HELPFUL TIPS

Last year, we were generally extremely lucky from a health point of
view. A couple of points are worth mentioning.

Any health issues, no matter how trivial they may seem, should be
made known to the team leader early and appropriate advice sought.
On expedition, particularly one of this scale and duration, you need to
be in the best of health all the time.

Returning to a lower altitude is the single best form of treatment for
most ailments; any energy you fear you may lose in dropping (and later regaining) altitude will be well worth sacrificing if it allows you to recover. The chances of successfully fighting any illness at 20,000ft are zero
to none.

Several sections of the climb are or have the potential to be extremely dangerous. Avoid climbing on your own at all costs. If you are consistently slower than your team-mates, try to climb with an
allocated sherpa.

On the higher sections of the mountain, where supplementary oxygen
is being used, we recommend a buddy system to regularly ensure that the system is working effectively. Extrinsic factors, such as icing of the valves can otherwise go unnoticed with potentially detrimental effects.

Remember that you and your team-mates / leaders are affected by altitude, whether you realize it or not. Judgements are impaired and reasoning is not always logical. Work with your team; look out for one another and listen to one another.

We cannot emphasize the importance of nutrition, nutrition, nutrition.
No matter what your appetite, or what great tasting foods you haul to base camp and above, eating enough calories is difficult. Think about it all the time and try to supplement your meals from the outset. Remember to put aside plenty tasty, easy to digest foods for the
summit days early on.

A rest week, where you descend to lower altitude for a few days before the summit bid, is well worthwhile. Not only does it recharge the
system, but also allows a welcome change in diet and rejuvenates
the body with oxygen enriched air.