A day yesterday wasted haggling for non-existent helicopter flights to Kathmandu means the wanderer is still sat in Lukla as his international flight departs for London. The wanderer would love to be able to give you all an update on when he's now expected back in the UK but he currently has little idea. A few hours from now, a decision that should have been made yesterday will be made today and some aircraft will convey him to the lowlands. On the second day without flights, Lukla turns into a frustrating mess of a transport market. Yesterday afternoon the last couple of choppers were flying in and out through thick cloud, which I believe is somewhat against recommended behaviour. Amazing what some pilots will do for money. Having said that, the plane pilots are refusing to ... read more

Long day's hike yesterday, now waiting for a flight. Two planes have braved it in and out so far, so it's looking promising but the skies are not completely clear so not certain we'll make it down to Kathmandu today. One more plane and we'll head for the airport. In the mean time, lazing about in the lodge with bad Nepalese TV in the background. What a life. Update: the next plane hasn't arrived yet. Sitting up here in warm sunshine sadly does not mean it's safe to fly as the high winds between here and Kathmandu are not to the pilot's pleasing. So a lazy morning and some lunch dispatched, we're approaching calling off an effort to reach Kathmandu today and hoping to find a seat on an early flight tomorrow.... read more

Typing with chilly fingers from Dingboche. Two stunningly clear days from Namche to here. A wee scamper above Tengboche monastery yesterday afternooon gave me enough beautiful landscape to make the trip worth it on its own. Today's trek was fine - no ill effects yet. Still stunningly clear all day but the clouds are now building around the high snowy peaks around me as I type so a weather change is quite likely on the way (colder weather). So we've brought the plan forward a day. Chukkung and the Ri tomorrow (8th) then up to base camp the next day (9th) and hope to summit the next morning (10th). All that is if the weather plays the game of course. If it really turns bad, then some lower-level trekking will replace the above. We did meet ... read more

Landed safely. A couple of uneventful flights - the hardest part was getting through the queues at Heathrow - I dislike third world airports, especially when they're in supposedely first world countries. Views of the snow-topped Himalaya of to the side of the plane as we flew into Kathmandu made the feet tingle slightly. Met by Sugam (Shaleish's son) at the airport and efficiently transported to the "penthouse suite" of the moonlight hotel in Thamel. Don't get too excited, it is a bit special for Kathmandu but I've already had a few polite arguments with the bare-bone electrics. Bit of a waste not to be sharing it though...wrong continent again...ho hum. We fly early tomorrow morning (06:45 if all goes well) and the skies are looking clear so early start and should be on the hills ... read more

Posting a map of the route for the next three weeks.... read more