My adventure on The John Muir trail has ended after nine days and 75 miles. The Rough Fire in Kings Canyon National Park would have made it impossible to continue much further due to smoke which made conditions highly hazardous on the middle portions of The John Muir Trail, but in the early morning hours Thursday I awoke to find myself suffering from altitude sickness, a first for me after many treks at high altitude.
Shortness of breath, inability to sleep, chest pain and other symptoms caused me to descend approximately one mile and 600' of elevation to a meadow, the only possible place where a rescue by chopper was easily possible. The satellite tracker I have been carrying which has allowed me to communicate with the outside world proved invaluable. A CHP chopper and medic landed shortly after 9am and after an exhilarating ride of about 25 minutes across the Sierras, hooked up to an EKG machine, oxygen and an intravenous feed, I arrived at St Agnes Hospital in Fresno. After an EKG, blood tests and X-Rays the doctors determined that my self diagnosis had been correct, my actions had been "spot on" and that there was nothing wrong with me other than altitude sickness, which can happen to anyone, at any time, regardless of age, condition or experience - it is totally random, just one of those medical mysteries.
I am now home in San Diego, giving thanks for the years of training I received while a Boy Scout Leader which allowed me to recognize my situation and act appropriately in what could have been a very dangerous and possibly fatal situation.
Many thanks to those of you who have followed my trek, supported me, sent me messages and donated to WildLink, the charity I have been raising money for throughout this adventure. Your donation is much appreciated!! I would especially like to thank the following people who were truly "trail angels" giving way above and beyond in logistical and emotional support...Deborah Zucker, Dick & Elaine Woodward, Dan & Anne Smith - without you all of this would have been infinitely more difficult.
I am going to take the next week off to continue to write about what I have experienced and put it in perspective.
Again, I am fine, had the adventure of a lifetime, and am looking forward to a return to the Sierras in the future - there is more to see!
Again, many thanks for your support!
© 2015 James McGregor Gibson