Dehydration, Heat Exhaustion, Alaska, Mount McKinley, West Buttress

Publication Year: 1996.

DEHYDRATION, HEAT EXHAUSTION

Alaska, Mount McKinley, West Buttress

On June 1, around 2330, Robert Paige (28) called 7,200 foot base camp, saying he was sick and could not stop vomiting. Base camp manager Anne Duquette told him that he should take fluids, if he could keep them down, and call back in the morning. The expedition called back in the morning and said that Paige was still vomiting and they would attempt to link up with an Army team that was at the 8,000 foot camp. On June 2 at 1200, NPS members Eric Martin and Amy Eilertsen were notified by Anne Duquette, and began skiing from the 7,200 camp to the 8,000 foot level. Ranger/medic Martin made contact with Paige at 7,800 feet at 1530 and began treatment for dehydration. He called for helicopter evacuation. Paige was evacuated to Anchorage, where he was found to be suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion. It is believed this climber s condition was caused by lack of adequate fluids and hot weather. (Source: Daryl Miller, Mountaineering Ranger, Denali National Park)