As per Wikipedia: Altitude sickness: Symptoms that may indicate life-threatening altitude sickness include: - Pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs): - Symptoms similar to bronchitis - Persistent dry cough - Fever - Shortness of breath even when resting - Cerebral edema (swelling of the brain): - Headache that does not respond to analgesics - Unsteady gait - Gradual loss of consciousness - Increased nausea - Retinal … [Read more...]
Larry Jacobson: Sailor, Author
Larry Jacobson spent 6 years of his life sailing around the world - leaving from and returning to San Francisco California. Recently we had a chance to ask him a few questions about sailing, his 6-year trip and his new book, "The Boy Behind the Gate". Q. You are a prolific sailor - tell us how you first discovered your love of sailing? When I was 13 years old, I crushed both bones in my leg while skiing. I was laid up for 3 … [Read more...]
The Other Side of Everest
The Other Side of Everest by Matt Dickinson This gripping tale is told by a fairly novice climber (at the time) who summits Mt. Everest from the north side during the infamous climbing season of 1996. He joins a team from the UK to film an Everest expedition. Ultimately he along with the UK's most famous high elevation climber, Alan Hinkes and three Sherpas are thrown together after a number of their group drops out. They all summit - … [Read more...]
Mainland Ecuador: A Traveler’s Delight
The Galapagos Islands are among the most popular tourist hot spots of South America, topping the list with Peru's Machu Picchu and the shared Brazilian/Argentine wonder, Iguazu Falls. As a consequence of the islands' appeal, mainland Ecuador is often relegated to a short stopover enroute to the coastal launching point. Visitors choosing to skip the continent and tour only the islands are missing a country with some of the most diverse tourism … [Read more...]
Into Thin Air
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakaeur Describes the events of the Everest Tragedy in 1996. This is a high altitude struggle for survival that involves mortality as well as one man's amazing survival for a night unsheltered above 27,000 feet after he was left for dead. This is a gripping exciting read that makes it hard to put the book down. If you are a fast read you will be absorbed in the events that happened in 1996 and before you know it, … [Read more...]
Everest: Base Camp Diary
This morning I experienced strange tinglings in my feet and face as we waited to board a small plane to Lukla. When someone else described having the same sensations, the doctor on our trip confirmed the classic side effects of altitude sickness tablets. After take-off, however, the discomfort was forgotten as we flew through scenery so stunning you felt you could reach out and touch the snow-topped mountains. Within about ten minutes of landing … [Read more...]
Mt. Rainier, WA
In every inspiring natural creation there is a realism that speaks to you. In every moment on a mountain you find it more and more. You discover yourself in ways not possible through other means. This stays with you and guides you for the rest of your life. May everyone have this chance at least once. ~ Dave Mt. Rainier is the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest USA and the 700 mile long Cascade range which spans from Mt. Lassen in the … [Read more...]
Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb
9/1/2000 - Friday After traveling for three days and undergoing quite an ordeal getting from San Luis Obispo to Nairobi, Kenya, I finally arrive in the Nairobi airport at 7:50 pm. After going through Customs and gratefully retrieving my backpack and suitcase from the baggage claim area, I was overjoyed to see John Bragg there to greet me. We had some very long big hugs of relief to have made it to Nairobi safely and in time before the rest of … [Read more...]
Annapurna Circuit
I'd always fancied myself as a bit of an outdoors-type, and what better way to prove it than a trek through the Himalayas. "Why would I want to walk for that long?" said a startled friend when I asked if he wanted to come along. Obviously he hadn't pictured it in his mind like I had. There it was; snow-capped peaks looming over pine-forests, twinkling stars dancing across the dark Northern skies, Tibetan prayer flags fluttering in the wind, … [Read more...]
7 Years in Tibet
Tashi Delek from Lhasa, The Holy City, at the heart of the Rooftop of the World! A wild & wacky week of travel covering maybe 2000 miles, countless mountain passes, and some of the planet's most beautiful terrain brought me here over a week ago. My route to Lhasa took me from the NW reaches of Yunnan north thru areas which are officially closed to foreigners by the oppressive Communist imperialists which have occupied Tibet for the past 53 … [Read more...]