Symptoms of altitude sickness can include headache,
dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, it can
lead to slurred speech, cyanosis, coma and even death – not something to take
lightly. It isn’t generally a concern below 8,000 feet, but the risk increases
significantly above that height. Last week, a Chinese student living in Japan
decided to climb Mt. Fuji, a 12,388-foot Japanese stratovolcano. He started to
feel the effects of altitude sickness and knew he should descend. But he’d lost
his crampons (spiked devices attached to boots for traction) and found himself
stuck. He had to be airlifted to safety. Days later, he returned to retrieve his
cell phone. He got sick again, and had to be rescued twice in five days. Over
200,000 people climb Mt. Fuji every year, but most do it between July and
September, when the trails are officially open, medical facilities are
available, and rescue is easier.
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