Lukla to Phantang

After two days waiting, I finally made it to Lukla. I would have abandoned the attempt to reach Everest Base Camp today, had I not been able to fly out. I needed to give myself enough time to acclimatize to the altitude safely and a window at the end of the trek to catch my connecting flights and get back to work.

It was incredibly difficult getting to Lukla this year, and I beleive the Exodus team did everything to try and get all seven of us on flights out of Kathmandu. Poor weather was mo doubt a factor, but congestion at Lukla is exasperated at Easter by all the expedition teams wishing to get to the summit of Everest. The mountaineers need to get to the summit in the Spring weather conditions before the monsoon rains arrive in June. Although, listening to the rain outside the monsoon season may have come early this year.

Flight
My flight today was amazing. To see mountains out of the left and right windows of the plane towering above us, was both terrifying and exilerating. The airstrip at Lukla is incredibly short and only the very smallest planes can land there. You land at the end of the tarmac, and the runway then slopes up sharply to slow the plane down. The landing today was superb and the pilots must be some of the most skilled in the world.
I didn't realise until today, how terrifying yesterday's flight was. We circled three times yesterday, in the valley, surrounded by the highest mountains in the world. Helmut one of the Guides, who flies the route frequently, walked with me today and told me that he been praying at one point and our guide leader, Suckman, had his head in his hands. There was a moment yesterday when one of the pilots turned around to signal to the lone air stewardess. The pilot gave the same signal and facial expression Gary Lineker gave to Boby Robson,at the 1990 world cup final, when Gazza received the yellow card that meant he would not play in the final. Terrifying!

Trekking

My first day trekking was amazing. The people, mountains and river valley was beyond anything I had expected. I crossed river gorges on cable bridges that bounced as you walked across, avoided Yaks with piercing horns carrying supplies up and down the trail and saw 14 year old children carrying 60kg loads supported by straps on their heads.
The highlight apart from the scenery was eating lunch with the Sherpas and guides. We ate in the kitchen area, because the main seating area was full and the Sherpas do not eat with their clients. I watched in amazement, as the two cooks prepared chicken fried rice, egg fried rice, nan bread and a potato dish for the customers, over a single wood fueled flame. I told the sherpas tales of a magnificent team from the west called Stoke City and showed pictures of the Wembley FA Cup Final.

The only low point was my Exodus bag and rucksack letting the rain in. I didn't put my clothes in plastic bags and many are now wet or damp. There is no heating in the Lodge and I'm hoping they will dry a little by the morning.

I am the only guest in the lodge tonight, because it was booked for our group of seven- which is now a group of one. I will be meeting up with other trekkers tomorrow on the trail, and at our next stop, Namche Bazar.

I will now be updating the blog via my iPhone. I can only load low resolution photos and please ignore any typing errors. It is amazing to think I can keep you updated of my progress thanks to the recently installed mobile transmitters.

Sent from my iPhone