Understanding Environmental and Social Change using Photo Sorting Methods

This study aims to examine how residents and visitors perceive social and environmental changes using photo sorting methods. The data for this study was collected using historic photographs representing various human and environmental change in the Khumbu (Mt Everest) region of epal as stimuli in two photo sorting tasks (multiple sort and Q sort). The multidimensional scaling models of multiple sort data revealed the three major dimensions of changes including tourism, cultural and landscape. The Q sort data shows that there are differences between local residents and outsiders, and younger and older groups of respondents in terms of how these changes were perceived. Local residents’ and outsiders’ perspectives differ on modernization, such as TV, the internet, and other technology, which supports the despondency theory

Perceptions of trekking tourism and social and environmental change in Nepal's Himalayas

The Himalayas are among the world’s youngest mountain ranges. In addition to the geologic processes of mountain building and erosion, they are also highly vulnerable to human influenced change, occurring at local, national, regional, and international scales. A photo-elicitation methodology is employed to show how residents perceive those changes from historical perspectives, as well as their current conditions and impacts on their daily lives. Nepal’s Khumbu region has undergone major social and environmental transformations since the 1960s when international trekking first began to influence the area's economy. The current perceptions of Khumbu residents of these changes is assessed through photo-elicitation interviews. Their responses are placed in the historical context of: (i) institutional and political changes, much of which have been driven by national government policies; (ii) social and economic changes, for which the tourism economy has been central; and (iii) environmental changes, reflecting the impacts of resource management and climate change. The mostly positive perceptions of Khumbu residents toward how their region has changed reflects general improvements in the physical and cultural landscapes of the Khumbu over time, as well as its continuing geographic isolation, which has helped to slow the rate of globalization, while also keeping the region a dynamic and popular tourist destination

Variables Contributing to Acute Mountain Sickness on the Summit of Mt. Whitney

Objective: The interaction of 15 variables representing physical characteristics, previous altitude exposure, and ascent data was analyzed to determine their contribution to acute mountain sickness (AMS). Methods: Questionnaires were obtained from 359volunteers upon reaching the summit of Mt Whitney (4419m). Heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation were measured with a pulse oximeter, and AMS was identified by Lake Louise Self-Assessment scoring. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant protective and risk factors for AMS. Results: Thirty-three percent of the sample met the criteria for AMS. The odds of experiencing AMS were greater for those who reported a previous altitude illness (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.00, P\u3c.01) or who were taking analgesics during the ascent (adjusted OR = 2.09, P\u3c.01). Odds for AMS decreased with increasing age (adjusted OR = 0.82, P\u3c.0001), a greater number of climbs above 3000m in the past month (adjusted OR = 0.92, P\u3c.05), and use of acetazolamide during the ascent (adjusted OR = 0.33, P\u3c.05). Conclusions: The significant determinants of AMS on the summit of Mt Whitney were age, a history of altitude illness, number of climbs above 3000m in the past month, and use of acetazolamide and analgesics during ascent