Learn how to recognise symptoms of mild altitude sickness, as well as the potentially deadly HAPE and HACE (fluid in the lungs/brain). Plenty of advice on how to prepare for the trek, plan a safe itinerary, and what to pack.
Follow our family, including our 11-year old son Lionel, on the Annapurna Circuit in winter. See how the altitude affected us as we climbed Thorong La (5,416 meters/ 17769 feet) – Kirk struggled with his breathing, Lionel felt nauseous, and I had mild hypothermia But we all made it safely in the end.

SUMMARY
*Watch out: some people may feel unwell as low as 2,000 meter (6,500 feet).
*Plan a slower ascent above 3,000 meters (10,000 feet)
*Climb high, sleep low. To be safe, only gain 300 meters (1,000 feet) in sleeping elevation at high altitude.
*If you climb faster than the recommended rate, you can build a rest days every three or four days to acclimatise.
*If you suffer from mild altitude sickness, drink a lot, and rest
*Avoid alcohol, which slows down breathing and makes you dehydrated. Avoid sleeping pills. And smoking will certainly not help!
*If you see no improvement, spend an extra night at the same altitude
*If you feel worse, descend to the last place where you felt well
*If you develop HAPE or HACE, this is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate descent of and specialist medical care. You may have to descend in the middle of the night, don't wait till morning. Once fluid builds up in the brain or lungs, you can die in a matter of hours.

DISCLAIMER
This video is based on first-hand experience of struggling with the altitude on the Annapurna Circuit. We also spent decades of travelling in the Himalayas and Alps. With three decades in TV journalism, I've also done extensive research on the impact of high altitude.

I am NOT a doctor, and I do not have direct experience of taking drugs for altitude sickness like Diamox / Acetazolamide or Nifedipine for HAPE or the use of Gamow bags for hyperbaric treatment. So I have not included any information on this topic. Only sticking to what I have first-hand experience of.

I hope this video helps you plan a safe and enjoyable trek.

Director/video/editor: Corinne Vigniel
Shot between Bulbhule and Jomsom including
Bahundanda Sanjye Chame Timang Pisang Gyaru Ngawal Manang Yak Kharka Thorong Phedi Thorong High Camp Thorong La Mukhtinath Pokhara
December 14-30, 2016
Shot on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
Edited on Adobe Premiere CC
++All VIDEO AND PHOTOS COPYRIGHT CORINNE VIGNIEL++

MUSIC FOR TOP TEN TIPS FOR ALTITUDE SICKNESS
Downloaded From YouTube creator

Tip 1 training
Opening_Night_Jason Farnham_dance electronic inspirational 1.50

Tip 2 Planning
Cameras_ALBIS_rock inspirational 1.52

3 Gradual Ascent
Keep_Dreaming_Topher Mohr and Alex Elena_Pop calm 2.52

Tip 4. Acclimatisation
Don’t Look _ Silent Partner 4.25

Tip 5 Broken sleep
Keep_Dreaming_Topher Mohr and Alex Elena_Pop calm 2.52.mp3

Tip 6 – Mild Altitude Sickness
AMS
Hot_Heat_Topher Mohr and Alex Elana_rock inspirational 3.09.mp3

7 Danger HAPE HACE
So_Bueno_The 126ers_Rock inspirational 2.56

8 Food and drinks
Hero_Theme_Twin Musicom_cinematic dramatic 1.42 CC credit

9. Equipment
Voyeur Jingle Punks

10 Accidents / insurance + final world.
Accidents_Will_Happen_SIlent Partner
END