Cold air can mask the intense sun's heat when you are hiking through high altitude passes, such as Kongmaru La or Bali Pass. At altitudes of between 4000 and 5500 meters exposure to sunlight is particularly dangerous, and could result in sunburn and other severe medical complications. We've seen that failing to recognize the dangers of sunlight can result in sunburns as well as more severe medical issues, including altitude sickness.
Why Is Sun Exposure Worse at High Altitude?
Thicker Atmosphere- More radiation is a result of lower UV filtering.
Reflection off snow & Ice: Up to 80 percent of UV rays can reflect off ice or snow and increase your UV exposure.
Cool temperatures cause burns Although you may not feel the heat directly on your skin, it's being removed from your body.
Dry Air and Wind: Exposure to dry air and wind can cause dryness of the skin cells as well as chapping.
Common Sun-Related Hazards for Trekkers
SunburnAt high altitudes sunburns of any kind can appear within 20 minutes. They will appear on the face, neck and hands.
Snow BlindnessCornea damages caused by UV radiation can cause snow blindness. Symptoms include watery and red eyes, as blurred vision, or temporary blindness.
Dehydration In cooler climates sunlight can accelerate the loss of water from our bodies when it is combined with extreme exercise and mountain air that is dry.
Heat exhaustion:Even in winter conditions the prolonged exposure to sunshine on clear days can cause heatstroke, dizziness and fatigue.
Trekup India's Sun Safety Strategy for Trekkers
- Use high-SPF sunscreen SPF 50and broad spectrum sunscreen is highly recommended.
Use the Sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours. This is especially important if you sweat often.
Don't forget to protect your ears, neck, nose and under your chin with a protective shield against UV radiation.
