Gamow bags are airtight nylon bags, invented a few years ago, that have become popular among mountain rescue organizations, as they have proven to be effective in alleviating altitude sickness. When a person starts to feel symptoms of altitude sickness, they can be placed inside the bag. The bag is then pressurized using a foot pump to about 2 psi, and the person breathes the pressurized air for a few hours, usually finding that their symptoms subside. There is evidence that Gamow bags can be effective in the prevention or treatment of pulmonary edema, which can be fatal.

A close friend of ours has given me a tiger eye amulet to keep for the purpose of warding off misfortune. It’s a beautiful small polished stone with a shimmery cast to it, and it’s pleasant to hold.

Our friend says she has always kept this stone with her, while traveling to uncountable numbers of places and it has served her well, protecting her and keeping her safe. So she wants me to have it on this trip so we can draw upon its magic. I am so grateful to her.

On the subject of Gamow bags, the trekking agency we will be working with does provide these and bottled oxygen as options. Their availability is a relatively new development. Altitude sickness has always been a risk in mountain travel; the rule has been that a person suffering from headache, nausea, shortness of breath, a dry hacking cough or dizziness should descend to a lower elevation as soon as possible. Of course, circumstances can sometimes make this an untenable option. So there is a definite risk. And the Gamow bag and bottled oxygen can reduce the risk.

If I think about a scenario in which one of us is coming down with acute symptoms of mountain sickness and thinking that if only I had ordered a Gamow bag but chose not to, then I know there would be some deep regret. In fact, thinking about the possible outcomes gives me a sense of dread.

So the question arises as to whether I want to spend $500 to rent these devices and have them carried by our porters, or leave them behind. They are considerably bulky and add extra weight. I’ve never had a Gamow bag with me before on a high altitude trip, and so far I have never needed one.

And then there’s the amulet.

I’m certain that this stone is not going to provide more oxygen to my blood if and when I experience symptoms of altitude sickness. And I’m equally certain that it is not going to kill microbes in my gut if and when I come down with an intestinal infection. And it’s obvious that this little rock is not going to have an effect on local weather conditions or divert storms.

But perhaps it can help with my worries. While the Gamow bag clearly provides an objective benefit under specific circumstances, it doesn’t do much about the tendency to weave endless what-if scenarios. On the other hand, the tiger eye has no objective benefit, but it sure feels good to know that a close friend, for whom this object has been so special for so long, cares enough about our well-being on this trip she has loaned it to me.

So I haven’t decided for sure about the Gamow bag, but I’m definitely going to take along the tiger eye amulet.

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