Where were the mild HAPE cases located?

• A. Camp 4
• B. Camp 6
• C. Base camp
• D. Camp 5

Answer: (D)

HAPE happens when low oxygen at high altitude causes the lungs to leak fluid, and the earliest, milder forms tend to appear at the highest points where acclimatization is stretched and oxygen pressure is most limited. In this scenario, the mild cases were found at Camp 5, the higher camp on the route, where conditions are extreme enough that early edema can develop before more severe symptoms appear. Lower sites like base camp are at a lower altitude and less likely to show these early signs, and Camp 4 is used for the run toward the summit but isn’t the usual setting for these mild, early cases. Camp 6 isn’t a standard stop in many routes, so Camp 5 best fits the location of the mild HAPE presentations.