Thanks for the information, Barbara.

You might check, I think the spelling is Edema. I couldn't find anything referencing Odema or HPO. Apparently the British spelling is Oedema.

It is pretty amazing that sometimes people get the edema (swelling, caused by excess fluid around cells) after they descend.

Mike's experience was similar to the story posted by Diane: 8/15/11 Trip Report & HAPE   She hiked down on her own, but that evening at the motel in Lone Pine, she continued to worsen, so she checked into the Lone Pine Hospital.

Diane wrote: "I spent three days in the Lone Pine hospital. My x-rays didn't show improvement, but my labs did. I was also diagnosed with Pleural Effusions, which were a complication of the HAPE, and significantly slowing my recovery. It took almost 10 days to get my breathing and constant coughing under control."

Later she wrote:  "We really didn't hear any crackles in my breathing until the last couple hours of our descent and it got progressively worse for the next 48 hours. The ER doctor (in Lone Pine) said many HAPE cases get worse before they get better."

I am so glad you posted this information. People need to realize that, while uncommon, Mt Whitney hikers can contract HAPE. Here's the Wikipedia link: High altitude pulmonary edema - HAPE

And I am very glad Mike recovered.