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A magic of the East has been always attracting the minds of the Western minds. For many centuries Japan was closed for the foreigners, but even its open now there still remains a mystery. Japan is a unique combination of the traditions and the latest technology achievements. You can never say for sure that you have understood this country and its inhabitants.

Japan has a lot to show. The main and the biggest city, the capital of Japan - Tokyo - can be the starting point to this orient country. It’s not only the Japanese biggest city, but if count with its suburbs, the biggest metropolis on earth. Despite high towers of the office buildings, the most up-to-date underground and railway trains, there still exist the remains of the Tokyo long history. Ancients temples and palaces are the main tourist attractions in the Japanese capital. However the Tokyo citizens like to visit places too. Sensoji Temple, Meiji Shrine, Sengakuji Temple, Yasukuni Shrine, Zojoji Temple - just to name a few. Among all the existing palaces the Imperial palace occupies a very special position. The current Imperial Palace (Kokyo) is located on the former site of Edo Castle in a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone. It is the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family.
The best season to visit Tokyo is spring when the cherry blossom creates a mystique atmosphere.

One of the things (except the beauty of the nature and the magnificence of the cultural heritage), which attract a millions of tourists to Tokyo - is shopping. Yes, this Orient city has become one of the world’s fashion Meccas comparable to the best European and American destinations.
The former Japan capital, Kyoto is also worth visiting. It was the emperor’s residence from 794 until 1868 and survived a lot of troubles and disasters. Countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures still exist and are being saved. One the most impressive structures is Imperial Palace. It has lost its Royal status but not his beauty and glory. Kyoto is still considered to be the cultural capital of Japan.

Osaka, with its population of 2.5 million, is Japan’s third largest and second most important city. What to see there? Osaka Castle, famous entertainment and shopping district of Minami, Umeda Sky Building, National Bunraku Theater, Osaka Aquarium.

Those who are interested in not so distant history could be interested in visiting Hiroshima and Nagasaki - two cities having become the targets for the atomic bombs in 1945. Both these cities have museums devoting to these events.

Those who are fond of nature should visit Daisetsuzan - the biggest National Park in Japan. It’s situated on Hokkaido - the most Northern and the second largest island in Japan. As Japan lays on the isolated islands its nature is interesting and unique.

When you come to Japan you surely shouldn’t miss - Mount Fuji, one the most popular and wide known symbols of the country. Fuji is a Japan’s highest mountain with a dormant volcano, which most recently erupted in 1708. The best view of the Mount Fuji opens from the train on a trip between Tokyo and Osaka. Fuji is open for climbing during July and August via several routes.

Whatever is your purpose of visit to Japan you will meet a lot of outstanding and fabulous things you can never see in other places.

For booking a hotel in any part of the world, please, go to http://www.bb72.com

Hall was frostbitten and severely disoriented due to altitude sickness. Andrew Brash returned a hero to Calgarians. With the Chinese preparing for the impending summer Olympic Games, Bahadur Sherchan noted that the government’s actions hardly reflected the Olympic spirit. Min Bahadur Sherchan returned this week from Nepal after successfully climbing to the summit of Mt Everest. The 76-year-old man from Nepal is now the oldest person to have reached the top of the Mount Everest. They flexed their muscles this year all the in name of the Olympic spirit, but it was hardly spirited at all.”

Further, the decision to actualize a long-time personal goal left Andrew Brash with some internal uncertainties, he cited the political actions of China and Nepal as providing the greatest adversity he faced on his journey. His first found him within 156 metres of the peak when his team stopped to help a fellow mountaineer who was left for dead. later, Bahadur Sherchan, a University of Calgary alumni, returned to Chomolungma or Mount Everest to finish what he had started.

This season Anthony Loeff the French alpinist is reporting the scales for Mount Everest after he reached the top of earlier this year.

As he planned for the climb, Sherchan told reporters he wanted to inspire fellow senior citizens. He also said many Nepalese have established records on Chomolungma, so it was only fitting that the record for the oldest climber to reach the summit should also belong to a Nepali. Sherchan just 7 days away from his 77th birthday beat the age record set last year by 71-year-old Japanese teacher Katsusuke Yanagisawa.

Indeed, he was all too aware of the potential dangers the mountain could bring. Certain parts of the climb are more dangerous than others and it is important for climbers to remain focused Min Bahadur Sherchan and four climbing guides reached the 29,035-foot (8,850-meters) summit of the world’s highest mountain early Sunday, said Ramesh Chretri, an official with Nepal’s ministry of tourism. He was reported in good health as he began making his descent. Now that Min Bahadur Sherchan has successfully scaled the tallest mountain in the world, he is once again ready to focus on his family. “The Chinese weren’t allowing anybody on the mountain. They ended up commandeering it for themselves, even though the mountain is shared by two countries. The Chinese were flying their airplanes over the mountain and had Chinese officials in Kathmandu. More than 3071 people have climbed to the summit since it was first conquered in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary, who died in January, and Nepal’s Tenzing Norgay.

Andrew Brash last attempt resulted in the rescue of Lincoln Hall, an Australian climber who was left by his team in the “death zone.”

They basically coerced the Nepali government to not allow any climbers past camp two on the Nepali side. “Everest this year became a political pawn,” he said with some frustration.

Visitusa.com humbly presents its list for what we believe are the best beaches in California. Of all the beaches California has to offer, we think these are tops! If you can find better beaches in California, then we’ll eat out hat (metaphorically speaking)!

Malibu Lagoon Beach: A beautiful lagoon beach with 22 acres of wetlands, gardens and sandy beach. It’s considered one of the worlds premiere surfing beaches. On the east side of the Malibu Creek Bridge is the Malibu Pier, which is excellent for saltwater fishing. On the west side is a nature area.

Venice Beach: No trip to Los Angeles would be complete without a trip to this iconic beach. Street performers, artists and “the beautiful people” mingle and stroll all the way to Santa Monica along the famous boardwalk that runs through this inimitable California beach town.

El Capitan Beach: This shady, sandy, Santa Barbara beach features rocky tide pools along El Capitan Creek. It’s perfect for swimming, fishing, surfing, picnicking and camping. A long stairway gives access from the bluffs to beach and a bike trail connects the park with Refugio State Beach.

Ocean Beach: O.B. as the locals call it is a laid-back beach-community know for its surfers and liberal politics. It is an eclectic beach community with a leash free “dog beach”, a fishing pier, swimming, surfing and volleyball. It has separate swimming and surfing zones, which is definitely a good idea.

Rio Del Mar Beach: This long, sandy beach is found in the town of Aptos, California, in Santa Cruz County. It features fire rings and a barbecue and picnic area and is a popular summer beach. It is also the home to the “cement boat” a long stranded freighter ship.

Muir Beach: This beach is less than a half hour drive from San Francisco down scenic Hwy I. It’s one of the most glorious regions of Northern California in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Fishing, surfing and campfires are allowed, and there are many coastal trails above the beach for hikers to explore.

Black Sands Beach at Shelter Cove: This splendid black sand beach is a great place for Whale watching. Located north of the small hamlet of Shelter Cove in a remote region of the “Lost Coast”, it’s the trailhead for the famous King Range hike. This is a day only beach, so campers will have to head for the mountains.

La Jolla’s Beaches: La Jolla means “the jewel,” a fitting name for the precious beaches of La Jolla’s coast. Surfers prefer Windansea beach, harbor seals love the Children’s Pool, La Jolla Shores is popular for swimming and sunbathing, while the Cove is a favorite snorkeling spot.

Drake’s Beach: This vast stretch of white sand can be found at the Point Reyes National Seashore. The areas strong winds and choppy seas make it at little too violent for most swimmers, but sun worshippers will be delighted by the opportunity to work on their tans in a beautiful California outdoor hotspot.

Looking for more information on California Beaches check out visitusa.com your outdoor adventure travel guide

There’s no denying that Madrid is reaching dizzying heights of cool these days. It’s a city that has always been hovering in or around the top ten cities in the world but, in recent years, it’s really stepped into the limelight for a whole host of delectable reasons. It’s a city rammed with passion and life and I dare you to try the cocktail and not get addicted.

I visited there just last year (I stayed at the NH Aravaca Aparthotel Hotel which worked out fine) and had such a wonderful time. My friend was working in a bar right in the hippest district of the city and I spent a few good nights there, either helping out or chilling with some friends. The bar shut quite early by Madrid standards so, after a few inhouse bevvies, we hit the town and there was still plenty of life until dawn.

When not out enjoying the city’s finest bars and clubs, I spent my time wandering around the many medieval sites, the magnificent museums and the markets. There’s plenty on offer for the culturally minded and it’s not too hard to find your way off the beaten track- just follow the locals. The same can be said for the food in Madrid. Avoid anything too chainy or well organised- everyone knows the best tapas is served in the most hectic way possible. Having said that, there are a few special restaurants in the heart of the city, although you’ll want to check you can afford it before you go in. I’ve been stung more than once by a tasty looking menu that hid some extra charges behind the fine food.

They call Hong Kong the ‘City of Life’ because it has always been so vibrant and full of energy. It’s a city that’s both exotic and cosmopolitan making it a perfect destination for first time travelers to Asia. Being a former British colony, there’s enough English signs and people able to speak the language there to make it a user friendly place. At the same time, it’s foreign enough that tourists will definitely feel that they are not on a typical beach vacation. Even after the U.K. gave Hong Kong back to China, this Chinese government designated ‘Special Administrative Region’ has not lost its dynamics. The communist government realizes the importance of Hong Kong as an economic giant and is so far adhering to a two system coexistence for China. ‘Hong Kong’ means ’sweet harbor’ in the Chinese Cantonese dialect which is fitting as there’s so much in the city to stimulate all of the senses.

There are actually two main areas of Hong Kong. One being the Hong Kong island itself and the other being the Kowloon peninsula which is on the mainland across the harbor. The new international airport is yet on another island and transit to the city can be via train, bus or auto. The bridge that connects to Kowloon is the world’s longest road and rail bridge.

Once in the city, one will realize that Hong Kong is a very busy place with people everywhere. It has one of the densest populations as most of the 6.5 million inhabitants live in high-rise buildings due to the lack of land available. In fact, one reason why there seems to be people on the streets during all hours including the evenings is because people there want to take a break from their tiny apartments and get outside for some space. Hotel accommodations are in every budget range on both the Kowloon and Hong Kong island sides. Getting across the harbor is fairly easy. One can take the harbor ferry which actually has different class levels (the higher levels are slightly more expensive but the views are better). There’s also an underground tunnel that taxi cabs can take and like many other major cities around the world, Hong Kong also has an underground subway transit system. This subway also goes underground beneath the harbor connecting the island to Kowloon. There are double decker buses in Kong Kong as well as double decker rail street cars over on the island. One way to see the various commercial districts on the island is to stay on the streetcar for an entire loop which will take riders right across the downtown areas including some of the street markets.

Hong Kong is a contrast of old and new. There are old temples and monasteries scattered throughout. But there is also that gigantic modern skyline of tall skyscrapers that will make most North American cities appear small. There’s even the world’s longest outdoor escalator here. A must do in Hong Kong is to go to the top of the mountain of Victoria Peak on the island either by bus, auto or a special tram they have there to see spectacular views of the entire region. There are also tours of the boat village where a local will take tourists around the bay in one of their boats. One thing that is very interesting to see in Hong Kong is the early morning exercise sessions in some of the local parks. Every morning, there are crowds of locals, many of them seniors, who meet up at the parks to exercise and do tai chi.

With over 9,000 restaurants, dining in Hong Kong is also an exciting experience. There are all types of international cuisine but of course, the Chinese fare is what most visitors come here for. From elegant dining to busy dim sum houses to street stalls, there’s so much variety of food that it’s impossible to sample everything. There are even the large floating restaurants which serve the freshest seafood catches.

Of course, there’s the shopping experience in Hong Kong. Being a duty free port, there are many bargains in Hong Kong especially for textiles and electronics. Hong Kong is famous for its custom tailors who can make up a new suit within a day or two. As for electronics, for some reason Hong Kong always receives the latest models first even before North America does. Browsing through the many outdoor markets for souvenirs is another favorite activity. Be aware that bargaining is common in the markets so it is recommended to get an idea of typical prices from the retail stores first before going for deals at the markets. Kowloon has a few specialty markets worth visiting including the jade market, bird market and flower market. One must be extra careful at the jade market because if the prices are too good to be true, the pieces are probably not real jade. The night market which operates only during evenings is also fun where there are all sorts of merchandise available from clothing to toys to gadgets. There may also be entertainment such as Chinese opera on the streets during the night.

The Po Lin monastery on Lantau Island near the airport has the world’s largest outdoor Buddha. Visitors climb the steps up to the statue and there are some nice views of the scenery up top. Lantau Island can be reached by ferry via local tour companies who will also take tourists to local fishing villages. Hydrofoil crafts can take casino enthusiasts to Macau which has also been returned back to the Chinese government. There are also tours into the New Territories beyond Kowloon to see more secluded temples and countryside farms as well as other shopping opportunities located in nearby Chinese mainland towns.

It’s incredible how much there is to see and do in Hong Kong even within its relatively compact geographical area. There are so much more exotic sights and cuisine there that one simply cannot experience at the usual North American Chinatowns. At the same time, Hong Kong is so easy to get around with its efficient modes of transportation and wide range of services available in English. Tourists will never feel too lost even in a high activity place like Hong Kong.

Clint Leung is owner of Free Spirit Gallery (www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca) , an online gallery specializing in Inuit Eskimo and Northwest Native American art including carvings, sculpture and prints. Free Spirit Gallery has numerous information resource articles with photos of authentic Inuit and Native Indian art as well as free eCards.

When you venture to Orlando, Davenport, or Kissimmee, Florida, why mess with crowded hotels, dirty rooms, and tons of tourists? You are coming to see the theme parks of Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World, not to compete with the many other people who will be visiting the Central Florida area as well. That’ why you need to look into booking a reservation for home town suites! Not only are they comfortable and easy to live in, they are low cost and a luxury to come back to!

Why you should rent them:

1. Home town suites are roomy - Think about stuffing yourself and your kids and your spouse in one or two rooms at a hotel. No fun. Not only is this not practical when it comes to prices because it ends up costing you so much money to rent multiple rooms, but it isn’t practical for your sanity! You need a break from everyone now and then and the room in a town home suite will do just the trick.

2. Home town suites are perfect for holidays - When you want to visit the Orlando area and the theme parks and attractions with your entire family or even friends, it is so convenient to rent town home suites. This is a great deal because you get to be right near each other in the suite resort, but everyone also gets their own space and places to relax in luxury.

3. Home town suites are close to everything - You want to be close to all the theme parks and attractions, but don’t want to be in the midst of tourist mayhem, so a town home suite in Kissimmee, Davenport, or Orlando, Florida is perfect for you and your family! You get the relaxation of being in a home-away-from-home, but the convenience of being a few miles from everything you want to see in the Central Florida area.

What they have to offer:

1. Town home suites offer discounts - Not only will you be getting more for your buck, but you won’t be spending much more than you would be for hotel rooms! Many times you can find the best price for town home suites for less then hotel rooms because of all the discounts, deals, specials, and cheap prices! Don’t hesitate to call last minute, either. Though they can’t promise anything in the busy season of the summer, they still might have suites left to rent for a few weeks and may even offer you a discount on it. More than anything, as k for the lowest price they offer and they should give it to you!

2. Town home suites offer activities - If you don’t want to spend every day at the theme parks and attractions, feel free to stay where you are lodging! This will only be enjoyable, however, if your accommodations offer activities and facilities that town home suites resorts do. They offer their own attractions such as a pool, a kiddie pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, a game room, a work out room, locker rooms, and separate showers, beautiful landscaping, security 24 hours, and friendly check-in service. What more could you want in the Kissimmee, Orlando, or Davenport, Florida areas?

3. Town home suites offer relaxation - After a long and wonderful day at the Walt Disneyworld theme parks, you will be exhausted and ready to relax. Instead of feeling cramped in a small bed and small hotel room, with a town home suite, you will be able to lounge in the living room on a sofa, take a bath or luxury, let the kids watch a movie, or start to cook dinner in the kitchen. This way, you don’t feel overwhelmed of having to entertain your kids at all times and have enough room to relax yourself.

Why they are safe:

1. Home town rentals are safe because of gated security - In most hotels, you don’t get a gated community feel, where cars are checked before they enter and stickers are given to people with reservations at the resort. With home town suites and home town rentals, just like most time share resorts, this is another feature that is offered.

2. Home town rentals are safe because of 24-hour security guards - A gate is not enough to ensure your safety in your home town rental resort. You will be lodging with accommodations that are looking out for your best interest with security guards attentive and around at all hours of the night and day. This aspect of the home town rental resort should make you feel better about your family’s safety and security. Deals such as this are what make these resorts stand out from the others located in the Kissimmee, Davenport, and Orlando, Florida areas.

3. Home town rentals are safe because of maintenance help - If something happens in or around your home town rental that has to do with the electricity, water, or plumbing, you will need someone there right away. Your home town rental resort provides this security service to you as well. This assurance that there is someone there to fix a leaky toilet, damaged window, or broken stove will make your family vacation to the Orlando area that much better.

Why they are fun:

1. Town home rentals create family bonding - If you get too much of each other, then the family vacation with the kids always at your feet will be exhausting and not relaxing. But everyone has their own space and time to spend by themselves, the vacation takes on a new feel. Town home rentals not only allow for this extra space, they allow for the time after the space and time alone is taken. A living room waits with a sofa and chairs and a TV to enjoy a special TV show or a rented movie. The kitchen is included so meals can be cooked together and special dinners and desserts can be made chosen by different members of the family. There are a number of rooms so that the kids can have fun being in a room by themselves, but are close enough to mom and dad so they don’t feel scared. Town home rentals are intimate, yet spacious for your kids and family.

2. Town home rentals give you a break - Sure, the main reason you are coming to the Central Florida area is to visit Walt Disney World. But one or two days in between the theme parks and attractions are nice times to take a break and just relax. Town home rental resorts allow this to be done easily. Though they are near the theme parks and close to all the tourist attractions, you also feel removed by the landscape and resort feel. The pool is available for the kids, chairs are available for the adults, and sports are available for teenagers.

3. Town home rentals let you live in another house - It’s not as much fun to only take over a hotel room as it is to take over an entire house for a week. The kids will love setting up their temporary room or rooms and being able to completely unpack will make things less stressful for everyone. You feel as though this really is your little house and might even want to claim it for next year when you come back to the Orlando area to visit again.

http://www.islandhideaway.net
Art McCarty
Orlando florida lodging expert

The Kuan Yu Shrine is dedicated to the ancient Chinese god of
war, a legacy of the early Chinese immigrants who settled in the
village of Bangkok during the Ayutthaya era.

Located on the Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya, the shrine is
just behind the Princess Mother Memorial Park, near the twin
Memorial and Phra Pok Klao Bridges. From a comparison with old
pictures, it’s apparent that the old shrine has been completely
renovated.

The present Kuan Yu Shrine is in an octagonal pavilion under a
pagoda roof with a praetorian guard of dragons, the symbol of
the emperor, strength and wisdom. Dragons glide down the roof,
coil round the pillars within the shrine and the ornamental
lamppost outside.

Kuan Yu, an ancient Chinese general in the 2nd and 3rd
centuries, played a pivotal role in the civil wars among the
warring kingdoms of China. The best-known general in Chinese
history, he is immortalized in the Chinese classic Romance of
the Three Kingdoms, an epic tale spanning 113 years and 120
chapters!

Set in a tumultuous period in Chinese history (168 - 280 AD),
the tale covers the disintegration of the empire, the rise and
fall of dynasties, constant wars before final reunification.

Renowned for his courage, integrity, loyalty and righteousness,
Kuan Yu was elevated to a deity after his death and the Kuan Yu
Shrine became an institution in Chinese culture.

Owing to his military prowess, he is popularly known in the West
as the God of War or the Warrior God. With his flowing black
beard, the red-faced Kuan Yu, brandishing a deadly kuan tao, is
a fearsome figure.

The kuan tao, a broad sword at the end of a long shaft, is
similar to the medieval halberd, which has an axe and a pike
instead.

However the Chinese worship him for his other virtues. For his
loyalty, integrity and sense of justice for the common man, he
is the God of Righteousness. For his financial acumen, merchants
and traders worship him as the God of Commerce and Wealth.

For the ethnic Chinese in Bangkok, Kuan Yu has been their
protector as they went about their daily lives for generations.
As one of the five Tiger Generals in the Three Kingdoms, he is
known in Thai as Jao Pho Seua, or the Tiger Guardian Spirit.

The little courtyard leading to the Kuan Yu Shrine has a
traditional Thai spirit house near the entrance and a little
Chinese pagoda at the far end. A group of old men sit around a
table at the side chatting in their native Teo Chiew, a southern
Chinese dialect.

In this harmonious blend of culture, the warrior god in the Kuan
Yu Shrine stands sentinel on the Chao Phraya River, the guardian
spirit of the common man.

The Kuan Yu Shrine is one of the numerous Bangkok Shrines in the city.

Husbands can be hard to shop for, especially the ones who say they want nothing. My dad always did that. I always found that really confusing. Do you listen to him or get him something anyway?

Here are a few suggestions on what to get and what to avoid.

The Law of Nothing - When men say they do not want anything for Christmas, because they don’t need anything, do not believe it. It’s just something to say because…well, I really do not know why we say it. The point is that we do not mean it so do not believe it.

The Law of P & Q - One of the greatest gifts you can give your man is an afternoon or even a day of peace and quiet. No demands, no have to’s, watch sports and nap.

The Law of B & D - Just as a husband should never get his wife a gift with Black and Decker on it, a wife can always get her husband something with Black and Decker on it.

The Law of HD - Want to get the perfect gift for most men, get him a gift certificate to Home Depot, and uninterrupted time to look for the perfect thing to get.

The Law of Cheesy Ties - Even though we will where it anyway, we would really appreciate it if you did not help the kids get us cheesy pieces of clothing.

Visit The Article Guy for more leading edge tips and tools for writing articles that bring you prospects, publicity and profits. You can also subscribe to our monthly Article Writing & Marketing Tips Newsletter. You are also invited to visit my Express-Start Article Writing Program for more information on the next article writing tele-seminar.

Gatlinburg cabin rental options range from old-fashioned rustic “log cabins” to cottages, Swiss-style Chalets, and upscale condominiums full of luxurious modern amenities. In addition, hotel and motel rooms are also available for rent in Gatlinburg, a favorite cabin rental destination located in eastern Tennessee. Gatlinburg boasts instant access to beautiful scenery, outdoor activities, shopping, and dining.

While many modern cabins have sprouted up, there are still cabins in Gatlinburg that date back more than two centuries. Founded in the 1800s as White Oaks and later renamed Gatlinburg, the charming town began attracting recreational visitors with the opening of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1934. In the past few decades Gatlinburg has developed into a top-notch vacation spot that welcomes visitors year-round.

In renting your Gatlinburg cabin, you have the choice of a private tucked-away cabin or a more community-centered vacation. Some resort communities feature swimming pool, clubhouses, meeting rooms as well as central patios. Cabins located within such communities are spaced apart to ensure maximum privacy and peacefulness.

Many different types of lodging plans are available: single and double occupancies, family-oriented vacations, corporate rentals, and exclusive wedding and honeymoon packages. Gatlinburg cabin rentals with one bedroom are typically priced from $110 to 150 per night. Two bedroom cabins are typically priced from $120 to $170 per night. Larger family packages, such as three and four bedroom cabins tend to range from $130 through $250 per night, and wedding and honeymoon packages can range anywhere from $250 to over $1,000 for an entire stay.

Gatlinburg cabin rental prices also rise and fall depending on peak or off-peak status. Peak season in Gatlinburg is from January through May, and also includes the months of September, November and December. Off-peak season stretches from June thru August, October, and Major Holiday Periods. In addition, various cabin rental packages often include a free third night and/or discounts to local attractions, such as Dollywood, the Dolly Parton theme park in neighboring Pigeon Forge.

Several cabin rental companies display rates online and can be contacted directly to make reservations.

Gatlinburg Cabins Info provides information on Gatlinburg cabins, Gatlinburg cabin rentals, properties for sale, weddings and related topics. Gatlinburg Cabins Info is the sister site of Pigeon Forge Cabins Web.

Summertime is the time when folks want to take to the wilderness. If you are planning a hiking trip into the mountainous areas there are special considerations. One of these is making sure that you are physically fit enough to undertake this sort of trip.

Occasionally travelers who are not accustomed to higher altitudes can experience Altitude Sickness. Another term for this is Mountain Sickness or hypoxia. When you travel in the mountains, you need to be aware that your body needs to work harder to maintain the normal ratios of oxygen in the bloodstream because the air pressure is 30% lower at the higher altitude due to the fact that the atmosphere is less dense. If you are not accustomed to these elevations or have not accustomed your body by gradually acclimating yourself, the results can be serious. Thus it is a good idea to attempt your hiking or climbing trip after you have already spent a day or two in the mountains at a base camp or in the cities, in a relatively restful atmosphere.

Symptoms of altitude sickness begin with fatigue, loss of appetite, sleeplessness and progress to weakness, headache, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. After a few days at higher elevations, the headaches may progress to memory lapses, ringing in the ears, and difficulty in balance and walking. If early symptoms are recognized and treated, the progression of the sickness may not continue any further. Treatment includes rest, fluid ingestion, and pain meds for the headaches. Sleeping pills may make the problem worse and should be avoided. The important of “hydration” or water intake can not be emphasized enough. Drinking plenty of fluids helps to ease most of the symptoms quickly. Getting plenty of rest also is important in any situation when the body is stressed .

The milder form of oxygen deprivation is known as hypoxia, the more severe and life threatening condition is known as pulmonary oedema and /or cerebral oedema. Both of these latter conditions are unusual, yet may become a cause for concern for elderly people with weaker hearts or heart conditions, where the flow of oxygen to the bloodstream is already impaired. This condition can also exist with mountain climbers who have not acclimated their bodies gradually to higher elevations and treatment must be taken immediately. Symptoms include coughing bloody mucous, weakness, shortness of breath, cyanosis, and rapid heat and breathing rates, impaired judgment and even coma. The victim must be evacuated immediately to lower elevations below 5000 feet.

Most of the time these conditions are quite unusual in an ordinary travel situation but if you are planning on doing rock climbing or mountain climbing it is important that you are in good physical health to begin with.

Another important consideration when traveling in wilderness mountain areas is good planning. When you are going into wilderness areas, do not leave an area without alerting someone of where you are going and when you expect to return. Do not wander off willy nilly without taking with you enough supplies to last you at least 48 hours. Even if you are not planning on camping overnight on your hike, emergencies can occur and it is wise to be prepared. Carrying a well equipped backpack is a must. A pack should include basic first aid essentials, energy bars or similar in the way of food, extra clothing and a tarp or emergency thermal blanket, and waterproof matches. Water is most essential and is also the heaviest thing to carry. Two litre bottles are the minimum, and you should obtain water purifying tablets and pack these along with you so that you can purify water from a stream or river if you need to.

Also do not forget the importance of these three words: NEVER TRAVEL ALONE. The buddy system is a must when traveling in the wilderness.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Safety