I'M SICK WITH... CAN I GO TO THE HIGH MOUNTAINS?

The mountains are reserved for young people... at heart. Unfortunately, spiritual youth does not always go hand in hand with physical youth and health. If your life requires constant medication and regular check-ups with a specialist doctor, it is not a reason to give up mountain trips.

Below you will find a list of key tasks to complete before going to high mountains.

VISIT TO THE DOCTOR

It is best to visit a doctor six months before the trip to assess the risks associated with your condition during your stay at high altitude. If possible, consult a specialist in high-altitude medicine – this procedure is called a pre-trip consultation.

EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN

Prepare a plan of action in case your health deteriorates during the trip. The plan should take into account the capabilities of local medical services and possible rescue procedures.

MEDICAL INSURANCE

Make sure you have insurance that covers treatment for exacerbations of your condition. Without appropriate financial protection, the risk of sudden medical intervention costs in the mountains can be very high.

EXPEDITION FIRST AID KIT AND MEDICATION

Prepare an expedition first aid kit containing all the medications you take regularly. It's a good idea to bring double the amount of medication, divided into several parts, and store them in different places – in your backpack, but also with the leader, doctor, or climbing partner.

INFORMING THE ORGANIZER AND THE GROUP

Your health during the trip is no longer a private matter. Inform the organizer and the leader of the trip about your condition so that others know what symptoms to expect and how to help you. It is advisable to have a laminated card in the first aid kit with instructions on how to take your medications, so that you can quickly relay this information to the group if necessary.

Remember that a deterioration in health under difficult conditions can threaten not only you but also other participants in the trip.

TRAINING YOUR COMPANIONS

Train your friends in the group on how they can help you when symptoms of your condition appear. Clear instructions increase the safety of the entire group.

HEALTH INFORMATION CARD

Obtain a health information card from your doctor, preferably translated into English. Keep it in an easily accessible place, such as with your other expedition documents.

MONITORING YOUR HEALTH DURING THE TRIP

During the trek, carefully monitor your body and record the medications you take. If your health deteriorates:

➤ immediately inform the trip leader,

➤ do not hide problems,

➤ stop climbing until the concerning symptoms subside.

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WANT TO LEARNMORE?

If you want to better prepare yourself health-wise for trekking or a high-altitude expedition, you can find an extended version of the guide in the ebook"High Altitude Medicine in Practice – A Guide for Trekking and Expeditions" >>

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You can also learn practical knowledge about how to deal with emergencies in the mountains in the online training"High Altitude First Aid" >>- designed for people planning trips to high altitudes.

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Detailed content of the expedition first aid kit and exact instructions for preparing an expedition first aid kit and personal rescue kit can be found in the ebook"Expedition First Aid Kit – A Complete Medical Guide" >>

PLANNINGA TREKORA HIGH-ALTITUDE EXPEDITION?

If you want to check whether your health allows you to safely participate in a trek or high-altitude expedition, it is worth usinga medical consultation >> ora telemedical expedition package >>

This way, you can assess health risks in advance, prepare properly for the trip, and increase safety while at high altitude.

07 March 2026

The company was established in 2004. The goal of MedEverest is education in the field of mountain medicine and the dangers of high altitudes. I deal with all medical aspects of staying at high altitude. I organize medical support for trekking and high-altitude expeditions.

Specialist Medical Practice Medeverest Robert Szymczak based in Gdańsk (80-360), at ul. Bolesława Krzywoustego 19F, NIP: 5841943576, REGON: 220148318.

Also checkStore regulations >> Implementation: ColinMedia.eu >>