12-01-2017, 02:11 AM
Yes, it was Kilimanjaro, essentially blind at the summit followed by a rapid descent to 10,000 ft. under my own power; long story. To make it brief, follow your personal doctor's instructions, and do not defer to the "medically trained" guides. Lesson learned.
I have also trekked in Nepal, only up to slightly above 17,000 ft. in the Gokyo Lakes area, no problems with altitude that time. But a travel companion had to be helicoptered out after only a day of hiking out of Lukla. Her travel buddy who had been to Nepal multiple times told her she didn't need Diamox even though she had had some altitude problems skiing up at Mammoth in California. What a jerk. She spent half her vacation in the hospital in Kathmandu recovering from severe dehydration while he completed the trek. Again, trust your personal physician, not others.
(Edit: oh, and yes, have spent several days in the Andes -- Cuzco and visited Machu Picchu, but didn't do the full trek, and no Diamox needed.)
I have also trekked in Nepal, only up to slightly above 17,000 ft. in the Gokyo Lakes area, no problems with altitude that time. But a travel companion had to be helicoptered out after only a day of hiking out of Lukla. Her travel buddy who had been to Nepal multiple times told her she didn't need Diamox even though she had had some altitude problems skiing up at Mammoth in California. What a jerk. She spent half her vacation in the hospital in Kathmandu recovering from severe dehydration while he completed the trek. Again, trust your personal physician, not others.
(Edit: oh, and yes, have spent several days in the Andes -- Cuzco and visited Machu Picchu, but didn't do the full trek, and no Diamox needed.)