Yesterday, I slept all the day and night as my body was showing every sign of Acute Mountain Sickness level 1. I had mild headache, poor appetite and mild fatigue because of less oxigen available per breath. I checked my bag and found 6 tabs of Acetazolamide (Diamox). Acetazolamide speeds up our rate of adapting to conditions (acclimatisation) but it does not mask the symptoms of AMS. Today, I left the Guest House at 1 PM and got the shop, which I had asked for renting me a bike, was closed. I climbed up the Leh Palace on foot only after stopping 100 times to control heavy breathing. Bought a Jacket as thick as a traditional Indian quilt but its not helping my knees and the ankles. The biggest problem in extreme cold is that you cannot drink water merely because either it is too cold or you dont want to open your mouth. I moved to local market and found everything much cheaper because tourist season is off. Atisha Guest House has 24 hour running hot water and this proved to be a boon for me. It is not necessity but the crisis which is the mother of invention. I bought three hot water bags yesterday and filled them with hot water - one for the stomach, one for the back and one for the legs. Believe me this works great. I will be getting the bike tomorrow at 9 and leave for Magnetic Hills and Gurudwars Pathar Sahib and to some Gompas and monasteries. Day after tomorrow will be the day to cross the highest motorable road in the world- Khardungla (18380 feet) by bike. Temperature is down but the wind chill factor is ok here.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:32:57 +0000
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