A Case Of Trek Fever On Har Ki Dun Trek

The Har Ki Dun Trek in Uttarakhand is a challenging but magnificent trek through the breathtaking Himalayan region. It is a great pleasure to share the narrative of Manvinder Saini, a seasoned Outdoor leader, and his expertise in leading trekkers on this 6 to 8-day trek.

This episode is available on Trailpod by Trailaider Podcast in Hindi on Spotify

Read this blog to explore his challenges and experiences along the journey. Also, learn how crucial it is to stay cautious and safe while trekking at high altitudes.

The Har Ki Dun Trek

The Har Ki Dun Trek, with an altitude of around 11800 ft, is located in the Sanken area of Uttarkashi district in the Gharwal region of the Himalayas.

The trek leader, Manvinder, starts each trek by taking two readings from the pulse oxymeters of each trekker. This gives an idea of their pulse rate and oxygen saturation levels in the blood and how much it is at the ground level and after coming to the base camp Sankri. He used to have a guide and the one who used to take everyone along on the trail.

During the trek, Manvinder encountered a lady who appeared to be perfectly fine in the beginning. Her readings also came out normal; she claimed to have had a short trek experience.

He was observing this lady. On the first day, she did well and was very well active. She also participated in team-building activities, and her energy level was considerably good.

However, as the second day arrived and the height of the trek started increasing, she started coming on the trail and lagging behind step by step. Despite his repeated inquiries, the lady insisted that she was fine. By the third day of the trek, she was at the last of the group.

The woman’s energy levels started decreasing during the six-day trek, and she lagged behind the rest of the group. It became challenging for her to keep up with the others.

Starting from the fourth day, she began exhibiting symptoms, including loss of consciousness and providing incorrect responses when questioned. Her condition was getting worse with each passing day.

After the fourth day, she started feeling weak. She couldn’t walk for a longer time. She used to sit after every five to ten minutes. So he focused on this particular lady. She had stopped eating and drinking. Therefore, she started getting tired easily. Her trekking time had reduced drastically, from 5-10 minutes to 2-3 minutes earlier.

She had started having a fever on day 5, which was alarming for them. When she got a 100-degree temperature, she started taking support from her colleague to continue the trek. Furthermore, she could not enjoy or pay attention to any of the information or stories he and his guide shared with the rest of the trekkers. It was snowing then, and her fever had risen to 104.

So instead of waiting for the next day, he kept her awake that night. He gave her boiled lentils and hot water repetitively. He made her consume a bowl of pulses every one to two hours to maintain her energy and body heat. As a responsible trek leader, he realized she suffered from mountain sickness. He also alerted his team and arranged to send the lady down immediately.

He first asked that Porter bring two people from below to clear the path. They used to have a walkie-talkie for wireless communication. So, as soon as connectivity was available at the base camp, they told them about an emergency. This particular trekker has to be dropped off as soon as possible. Somehow she reached down, and they took her to the nearest primary hospital from their base camp, i.e., Sankri. The lady’s situation improved after she received medical attention.

This experience highlights the importance of knowing your body signals and not pushing yourself beyond your limits. In high altitudes, staying hydrated and nourished, maintaining a steady pace, and being aware of any signs of mountain sickness are crucial to staying safe during the trek.

Conclusion

Considering everything, it’s essential to remember that safety always comes first for trekkers. I hope that Manvinder’s experience on the Har Ki Dun Trek and the story would have motivated you always to be cautious and enjoy your journey safely.