Scrapbook Adventures Backpacking to Sandbeach Lake in the Rockies . . . An introduction to Acute Mountain Sickness - 7/98 Text and photos by Kip Ladage Page 2 We soon reached the trailhead where our packs were quickly removed. Still not realizing we were in trouble, Zach and I tried to determine where we could find a soda machine. All we needed was a little caffeine, or so we thought.  A staffed ranger kiosk was nearby, so we thought we would ask him where to find a Dr. Pepper.  Strangely, as soon as we asked the ranger about the soda, he began asking us questions. “Where have you been,” he asked. “Sandbeach Lake,” we responded. “How long were you up there,” was his next question. “We left yesterday afternoon,” I said. “And where are you from,” he asked. I told him we were from Northeast Iowa and that I really needed a Dr. Pepper.  The ranger suggested that we sit down, and informed us in no uncertain terms that we did not need any caffeine. Within minutes he asked again how we were feeling, I’m sure he knew what was about to happen.  Nausea was only the initial symptom. I soon began to lose my sense of balance. Fortunately the ranger was well trained and moved me to a supine position. My feet were elevated above my head followed by an urgent radio transmission by the ranger. “This is the Wild Basin Ranger Station … we need oxygen.” With that statement, Zach and I realized our situation had become serious, very serious.      Additional rangers seemed to come from all over. Oxygen was provided to both of us -Zach by cannula, mine was delivered by mask. Zach continued sitting and answered ranger questions while my condition worsened. First I lost feeling in my feet, followed by my arms and hands. If that wasn’t enough, my level of consciousness was dropping quickly. The nausea that bothered us so severely earlier soon developed into full-fledged vomiting. Unfortunately, I was no longer able to move myself. To prevent aspiration, the rangers rolled me over and lifted me while I vomited. My blood pressure dropped to 88/70 with a pulse rate around 100. The situation had developed into a very serious condition.  “This is the Wild Basin. Ranger Station . . . we need oxygen and an ambulance . . . “ I’m not sure what transpired during the minutes before the ambulance arrived. Paramedics were soon tending to us, asking questions and getting an IV started. Before I was even loaded into the ambulance, they had squeezed two 1000 ml bags of saline into my arm. Add to that two small tanks of oxygen, and it is easy to understand the extent of the situation.  Shortly before I was loaded into the ambulance, my wife and daughter arrived. With the help of rangers, my wife was able to load our packs into the car, along with Zach and my daughter. They followed the ambulance to the hospital, At some point during the trip, my wife tells of having to stop while several elk crossed the road. I don’t remember that.  Once at the hospital, Zach was given copious amounts of water to drink. I received a third 1000 ml bag of IV solution and oxygen. My blood was tested for waterborne parasites and vitals were monitored -- ironically, by a nurse and doctor originally from Iowa.  Two or three hours later, when my blood pressure remained stable as I sat up, I received my discharge papers. Diagnosis: Acute Mountain Sickness compounded by dehydration.  According to the Emergency Room staff, Acute Mountain Sickness can strike anyone. Those most at risk are people who haven’t given themselves a day or two to acclimate to the elevation change, and those in good shape who least expect themselves to have trouble.  I also learned that acute mountain sickness and dehydration work together to debilitate even the most highly trained hiker. Acute mountain sickness induces nausea that causes most people to limit their intake, thus causing dehydration and more acute mountain sickness.      Click here to e-mail questions and comments regarding Backpacking to Sandbeach Lake...an Introduction to Acute Mountain Sickness.     Click here to link to Ladage Photography and Destinations.