On a recent trip a member of the party I was with suffered from High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema which developed overnight at Lobuche (4900 metres). I feel that the subsequent speedy evacuation, which no doubt saved his life, is another good reason why it is sensible to use a Nepalese agency rather than to trek alone.
The victim was carried down towards Pheriche by our porters whilst our sirdar contacted the agent in Kathmandu. Our agent immediately contacted our insurers, and guaranteed payment pending insurance claims, and a helicopter was speedily dispatched. The victim was picked up above Dughla, flown directly to Kathmandu, and after a week in hospital there is now fully recovered. We are in little doubt that without this prompt and effective back-up the outcome could have been very serious.
I doubt if such a rescue could have been organised by a lone trekker, or someone using an independent guide.
I post this simply to warn potential trekkers !
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