Dealing With Smells On Everest: Tiger Balm or Vicks? High Altitude Flatus Explosion

Much has been written and said about the conditions on Everest.  Trash has been accumulating around base camp, discarded empty oxygen bottles, food packaging, lost and abandoned gear, etc. There is also a lack of an efficient waste management system.

In other words, many trekkers and climbers cannot soak in the unbelievable views around them since they need to plant each step with great accuracy to avoid squishy explosions of scent.  Whether yak/hybrid or human faeces, rotting food,  the idea of cleaning up boots or trouser bottoms is so repulsive that the views are literally lost on many people...

Much also has been written about the deplorable, unsanitary conditions of the toilets.  The disgusting state rises exponentially each successive visit up the mountain. One can only imagine the stench that accompanies such "comfort" facilities. Apparently, you need to be extremely agile and flexible to be able to manoeuvre with surgical precision around the leftovers of inconsiderate people.

So how best to deal with these problems?  A few things for the packing list.

1. Wipes.

The more and merrier.  When I went to cross the desert in Jordan from the Dead Sea to Petra, I was the source of much amusement due to the volume of wipes in my luggage.  In the end, people used them.  I will not be holding back this time.  That's why I have 2 porters. Wipe, wipe, wipe your hands and all else continuously with disinfectant wipes. You'll avoid a stomach bug and thus going to the toilets too frequently.










2. Tigel Balm or Vicks Vapour Rub. (see photo on top page)

 I have a good friend Evelyn, who recalled that when she was going to Base Camp via the Tibetan route, the smells being so repulsive that in her desperation she twisted tissues, dipped them into toothpaste, and pushed them up her nostrils.  To deal with such a malodorous situation, I think the use of either the Vicks and/or the Tiger Balm might be the answer. Also, it will help in the chafing skin under the nostrils that results from too much nose blowing/nose dripping in altitude.  Plus the inside of your nose gets sunburnt so it will keep it moisturised, as well.

3.  Ciproflaxin.

A very strong antibiotic just in case you experience very bad stomach problems. And people say it is going to happen!

4. Avoidance of dodgy food/use power gels.

They say, when in Nepal eat like a Roman. So pizza is probably a good idea since it's very hard for germs to survive the extreme heat of a pizza oven. I am sure yak cheese pizza cannot be a bad thing. Also, if you need to fuel it might be best to have power gels. They don't freeze as badly as some candy bars and power bars.  Best to avoid chipping a tooth as well, en route, and have a nasty toothache.

5. Onion in socks.

This home made remedy may or may not be true for flu symptoms and removing toxins.  However, if you are in a dormitory with several people who have only brought two pairs of socks to last a month, the onion scent will be a welcome one!

6. High altitude flatus explosion. 

It is well known that flatulence accompanies rigorous trekking. This syndrome is associated with ascent and is characterised by the frequency and volume of the passage of flatus, which spontaneously occurs when ascending over 6,000 feet. The lower air pressure allows the gas in your intestines to expand until it needs to escape! Hopefully without much sound!! Again an issue in the dormitory conditions in the tea houses that populate the route up Everest and proves definitely that love matches are not found in the mountain. Not this one anyway.

7. She Wee

A contraption that allows women to wee like a man.  Quite a useful device if surrounded by hordes of trekkers/climbers, a good way to avoid toilets, and not a bad idea in sub zero temperatures and butt freeze. Of course, practice makes perfect so where should I go in the Alps to practice?

More on the packing list this coming week......