Beware the APE: Altitude, Pride, and Ego on High-Altitude Treks

Posted: Sunday February 9, 2025

There’s a sneaky creature lurking in the mountains, and no, it’s not a Yeti or a snow leopard.  It’s something much harder to spot, Altitude, Pride, and Ego, or as I like to call it, the APE.  While altitude can mess with your lungs, it’s the APE that really messes with your judgment, making even the most prepared trekkers push past their limits when they shouldn’t.  And the higher you climb, the stronger the APE gets.

Whether you are trekking in Nepal, heading to Everest Base Camp, climbing Kilimanjaro or any other trek or climb at altitude the APE will be looking for you.

At the start of your trek, everything feels great.  You’re full of energy, the scenery is stunning, and you’re snapping photos like a National Geographic photographer.  The trail is challenging but manageable, and you think, Altitude?  What altitude?

But as you climb higher, things start to shift.  The air gets thinner, your breathing becomes heavier, and suddenly, every step feels like you’re wading through quicksand.  This is when the APE shows up.  Pride convinces you that admitting you’re struggling isn’t an option.  Maybe you’re lightheaded, maybe your head is pounding, but Ego whispers, “Come on, you’ve trained for this!  No way are you turning back now”.  Or worse, “Everyone else is fine. You don’t want to be the weak link, do you?”

And that’s where the real danger lies.  At high altitudes, denial isn’t just uncomfortable, it can be life-threatening.  Altitude sickness isn’t about fitness or determination; it happens when your body isn’t adjusting well, and the only real cure is slowing down, resting, or returning to a lower altitude.  Yet so many trekkers let their Pride and Ego take the lead, pushing on instead of speaking up.

The problem?  The mountain doesn’t care how tough you think you are.  Ignoring symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, or breathlessness doesn’t make you strong, it makes you reckless.  Rescue teams will tell you that many cases of severe altitude sickness could have been avoided if trekkers had just listened to their bodies and taken precautions sooner.  But the APE loves it when people ignore the dizziness, push through the nausea, and refuse to admit they need a break.

So how do you beat the APE?  First, recognize that altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of how fit or experienced they are.  Second, be honest, with yourself and your trekking team.  If you feel off, say something.  There’s no shame in taking an extra break, walking a little slower, or even turning back if necessary.  Finally, remember that reaching your destination is only half the goal, getting back safely is just as important.

Here is some more advice on how you can avoid altitude sickness.

Here’s the truth:  No one earns bragging rights for ignoring their body’s warning signs.  The strongest and most successful trekkers aren’t the ones who power through at all costs, they’re the ones who know when to pause, reassess, and put safety first.  So, when you’re high in the mountains and feeling a little less heroic than you expected, don’t let the APE take over.  The bravest thing you can do is say, “Hey, I need a minute”.

Because in the end, the mountain isn’t going anywhere, but you need to make sure you’re around to enjoy the view.