What the mountain top can tell us about our health

For most people, venturing to the highest mountain range in the world is a culmination of years of training and dedication, the ultimate challenge for passionate mountaineers.

The isolated foothills of Everest aren’t, it’s fair to say, usually cited as an ideal spot to conduct medical experiments. But for a 200-strong team of doctors, scientists and volunteers, eager to scale new heights of life-saving, the high altitude at Everest Base Camp meant it was an attractive venue.

The researchers are particularly keen to investigate a condition called hypoxia, which happens when blood-oxygen levels drop dangerously low and can lead to multiple organ failure.