack of oxygen can lead to forgetfulness and misguidance about returning or straying from the route, as well as failure to properly equip and use rescue equipment, such as spare oxygen tanks.
David Carter, who participated in climbing Everest and was a member of the "Nova" expedition in 1988, also said that climbing in the death zone is a very difficult challenge, and many people seek to achieve this great achievement through rigorous physical training and psychological preparation. Ascending to the summit of Mount Everest is not just an adventurous journey, but rather a physical and psychological challenge that requires courage and strong motivation.
Also know:
How old is the oldest water on Earth?
Sources:
Arabia Weather App
Download the app to receive weather notifications and more..
English
