This was my first night at this altitude, and I was really struggling. The landscape and sky was incredibly beautiful, but I was unable to fully enjoy it due to intense headache and sometimes the feeling of insufficient air. As I was not fully adjusted I had to take two breaths of air instead of one, to get enough oxygen.
When I look at the photos now I only see beauty, but this night was very unpleasant – I was only able to sleep 2 hours at a time, as I had to get up to breathe consciously to control the oxygen intake.
I stayed here 3 nights, and it took me 2 to adjust, and apparently I was adjusting very quickly. Beforehand it’s impossible to know how the body will react to this altitude, and even the fittest can be completely immobilized, and even die. My Bolivian guide told med that when he returned after a 6 month stay in the Bolivian lowlands he was sick for one week! And he is from the Altiplano!
Altitude: 4276.
Last updated on 6 July 2014
