The Rupin Pass is a high altitude trek. Naturally, the risks associated with a high altitude trek are different from a trek anywhere else.

1) Altitude and terrain

Most people find it difficult to understand high altitude. The Rupin Pass trek takes you to 15,250 feet. This is considered to be very high altitude. A Himalayan high altitude trek is different from a high altitude trek in Europe. Rarely would a European trek go over 9,000 – 10,000 feet whereas in Himalayas most treks start at these altitudes. Trekkers often don’t understand the implications of starting a trek at high altitude. It means by the time trekkers reach Camp 3 Saruwas Thatch (at 10,500 ft), they may start to display the symptoms of high altitude – mild headache, nausea. That is why a preventive step taken before you start the trek is better than risking a chance of dropping out of a trek because of altitude sickness.

We recommend trekkers to start on a course of Acetazolamide (Diamox®) when they arrive at Delhi. Diamox is a medication that forces the kidneys to excrete bicarbonate, the base form of carbon dioxide. This re-acidifies the blood, balancing the effects of the hyperventilation that occurs at altitude in an attempt to get oxygen. This re-acidification acts as a respiratory stimulant, particularly at night, reducing or eliminating the periodic breathing pattern common at altitude. Its net effect is to accelerate acclimatization.

We recommend a dosage of 125 mg every 12 hours until you arrive at the base camp. After your arrival at the base camp start on a dosage of 250 mg every 12 hours until you complete the trek. Note: You need to continue the medication until you complete the trek.

Though Diamox is a harmless drug, it is recommended that you check with your physician before starting on a course. Especially those who are diabetic or have high/low blood pressure. Those allergic to sulphides should also check with their physician.

We strongly recommend you read this article on the effects of high altitude before starting on the trek.http://www.ismmed.org/np_altitude_tutorial.htm.

A Himalayan trek like the Rupin Pass is such that there is no alternative but to gain altitude rapidly. Even though we have designed the trek to ascend as slowly as possible and have factored in an acclimatization day, there is considerably altitude gain every day of the trek.

2) Weather

On a high altitude trek the weather is not as predictable as it is on the lower hills or in the plains. On the Rupin Pass trek, the higher reaches of the trek is in permafrost. This means whether it is summer or winter, the final stages of the trek is always likely to be on snow. Even though we can predict with reasonably certainty that the months of June and September are the best time to trek, a slight change in atmospheric pressure or a shift in the winds can bring rain or snowfall on the Rupin Pass trek.

A sudden low pressure can bring rain and hail anytime during your trek – especially when you are on the meadows. Most of our trek is done above the tree line. In such terrains it is difficult to find shelter from such a downpour. The best thing to do is to head to your nearest camp as quickly as possible. Rain accompanied by hail stones is common above 11,000 ft. They are fun to watch and experience. However, if a trekker is caught in a hail storm while trekking he/she should protect himself in multiple layers of clothes (including covering the head with a woolen cap). Rarely do you get life threatening hail stones in these regions. Large hailstones sting a bit but are otherwise harmless.

The Rupin Pass trek has been designed to accommodate a second attempt at crossing the pass, should an earlier attempt fail due to bad weather. If in case the weather does not improve over two consecutive days then we abandon the trek.

3) Physical injuries

On a trek it is not uncommon to sprain a leg or accidentally meet with a fall. It happens to us in the cities and it can happen on a trek as well. Sprains, cuts and bruises are less difficult to manage. Fractures and dislocations are rare but more difficult to tackle. The trekker needs to be immobilized and brought down to the base camp as soon as possible. Our trek leaders are trained to handle emergencies like these but they are not doctors. The nearest medical aid is more than 100 kms away and it may take anything from 24-48 hours to get a trekker to a hospital. As a participant on the trek you must be aware of these risks before starting on the trek.

4) Evacuation, emergency and communication

Evacuation of an affected trekker is not a quick process; it takes time. Sometimes the trekker has to be put on a stretcher. At other times he must be carried down with the help of porters. It requires a team of 4-6 porters to bring down a victim. The trails are narrow and sometimes steep. At times there is not enough room for the porters to stand while bringing down a victim. This makes any evacuation a slow process – slower than the usual trekking time. In an emergency when time is of the essence this can be deeply frustrating to the victim as well as those who are with him.

Emergency evacuation by helicopter is not a possibility. Helicopters need to fly from the nearest base at Delhi or Jammu. They need to refuel once in between, usually at Dehradun. This is time consuming. Helicopters also need a flat area of 20X30 meters to land and a clear sky. Usually in the regions we trek, there is a cloud cover by 2-3 pm in the afternoon. It could take 7-8 hours before a helicopter reaches you. Even in a life threatening situation the common rule applied is to move down and not wait for a helicopter to reach the victim. This rule is applied universally across the globe.

Communication on the trek is limited to the use of walkie talkies and runners to send information. Use of satellite phones are banned in our country. Mobile phones do not work. Once on the trek you are cut off from the rest of the world until you complete the trek. The implication is that even in an emergency communication is difficult. It takes time for help to reach you.

Please understand these risks before starting on a high altitude trek in the Himalayas.

5) How Indiahikes is prepared for an emergency

1. Every group is accompanied by a trek leader who is trained to handle emergencies. He knows how to administer first aid, address altitude related problems and issue emergency medications. A high altitude medical kit always accompanies the group on the trek. An evacuation team is ready in case a trekker has to be brought down to a safer camp. A stretcher also accompanies the team when they are on the trek.
2. Trekkers undergo a training program on first-aid and mountain related problems on Day 1 or Day 2 of the trek. This training equips the trekker to handle emergencies. The training helps a trekker to assess risks easier. Even after the trek the training stays useful for future treks.
3. An on call doctor is available on phone at all times during the trek. He/she is trained on mountain related emergencies.