RINJANI KITA FOR MOUNT RINJANI

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and its severe variant, High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), are sometime you will find in Mount Rinjani.

On this page we have provide an overview on the proses of acclimatization of Rinjani, you might experience on your trek.

Acclimatization Introduction

Acclimatization is the process by which body becomes accustomed to lower availability of oxygen in the air and can only be achievable by spending time at various levels of altitude before progressing higher.

Oxygen air Density and altitude

Acclimatization is best understood by looking at the relationship between oxygen in the air, air density and altitude changes.

At the sea levels oxygen accounts for about 21% of air and barometric pressure is around 760 mm Hg (Millimeter of mercury). As one climb in altitude the amount of oxygen in the air remains about the same (up to approximately 21,000 meters or 69,000 feet), however, air density drops and thus pressure is put on packing oxygen molecule closer together.

For example, at about 3.600 meters (12.000 feet), barometric pressure is around 480 mm Hg. With less air density, oxygen molecule are more widely dispersed in any given column on air and hence less oxygen is available per breath.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) also knows as altitude sickness and altitude illness is a pathological effect on human causes by going to high altitudes too fast, where lower levels in oxygen inhibit normal physiological processes. People typically stars experience Acute Mountain Sickness symptoms at about 10.000 feet (3.000 meters). Some people can experience symptoms as low as 8.000 feet (just over 2.400 meters

Mild Symptoms These include:

If you suffer any of the symptoms above it is important to communicate to your guide how are you feeling. These symptoms generally disappear if you rest for a days at the level at which the originally started. This is why an acclimatization day where you climb high sleep low is so important!

Moderate Symptoms There include:

A clear sign that you are experience moderate altitude sickness symptoms is when one or all of the mild symptoms start getting worse to a degree that becomes debilitating. Typically people experiencing moderate symptoms have very bad headaches and usually vomit. A felling of decrease coordination is common, it is importance you descend at least 1000 feet (300 meters), but more is necessary, and remains at a lower altitude until symptoms subside. Once the symptoms have disappeared you have acclimatized and you can ascend again.

Serious of severe symptoms These include:

Ascent under serious Acute Mountain Sickness symptoms is extremely dangerous and should occur. People experiencing serious AMS are usually unable to walk, struggle to breathe and lack mental capacities to think straight.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is a condition associated with Aute Mountain Sickness and occurs because of fluid builds up in the lungs. Fluid in the lungs prevent the effective exchange of oxygen and thus a decrease of oxygen into the bloodstream.