Trekking Preparations

Trekking Preparations Made Within Reach at Quiapo

All the personal preparations one needs for an expedition trek to the Himalayas are all in the vicinity of Quiapo.

Upon the advice of Dr. Jodell Coates, consult with Sports Medicine Doctor, Dr. Edmund Martinez at the Hospital of the Holy Infant Jesus at Laong Laan st. near the corner of A. Lacson Ave presenting the results of laboratory requirements* for an indication of a trekker's state of health.

Most of the laboratory testings can be secured from the nearby hospitals (St. Jude, UST, DOH, Infant Jesus). But I discovered some laboratories at Rizal Avenue fronting the DOH in San Lazaro that can process your requirements in half a day, in time for presentation to the Sports Doctor at 11 AM-2 PM at his Laong Laan clinic. Make sure you bring your specimens taken after a 10-hour fasting.

Chest xray is at P 140, CBC is P 90, routinary blood, urine and fecal analysis for P 770. Sexually related screenings are at P 740. At the Avenue Medical Lab at 1728 Rizal Avenue, this is estimated at P 1,500. Stress and advanced pulmonary tests available at the St. Jude Hospital will cost an additional P 3,000. Dr. Martinez charges a nominal consultation fee of P 400. He takes a particular look at the borderline blood reading values and bones.

What we dread in alpine climb is the prevention of the Acute Mountain Sickness symptoms which occurs to un-acclimatized people who ascend to altitudes greater than 2,500 meters. The sandy basin of Gorak Shep Everest Base Camp is at 5,160m (16,929ft ASL). The prescribed antidote is Gingko Biloba at 24% flavonoids and 6% terpenoids. The Health Express at the SMC City San Lazaro is selling it at a promo of P 5.33 per capsule of 30mg. Petroleum Jelly, for the prevention of dryness can be purchased at any nearby drugstore.

First aid requirements such as triangular bandage, elastic bandage, sterilized gauze pads can be purchased for less than P 150 at the medical supplies at Rizal Avenue.

Your protection against the blinding whites of the snow and the sun is a rated UV sunglasses which you can purchase at Pedro Paterno st. With treated and graded lens, add P 850 to your P 1,500 frame.

Thermals are available at 168 Mall at Soler st. Undershirt and pants are sold at P 450-750 per set. For the outer garments, there are ukay-ukay all around in case you can live with them.

Document the awesome Himalayas with either a digital or a film camera available along R. Hidalgo st. Supplement your digital camera with a spare lion batttery pack (less than a thousand for branded Nikon) and an extra gigabyte of compact flash (P 800 for a gig).

Viewing the chronicle of Michael Palen of BBC entitled Himalaya that spans over 2,000 mile length of the mountain range for 6 months that started in Pakistan/Agfhan mid May 2003 ending in Bhutan in April 2004 gives you an advanced feel of the expedition. Particularly interesting is the trek from Annapurma to the Everest Base Camp. This BBC documentary titled Michale Palin Pole to Pole is spotted at Arlegui St. Complement the video with a reading of Abner Mercado's "Sa Bubungan ng Mundo" available for P 150 at the National Book Store (Recto or Avenida). The Lonely Planet's Nepal and Tibet makes a hand reference but for a stiff cost of P 1,500.

As Michael Palin says in his documentary, Himalayas is the natural way to get high, especially if it opens our eyes to the epic and the magnificent land, to experience not only the demanding physical travel but also a spiritually satisfying journey.

Lastly, after all the preparations have been made, do not forget to pray for guidance and thanksgiving at the Quiapo Church.

This alpine trek is made within reach to us because of Quiapo.
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*Physical preparation and capability based on health conditions as indicated by the medical tests recommended by Expedition Physician Nepal Dr. Jodell Coates covering a.) pulmonary b.) stress c.) liver, kidney and blood condition and d.) absence of sexually related viruses

**Personal First Aid Kit

1. Triangular bandage (2 or 3)
2. Elastic bandage 3-inch width (2)
3. Sterilized gauze pad 20 pads.
4. Anti histamine also for possible allergies. Get Cetirizine (virlix) 10 mg/ tab kahit 5 pcs lang.

Gear
Technical cap/headgear, lightweight boots, long-sleeved trekking shirt, sports pants, technical socks (3 pairs), open sandals, trekking shirts, quick dry underwear and undershirt (2 sets), sunglasses , long sleeves technical all weather t-shirt (2 sets), trekking poles (1 pair), umbrella, lots of zip lock bags

Heavy-weight wool socks (2 pairs), liner gloves, liner socks, mid weight gloves, neck gaiter

Down pants, down parka, face mask, gaiters, heavyweight gloves, insulated booties, insulated mittens, waterproof / breathable jacket, waterproof / breathable pants or bibs, wind shell, pee bottle, rated sleeping bag

Gears can be purchased at Katmandu

Foto lifted from Cesar Banares foto site http://buangayam.multiply.com/photos/album/61/Mt._Everest#