One member of the main party picked up a Norovirus infection either at the airport or just before. Added to the strain of hauling a heavy sled a couple of miles while running a fever and getting pain from his hip, he started sweating into his clothing badly and had to shed layers in an attempt to control his temperature.
When he stopped at the camp his temperature then dropped too quickly and exacerbated by his Type II Diabetes and dehydration from his sweating, it led quickly to a state of exhaustion, possibly bringing on a mild case of Hyperthermia. What he needed was fluids and to be put into his sleeping bag for some rest.
His Buddy was aware of the situation and was starting to produce the liquids that would address the dehydration issue when another member of the party took over, dragged him into a smoke filled tent and started blowing the whole matter into some kind of crisis.
After much unnecessary drama, the situation returned to normal when he was returned to his own tent and the very next day he actually led the successful treatment of another party member that had developed a minor case of frost nip.
In fact that initial case of Norovirus, which became known in the camp as the “Kittila Joik” spread quite virulently though the party and the fact that we achieved so much, in spite of such a nasty contagion, speaks volumes about the strong teamwork running through most of the group.
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