Gorilla Treking Uganda Altitude Sickness

[byblyk]

I was in Uganda gorilla trekking between 2500 and 2800 meters and was forced to turn back. I was very light headed, extremely sluggish and was going through 1L of water every 30 minutes. I pulled the plug on the hike when i started to get dizzy and had to take a knee on a very narrow path with a drop off. I live at about 500ft and have never really been about 1000ft of elevation. I'm young- 28, not the model of fitness but at 6'3" and 170 I’m not grossly out of shape either.

I just wondered if anybody else has had or seen such adverse reaction at mediocre altitudes before.

[markmol]

hi
anything over 2500 meters is classed as high altitude, with the gorilla trek you don't get a chance to acclimatize, i know that Lake Bunyonyi is at 2000 meters but when i did the trek we arrived in the afternoon & went on the trek the next morning. it is usually recommended to spend a couple of days at altitude before going on a trek. with the Inca trail you spend a couple of days in Cuzco & a day in the sacred valley to get use to the altitude. i also took Diamox tablets when i did the Inca trail, when i did the gorilla trek i didn't take medication & had no problems except being short of breath due to lack of fitness. Unfortunately it seems it doesn't matter what shape you are in if you are going to get sick you will.