I don't mind the medical aspect of the discussion. I am learning a lot and I hope other readers might learn as well prior to running into the same condition.
Had a I known a bit more I am sure I would have abandoned my hopes for the summit and immediately taken him to lower elevation. I feel grateful that he came out OK but I feel that my ignorance nearly contributed to something much worse than what he experienced.
I'm not really blaming myself or anything like that. I would simply like to know all I can about these symptoms and be better equipped to react to them, whether they occur in myself, someone in my group or even someone I encounter along the trail.
Both my boys have expressed an interest in summiting one day, and I do not want to even think about guiding them up the mountain until I feel I am capable of taking care of not only myself, but them as well.
I've learned from this hike that I am really not knowledgeable enough at this point to take that on.
