Ama Dablam Expedition Dispatch

October 22, 2015 – Team Makes it to Namche!

Once again, our trip is moving along smoothly. The domestic terminal was absent of the typical chaos or delays, and our flight to Lukla was spectacular. Instead of flying on a fixed wing, we took a new B3 Eurocopter from Kathmandu. Of course we blessed the helicopter with a quick puja and forty minutes later we were in Lukla.

Wally flew down from Gorak Shep and the two teams had tea together before each of us went in different directions – Wally to Kathmandu and Namche for us. An easy two-hour walk down to Phakding for lunch and then another few hours to Monjo and the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park where we spent the night.

An early start the next day led us into the park and to the new bridge over the Dudh Khosi. The hill to Namche went by rather quickly and we were lucky enough to get a beautiful view up valley of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse looming above all else in the Khumbu.

Old friends, showers, and great food greeted us at the Panorama lodge. I can’t think of a better place to rest for a day and acclimate to the 11,000 feet where we now find ourselves.