Kangchenjunga 2003
Alan Hinkes: Dispatch Two

	ALAN HINKES CHALLENGE 8000 ALAN'S AIM TO BE THE FIRST BRITON TO CLIMB ALL FOURTEEN 8000'ERS. ONLY TWO ARE LEFT - DHAULAGIRI AND KANGCHENJUNGA
©Alan Hinkes

Dispatch Two: ILLNESS SET BACK FOR ALAN HINKES SUMMIT HOPES

During his trek in to Kangchenjunga base camp high altitude mountaineer Alan Hinkes has had to be flown back to Kathmandu after contracting a serious bronchial infection.

Calling from Kathmandu earlier today Alan told the Berghaus team: “Half way through my trek in to base camp I began to feel unwell. I was very short of breath and lacked energy and appetite. At 4000 metres I decided to stop and rest, but after three days with little appetite and feeling worse I realised I had to get to safety as the types of symptoms I had at such a high altitude can develop into life threatening High Altitude Pulmonary Adena (HAPE).

“I was only two days from base camp and really looking forward to the climb. However as I always say I climb to live and with the symptoms I was experiencing I knew I had to get treatment as I hadn’t suffered as much in a long time.

“I am feeling a little better but I still feel very weak and have a bad chest and cough. The doctors have prescribed me a ten day course of antibiotics and recommended plenty of fluids and rest. I hope to still make an attempt on Kangchenjunga but I now have to take each day at a time and my health obviously comes first and will determine whether I am fit enough.” 

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