Blogs from Lukla, Nepal, Asia - page 2

nach einem relativ ereignisfreiem vormittag fahren wir mit unserem neuen guide kumar zum flughafen um nach lukla zu fliegen. die propeller maschine erwartungsgemäß winzig, der pilot aber sehr cool mitlederjacke und ray bans. wir fliegen also richtung norden, rechts hügelige landschaft mit winzigen bergdörfern und tälern, einem faltenwurf gleichend. links erheben sich die imposanten 6000m+ gipfel. schneebedeckt, zerklüftet, respekteinflößend. dann kommt endlich der gefürchtete landestreifen in sicht, so klein und kurz, dass man sie übersehen könnte. dann macht es nach eine stoßgebet einen heftigen ruck, viel bremsarbeit und mit schwung wird nach rechts abgeschwenkt. wir stehen. wir haben die landebahn von lukla überlebt. erste euphorie! gleich geht es mit unseren portern weiter zu einer wirklich gemütlichen wandertour von 2.800m in lukla auf 2.600m nach phakding. die baumgrenze ist hier e... read more

“Namaste!” a Sherpa carrying the weight of the world on his back in the form of booze, cleaning goods, and boxes of Snickers, Coke, and juice, all in a woven basket, enthusiastically called as I passed him on the trail. No roads connect the towns along the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trail, thus everything - and I mean everything, like drywall, two-by-fours, and propane tanks – is carried up by Sherpas, donkeys and yaks. The Sherpas, carrying baskets on their backs that can literally weigh over 250 lbs, walk step by slow step, their exhaustion sometimes very apparent, never fail to greet you with all the extra energy they can muster. And why not? We were surrounded by the beauty of the Himalayas. How can you not scream out in joy? “Namaste” is more than a ... read more

So, what did I take? What worked? What didn't? What would I do differently next time? PACKING LIST (Trek Only, not the easy bits in KTM, the hospital or Thailand) Denali 65l Gear Bag ... read more

At the end of every trip it is inevitable one looks back and thinks about the highs and lows of the journey just completed. For me this journey began over 12 months ago with the idea, then the planning, then the comittement both financially and personally for training and preparation to at least give me good shot at reaching Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar. Whilst I had some doubts along the way, getting beyond Namche in good shape gave me all the confidence I needed that I would achieve my goals, unless that is I suffered from altitude sickness. On that subject, I was aware that drug called Diamox was used quite frequently by trekkers to reduce the risk of altitude sickness, but I and one other in our group chose not to use it. ... read more

We passed Tengboche on the way back down the valley, and before we were even aware up ahead the unmistakable view of Lukla and its unfeasibly short runway came into view.... read more