Langtang Trekking Altitude Sickness: Prevention, Symptoms & Survival Tips

What Is Altitude Sickness? Its Risk On Langtang Trekking

Altitude Sickness is a sickness that happens when there's not enough oxygen available to get in a body at higher altitudes. It generally occurs when one ascends too quickly to a height above 2,500 m (8,200 ft), without giving sufficient time to a body adjust to the lower oxygen levels.

We cannot say there's no risk of altitude sickness on the Langtang Trek, as you'll gain a height of up to 5,000 m (16404.2 ft) above sea level. Hiking up to such elevation is no joke and the situation like getting sick can happen at any time to anyone. Your experience, age, and fitness level don't matter in a mountain.

Actually, there are three different types of mountain sickness: Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), and High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). AMS is the most common one, and you can also call it the starting phase of an unwanted situation on a mountainside.

You only get sick and don't worry, you won't get killed when suffering from AMS. However, if you don't take any wise action immediately or become serious about your situation even after knowing that you're dealing with any one of its symptoms, it'll bring you HAPE or HACE. These two are severe and could cost your life.

Here are the symptoms of these three altitude sicknesses of which you must be aware before your Langtang Valley Trek:

AMS

• Headache (most common)
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue and weakness
• Trouble Sleeping
• Shortness of breath with exertion

HAPE

• Extreme shortness of breath (even at rest)
• A continuous cough (may produce pink, frothy sputum)
• Chest tightness or pain
• Bluish lips and nails (cyanosis)
• Weakness and dizziness

HACE

• Extreme headache and confusion
• Loss of coordination
• Hallucinations or varied mental condition
• Problem walking
• Loss of consciousness

Langtang Trekking Altitude Profile: How Far Above Sea Level Does It Reach?

Langtang Valley Trekking is an outstanding trek offering one of the astonishing views of the peaks in the Langtang Mountain Range. Some of the peaks are listed below:

• Langtang Lirung (7,234 m/23,734 ft)
• Langtang Ri (7,205 m/23,638 ft)
• Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m/22,854 ft)
• Loenpo Gang (6,979 m/22,897 ft)
• Changbu (6,781 m/22,247 ft)

You'll have crystal clear views of these mountains from the highest point of the trek, which is Tserko Ri. Enjoying their heavenly views safely from a far distance, at last, is like a reward for leaving your comfort zone and taking a risk.

But it's also more important to know about the elevations you'll gain each day during your journey in the valley along with getting excited about those views. As a result, we've mentioned the altitude profile of the Langtang Trek below that will assist you in preparing for the height that you're planning to go up against in order to obtain a beautiful reward later in the end:

By looking at the table above, you might now have a thorough knowledge of the altitude of each place you go through during trekking. Always remember to learn about the elevations from the start to the highest point of the trek that you're planning to head in the coming days.

In general, altitude sickness begins happening once you reach 2,500 m (8,200 ft), as the air gets thinner and makes you struggle to breathe. However, just don't be surprised you find yourself or some other individual getting sick just at 1,800 m (5,900 feet). Sometimes, it starts affecting an individual after making up to 1,800 m, especially if they're from a region located at sea level and do careless by ascending rapidly.

After you successfully make it up to 3,500 m (11,483 ft), you must be very concerned now about your body. You shouldn't take anything lightly after reaching up to that height because the risk of developing altitude sickness rises.

In the context of the Langtang Valley Trek, it doesn't matter even if the trail is easy and you're also already an experienced trekker. Altitude sickness can occur to anyone if the elevation of the place is not taken seriously and acts like a smarty-pants during this adventure.

Langtang Valley Trekking Difficulty Level: How Hard Is It?

As stated earlier, the Langtang Valley Hike is the ideal destination for beginners, and it isn't just said easily. The trek is best for first-timers because it is moderate in difficulty.

For that reason, you don't need to be so worried about the trail. It isn't that technically hard. All you need is to be in good shape for this trek and serious about the altitude you'll gain gradually during trekking.

Despite the fact that the trek is considered easy compared to other commercial treks, such as Everest Base Camp (EBC)and Annapurna Circuit Treks, it can still be challenging in some circumstances. To make you alert before you begin your journey in the valley, here are some key points regarding the chances of getting the easy trek go tough sometimes:

High Altitude Threat

It's always one of the first and prominent risks of trekking in any region. Getting over-excited by seeing the mesmerizing views and ascending too fast to reach the place of your overnight stay certainly brings you the situation of getting sick.

This is because the faster you walk at high-altitude locations like the Langtang Region, the less you get the chance to familiarise yourself with the air and environment of the place. Your such behaviour causes you to suffer from symptoms, such as nausea, trouble breathing, headache, insomnia, loss of appetite, etc.

Steep Sections

Although the trek is moderate, some parts are demanding, where you'll need to ascend straight, especially the route between Lama Hotel and Langtang Village. It is straight up, which is why you might feel exhausted too quickly while hiking. You should be very careful in such a steep area, as it's where altitude sickness stands a chance.

Trekking Duration

During the trek to the Langtang Valley, you'll need to walk a minimum of 5 to 7 hours daily by carrying your heavy backpack. Even if you hire a porter to carry your belongings, it can still make you feel difficult to hike for such a long duration in high-elevation areas sometimes if you aren't a regular walking or workout person.

How To Prevent Altitude Sickness In Langtang?

There's always a solution to any problem. Likewise, there are also medications or treatments for mountain sickness. Nevertheless, it's always a wise move to prevent it rather than get a cure after suffering from it.

Below are some ways to avoid altitude sickness in Langtang Region:

Ascend Gradually

Walking at a quick pace is one of the worst things that you can ever do at high-altitude places like the Langtang Valley. The faster you hike, the more you're in danger of getting in trouble shortly. Thus, ascending slowly by taking frequent breaks of at least 7 to 8 minutes while hiking is the favour you can do to yourself during the journey.

Just don't hurry yourself to get to the place of your overnight stay. Walk calmly by enjoying every moment along the route and don't ascend more than 300 to 500 m (984.252 to 1640.42 ft) per day after you reach 3,000 m (9,843 ft). Furthermore, spend an extra day in Kyanjin Gompa to acclimatize your body to hike the Tserko Ri (a viewpoint).

Drink Enough Water

During the trek, drinking enough water helps you fight altitude sickness. Just drink as much water as you can at least 2 to 3 litres every day to keep your body hydrated and away from getting sick. Moreover, eat foods that contain high amounts of water like apples, cucumbers, etc.

Consider Taking Medicine

The best medicine to prevent high-altitude sickness is acetazolamide, readily available in your nearby pharmacy under the brand name, Diamox. Purchase 250 mg which you should take twice a day by breaking it into half (125 mg). Take half of the tablet in the morning after breakfast and another half after dinner.

You should begin taking Diamox 24 or 48 hours before your trek and continue the process for 48 hours more after reaching 3,000 m, and you can finally stop taking it. But we highly advise you not to take the medicine if you're already having a problem with your heart. Even if you're fully a healthy person, you should consult with your preferred doctor first before buying it, as it also has some side effects like tingling, vomiting, frequent urine, etc.

Eat Well

During trekking, you shouldn't let your stomach go empty. Sometimes we feel too lazy to eat because of exhaustion, which does bring us the outcome that we don't expect to happen anytime soon. You should eat a meal as much as your body wants.

Focus on foods that have high levels of carbohydrates like rice, potatoes, and pasta. These foods are heavy, give high power, and take a long time to digest due to which your body gets continuous energy to cover a long distance at high altitudes.

Avoid oily and fried items, drinking alcohol, and smoking cigarettes during your journey in the valley. Remember to carry some extra snacks, such as protein bars, dry fruits, biscuits, chocolates, etc. which you'll need to consume while hiking to boost your energy.

Additionally, have a garlic soup with Timur (a Nepali pepper) daily or add Timur and garlic to your food most of the time. This is because these two are very beneficial things that help us avoid altitude sickness. These are simply like natural Diamox.

Quick Action After Recognizing Symptoms

First of all, you should be able to recognize the symptoms of mountain sickness we discussed above. After you recognize any of the above-mentioned symptoms, the only best thing you can do is stop ascending.

If matters even get worse then immediate descending is all that is needed because there's no better medication than going all down in such circumstances. How much descent you'll need varies depending on your condition. If it isn't that much serious then 300 to 500 m of descending is fine.

What Is The Best Season For Langtang Valley Trek To Avoid Altitude Sickness?

Two seasons are considered the best time to trek the Langtang Valley to avoid altitude sickness: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). During these two seasons, the weather is stable most of the time with clear skies, allowing you to see the panoramic views of the peaks and stunning landscapes of the villages in the Langtang Region.

You don't get such an opportunity during winter (December to February) and monsoon (June to August). Moreover, it isn't safe to go on a trek to the Langtang Valley during these times because:

• You don't get sweaty and thirsty too quickly in winter and not being willing to drink water at all leaves you dehydrated, which causes you altitude sickness.
• Cold temperature brings you a fever, leading you to mountain sickness.
• In the rainy season, the temperature is cold, bringing you the same problem as in winter. Also, you'll have a high chance of facing landslides and floods along the trail, which are dangerous to your life.

Best Acclimatization Stops On Langtang Trekking

While trekking in the Langtang Valley or anywhere else in the world that is high above sea level, you'll need to be careful about taking sufficient breaks for acclimatization. It's essential to walk patiently at a high altitude. Getting overexcited and pushing yourself beyond your limit can surely make you regret it sooner or later.

There are several stopping points along the way that are best to acclimatize your body. Staying overnight at these points during the trek will really help you to succeed in this adventure. They are listed below:

Lama Hotel

It is the first stop after the starting point, Syabrubesi, located at an elevation of 2,470 m (8,103 ft) and considered a good place to stay overnight before further ascending above 3,000 m.

Langtang Village

It is where you'll be at 3,430 m (11,255 ft), meaning you'll now need to be very concerned about altitude sickness because above 3, 000 m, the danger of getting sick increases.

Kyanjin Gompa

It is the place where you'll be staying for two nights because you can't go directly to the highest viewpoint of the trek, Tserko Ri, upon your arrival from Langtang Village. You'll need to go for a short hike to the viewpoint the next morning which takes approximately three hours of walking at a normal pace.

Langtang Valley Trek Itinerary: Why It Is Necessary

While trekking away from your home, it's very necessary to design a proper itinerary, it helps you stay organized and know what is ahead on your way each day. Here are some key points that clarify why it matters during your journey:

• It displays your overnight stay points for each day with the date and time, elevations, and approximate distance and travel duration.
• It assists you in making the most of your time without any hurry.
• It helps you estimate the costs for food and lodging, transportation, and entry fees before your journey begins.
• It helps your group including the guide share a common understanding.
• It helps you modify your plans quickly without tension if anything needs to be changed suddenly.
• It also keeps your people (family and friends) updated about your program so they can contact you in emergencies.

Below is the proper itinerary for you:

Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu (1,400 m/4593.176 ft) to the starting point, Syabrubesi (1,503 m/4,655 ft), covering approximately 80 km in 7-8 hours.

Day 2: Trek to Lama Hotel (2,470 m/8,103 ft), which takes approximately 5-6 hours.

Day 3: Trek to Langtang Village (3,430 m/11,255 ft), taking 6-7 hours of walking at a normal pace.

Day 4: Trek to Kyanjin Gompa (3,865m / 12,675ft), which takes around 3-4 hours of normal walking.

Day 5: Acclimatization Day and Hike to Tserko Ri (5,033m/ 16,500 ft), taking approximately 3 hours.

Day 6: Descend to Lama Hotel by walking for roughly 6-7 hours.

Day 7: Descend to Syabrubesi, taking approximately 4 hours of walking.