Paul Pottinger’s Adventures from the Top of the World

Jump to helpful navigation →

Service, Devotion, and LUKLA

Everest 2016  •  March 27

Up at 4 AM to get ready for the flight to Lukla.  This small village is the de-facto start of treks in the Khumbu valley, because it has an airport that can accommodate fixed-wing or helicopter flights.  It’s just about 100 miles away from Kathmandu, but the rugged terrain that lies between make them very, very difficult to drive or walk.  Virtually everyone flies there.

But, the weather has to be right.  In a scene very, very reminiscent of last year, we had bad luck with weather today, both in Kathmandu (where there was lots of early morning smog) and in Lukla, where poor visibility in the clouds made it impossible for flights to land safely.  The first members of our group were able to make it out just in time, but Lukla was closed shortly after they arrived… just as we were riding in an airport bus to the tarmac.  Nothing to do but wait…

Progress from last year: A floor has been installed in the lobby! But, still not complete and not functional.
Progress from last year: A floor has been installed in the lobby! But, still not complete and not functional.
This pooch was not happy we woke it up.
This pooch was not happy we woke it up.
The outer waiting area. Cacophony of inscrutable overhead announcements, alarms, a few crying kids (just a few), and the sound of pigeons fight-mating in the rafters overhead.
The outer waiting area. Cacophony of inscrutable overhead announcements, alarms, a few crying kids (just a few), and the sound of pigeons fight-mating in the rafters overhead.
Justin and Siva confer on serious matters.
Justin and Siva confer on serious matters.
Closer still, the inner sanctum, even more stifling than the outer lobby.
Closer still, the inner sanctum, even more stifling than the outer lobby.

Eventually, at noon, all flights were canceled to Lukla for the day.  This is a real hassle, not only because weather for tomorrow is predicted to be poor, but also because we go to the bottom of the waiting list for subsequent flights.  Not unusual for folks to be stuck in Kathmandu for days.

Exhausted, jetlagged, sitting on a broken x-ray machine, approaching 10 hours of wait time... why not blog? (Photo: Justin Merle)
Exhausted, jetlagged, sitting on a broken x-ray machine, approaching 10 hours of wait time… why not blog? (Photo: Justin Merle)

So, just like last year, we chose to fly on via helicopter.  The trouble with this, aside from the cost, is the scarcity of choppers.  Five of our team took a bird up there… and five of us waited for it to return for us, a couple hours later.

But… it never did return.  Foul weather forced it to stay at Lukla for the night.  Mountain flying requires precision and a huge safety margin, and these pilots take no chances at all if visibility is poor.  So, while our teammates were safely in Lukla, those of us remaining behind in KTM went back to the hotel to lick our wounds, 12 hours after getting up.

It happens.  The bright side: One of our teammates, Kim, was able to join us!  She and her brother Steven have been delayed due to a snowstorm in Denver, but she made it… now we are almost complete, just missing Steven, who is due in tomorrow.

Baby monkey scurries up a fallen phone line to catch up with mom.
Baby monkey scurries up a fallen phone line to catch up with mom.
Hundreds of these motorcycles parked at the airport.
Hundreds of these motorcycles parked at the airport.
But, we chose a different way back to the airport. You can see how smoggy it is.
But, we chose a different way back to the airport. You can see how smoggy it is.
LOVING THIS EXPEDITION SO FAR!
LOVING THIS EXPEDITION SO FAR!

Time for another nice dinner, and sleep in a proper bed.  Always a good thing.  We will try to fly on again tomorrow, weather permitting.

A good thing did come of the delay: DINNER! Siva, Fatima, Justin, Kim, me, and our great new friend Roger.
A good thing did come of the delay: DINNER! Siva, Fatima, Justin, Kim, me, and our great new friend Roger.

2 thoughts on “Service, Devotion, and LUKLA

  1. I can only imagine your frustration, with more to come, no doubt. I’m grateful that safety comes first. Don’t let your impatience get the better of you. But I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir about that.! No one is more careful than you. That’s the only thing that lets me sleep at night. Sending you love and hugs. Xox

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.