Sleeping at Altitude

For he past two nights I have not slept well.  Two nights ago my sinuses were stuffed and I didn't want to breath exclusively by my mouth.  I was afraid I'd wake with a sore throat so sleep was fitful.  Last night I was beginning to reconsider my choice to drop taking Diamox.  I found I developed a low level headache and some anxiety.  The headache seems to have been cured with Motrin.  The anxiety was a new thing for me.  I found myself feeling somewhat trapped in my mummy bag.  Or perhaps not trapped as much as constricted.  Part of that is likey my own doing.  I had two Nalgege bottles full f hot water in my ba to ore-warm it.  The result though was I felt a bit strangled.  So it was another fitful night of sleep. 

I am not going to resume Diamox yet.  So far poor sleep and my minor headache have been my only symptoms of AMS.  Let's see what tody brings as  head to Lobucheand higher elevations.

The Daimox Delima

Diamox is supposed to lessen the effects of altitude.  I started taking it a few days ago because I figured it couldn' hurt to have every available edge.  As of this morning I have changed my mind.  One of the other members of our party mentiooned that Diamox can casue loose stools.  I thought, gee perhaps it wasn't the wather I used to brush my teeth after all that caused that.  Then I decided to check all the side effects.  We were told by our guides it increases urination.  Looking it up I found out why.  Not sure how I missed it but Diamox is a diaretic.  That explains having to get up multiple times to pee last night.  The deciding factor though is that it causes tinnitus.  Crap, I already have that thanke to the USAF F16's at Bagram.  OK no more of that stuff.  We ae acclimating very slowly, only hiking a few miles a day, a few rest dys thrown in.  I shall be fine and to hell with Diamox! 

The Trek Above Namche Bazzar

Today we began hiking the marathon route.  It wasn't all that far in distance, 6 or 7 miles perhaps.  There was a pretty good uphill section and we are now solidly above 11,000 ft.  So the air is much thinner than most are used to.  I seem to be getting called a mountain goat quite a lot.  I had to ask if it was because I hike very well or perhaps because I am not bathing regularly.  Hopefully the first.... or perhaps both!

We visited a monestery at Tengboche.  I was wondering if it was the same one Batman trined at and then I remembered that one burned down.  So probably not.  The monestery will serve as a refuge of sorts for anyone who is still running at a certain point, I don't know what time, 8 hrs?  Anyway those who have not passed the monestery by the chosen time will suspend their run there for the night.  This is to keep them from running in the dark and possibly becoming lost or injured.  The following morning they will continue on. 

So you may be wondering what kind of silly people sign up to run 26.2 mies starting at the mother of the world.  There are something like 200 runners.  a good portion are Nepali.  As for those in the small group I am trekking with they are American, French, Swedish, Pole, Thai, Canadian, Finn and Estonion and it's possible I missed a few.  And this is a group of about 18.  Of the Americans  of us are either current or prior military.  One of the French is a very talented marathon  runner.  One of the Poles in another group is in the global top 20 marathon runners.  One couple is on their honeymoon.  Two in the Marine Corps were looking for the craziest race they could find.  The Thai is the first from his country to run in this race and is live streaming updates to Thai TV.  Basically all kinds of people run this race. 

PLEASE NOTE:
Should any of my friends feel envious of me doing this, please let me know.  I am thinking of doing it again next year or perhaps the year after.  So if you think this sounds like the kind of crazy you might like to try i'd love some familiar company!

TREKKING NOTE: 
The higher you get the more expensive goods and services become.  Internet in Namche Bazzar was $5 and a roll of toilet paper was $2.50.  Here at Deboche the net costs $6 and a roll of TP is $5. 

Cafe Daphne: the Coolest Bar in Nepal

MiA post amazingly similar to this may magically appear soon.  It can be a challenge blogging from the Himalayas.  I don' know if it's the connectivity, my Lenovo tablet or Green Tara blocking the signal.  So it goes.

So the title of this post is about a bar in Nepal.  I have been in many, many Asian bars in my life.  The Cafe Dauphine is a new favorite of mine.  The owner is a very close friend of our guide, Ricky.  It seems to be the favorite hangout of Everest Marathon runners.  I met an amazing Scotsman there the other night who is running for charity the day before we run the marathon.  He will be running an ultra-marathon from Everest Base Camp to Kathmandu!  about 3/4 of that will be an unsupported run.  I am truly impressed.  It was interesting talking to him about the race and runners.  There are two Poles and a Frenchman who are hoping to chack into the top 3.  Up to/ this point Nepalis have owned the top 3 spots.  So it is going to be an interesting start.  Beginning on the Khumbu glacier the start is a jumble os ice and rock. 

Trekking tips:
So far I feel like I was not ell enough informed about the trekking.  My own fault.  I just missed out on the beta.  So for anyone thinking about this in the future here are a few notes: Don't worry about any snacks unless you are running the marathon.  Then only have them for the run.  There are ample tea houses to gab snacks and meals.  Almost nothing is free.  Internet in the lodge here in Namche Bazzar is $5 for your stay.  Showers are $3 to $4.  Charging batteries is about $2.50 ea.  Rooms have no outlets to charge your electronics.  A solar cell is a reasonable investment.  Just make sure it can handle the items you want to charge.  Toilet paper is not provided.  Carry enough at all times.  You can buy it here for $2.50/roll.           

Today was a rest day.  We are taking our time getting to base camp to ensure people are acclimated.  So today being a rest day we hiked several kilometers and had a practice run back to the race finnish line.  During today's hike we saw Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. 

I walked back to the finish line rather quickly, rather than running it.  Afterward we were free so I hiked up to the ridge above town and explored bit.  Tomorrow we continue the trek.