Altitude Sickness is the most common problem resulting from a reduction in oxygen levels to the brain and lungs. Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, exhaustion, lassitude, muscle weakness a rapid pulse rate while resting, swelling of the hands and feet and reduced urine output.

The most extreme forms of altitude sickness are Pulmonary and Cerebral Edemas. Certain people have a predilection for developing edema - it is not known why - but it tends to affect young, fit males who over exert themselves.

Standout Adventure's guides and porters will move anyone suspected of having altitude sickness to a lower altitude. Sometimes, a drop of as little as 500 metres can relieve the symptoms of altitude sickness.

The best way of avoiding it altogether is to gradually acclimatize to the higher altitudes on the mountain by spending a day or two in the foothills of the mountain before making the ascent.

The temperature during the day can be very warm so walkers will sweat considerably. Cold weather at night increases urinary output, further increasing fluid loss.

The symptoms of dehydration are thirst (which signals that the body is already short of 2 litres of water), headaches, muscle cramps and nausea.

Climbers and walkers should drink a minimum of 5 to 7 litres of fluid per day.

Mountain water should be purified. Standout guides will collect and boil water for you, but you should still purify the water using purification tablets.

Exposure is the lowering of the body's core temperature. Kit and clothing appropriate to temperatures that may fall to well below freezing is a must.

Sunburn: About 40% of the Earth's protective atmosphere is below an altitude of 4,000 metres, so climbers are exposed to higher levels of ultra-violet rays. High factor sunscreen and sunglasses (to reduce the effects of sun glare) are a must.