Everest Base Camp Trek Dispatch

May 7, 2008 – The team has made it to Lukla without delays!

After two colorful, very interesting days in the capital of Nepal, we went to bed at the Yak & Yeti early last night. (We’ve already posted some photographs from our Kathmandu adventures.) We knew we were going to have a very early start this morning for the flight to Lukla and the beginning of our adventure in the mountains.

We were scheduled to be picked up at 5:15 a.m. at our hotel. The hotel porters helped us to drag all our big duffle bags down to the lobby. Some were put into storage for use during our later adventures, and rest of the baggage accompanied us to the Kathmandu airport for the flight into the Himalayas.

Our plane lifted off at just past 7:00 a.m. for the 28 minute flight to Lukla. Tracy commented that it was by far the most beautiful flight she has been on anywhere in the world, especially when the plane banked into the steep-walled Dudh Kosi Valley, then hung a sharp turn and roared onto the steep uphill landing strip at Lukla. Suddenly we were in the Khumbu and in a different world.

Dennis and Doc are excited to be here again. Dennis is on his third trip to Nepal and Doc is returning after being here two years ago. Deke, Caroline, and Tracy were equally excited to be seeing all the spectacular scenery and have the experience of flying into Lukla.

Familiar faces greeted us. Among them was Nim Puthi, who will be taking our yaks to Everest Base Camp just as she always does. She is the most beautiful woman I know anywhere in the world, was there with her gracious beautiful smile as we stepped off the airplane. She quickly grabbed the duffle bags, and along with the rest of the staff began moving them over to be tied onto the animals and carried up the trail toward Namche.

Now we are relaxing in Lukla and we are watching the planes come and go. It’s quite busy today, and there is a lot to see. Soon we will be walking toward Namche, arriving there sometime tomorrow afternoon.

Tonight we will sleep near the banks of the Dudh Kosi River in a beautiful, secluded little lodge. I’m really looking forward to a peaceful sleep on the first night of trekking. In the coming days we will continue to report to you about our adventures and experiences along the trail to Everest Base Camp. Please stay tuned.