Tue, Dec 17, 2024 page3

• Yushan park officials urge hikers to be more cautious

  • By Chang Hsieh-sheng and Esme Yeh / Staff reporter, with staff writer
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  Nine incidents, such as altitude sickness, have occurred on Yushan (Jade Mountain, 玉山) in the first half of this month, the Yushan National Park Headquarters said on Sunday, prompting it to issue advice and cautions.

  Most areas of the park are at an altitude of 2,500m or higher where temperatures are close to 0°C or below 0°C in the evening due to a recent cold air mass, the headquarters said.

  Hikers are advised to adapt their bodies to the high-altitude environment and to do warm-up exercises before the hike, it said.

  

  Climbers hike a trail on Yushan in an undated photograph.

  Photo courtesy of Yushan National Park Headquarters

  As the weather changes fast in the mountains, the headquarters recommended that hikers follow the three-layered principle of dressing — breathable and sweat-wicking underwear as the base layer, warm clothing for the middle layer and a waterproof, wind-resistant jacket for the outer layer.

  Hikers dressed in three layers while setting out in the early morning can take off the outer or middle layers as they sweat during the hike to prevent the base layer from getting wet, it said.

  However, they should put the middle or outer layers on again while walking under the shade of trees or taking a long rest, as chilly winds can cause altitude sickness, the headquarters said.

  People with the three highs — high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol — should be careful due to their health conditions and stay warm, as low temperatures could cause vasoconstriction, it said, adding that they should undergo health checks before going on the hike.

  Separately, the Nantou County Cian Shan Social Welfare Charitable Foundation on Saturday donated portable altitude chambers (PACs) to the park, which can be used to help relieve symptoms of high-altitude sickness.

  Altitude sickness occurs when people move too quickly from low-lying areas to places that are 2,500m or higher above sea level, where oxygen levels in the atmosphere are lower, the headquarters said.

  Common symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness and loss of balance, which could turn into life-threatening conditions such as high-altitude cerebral edema or high-altitude pulmonary edema if the person does not descend and seek proper treatment, it said.

  A safe and effective way to alleviate altitude sickness is to put the affected person in a PAC and then move them to an altitude that is lower than 2,000m, the headquarters said.

  The PAC works by increasing pressure inside the chamber by inflating it from outside, it said.

  Boosting air pressure simulates descent, so oxygen levels would rise again and the person would feel better, it added.

  The PACs are stored in a red or blue container at 18 locations in the park, including Paiyun Lodge (排雲山莊), Guangao Lodge (觀高山屋, under construction) and other mountain cabins, it said.

  They also come with an instruction manual, it added.

  Hikers are encouraged to learn how to use the PAC by taking courses at hiking clubs or rescue organizations to equip themselves with the skills to help people with altitude sickness, the headquarters said.
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