Brain Aches and Heart Breaks

What an interesting day. We are all well aware of the limited oxygen available, but think we are doing well?.

Until Mark Wilson does some formal Neurocognitive (Brain) function tests. We have all done these at sea level, and generally have found them easy. Grooved pegs have to be fitted into slots as fast as possible? we have to remember a list of 15 words? we must join numbers and letters in sequence (1-A-2-B-3-C..)?we must read a list of colours (red, green, tan, blue), and then repeat it saying the colour of the printed word, not the word itself. To my horror, I find myself rendered totally stupid: after 1-A-2-B-3-C.. I find myself paralysed in a search for the number ?four?.

Siemans have lent me an echocardiography machine, and I set out to examine the hearts of the team, and to measure the pressure in their lung arteries. Amazing! The machine boots up at once, and works perfectly! The controls are so intuitive that, even in my hypoxic state, I am able to get some great data.

Jon Morgan is with us. A qualified anaesthetist and also mountain guide, he takes us up a nearby hill to practice rope-work during the day. We are approached by a delightful Chinese research team, who share many of our interests. At 16.30hrs, we are invited to their mess tent for tea and biscuits, to hear a short presentation. Enthused at the chance of collaborating, we arrange a return match for tomorrow.

The weather has been amazing: cool overnight, but blazing hot by day. We are all thankful for sunscreen, but the temperatures are not helping those who are still suffering high-altitude headaches. Other causes of headaches soon intervene, however?.

Story by Kay Mitchell