Hello from Namche Bazzar (3450m above sea level)
OK, I'm going to have to keep this one short. In Kathmandu, internet costs 20 rupees (about 45 cents) an hour. Here, it's 20 rupees per minute.
It was looking pretty doubtful that we would get out on our second day. We had one false alarm where we were acutally in the plane with the engines started when they pulled the plug. We then spent half an hour just sittiing out on the tarmac (not quite the security system we have back home) before being shuttled back to the terminal. We had given up all hope and were paking our bags when a guy came running into the terminal saying we were going to give it another try. Within 15 minutes we had shuttled out to the plane, loaded up, and were heading down the runway.
And what a flight it was. Just incredible, words can't describe it. Had to go through a couple of passes where the mountains rose above us on both sides and we didn't have a whole lot of clearance below. Then, we turned north and headed up the valley towards our destination a Lukla. For those who have never heard about this airstrip, it begs a description. As we're flying up this very steep, very tall valley, I was able to sneak a peak out the front of the plane. There, half way up the valley side, looking as if it was literally hanging off the side of the mountain, was a tiny little airstrip. You can actually see most of the airstrip because it's not flat. It's angled upwards quite steeply which allows the planes to stop before the runway runs out. Good thing too, because after that it's just mountain. It was quite a ride, but actually pretty smooth. We were still quite happy to be on the ground. And Mom, don't worry it's not really that dangerous. The airstrip has been in use for something like 30 years and has never had a major accident.
So after that, we began our trek. The first day was spent actually descending to our first stop at Phakding. Rained on us the whole way, but the view was spectactular anyway. No Himalayas though, too much cloud. The next day, we continued our journey up the lush valley. We eventually crossed a crazy suspension bridge and began the nasty slog up to Namche Bazzar. The altitude really began to make itself fealt and by the end, I was having a hard time going at a snails pace.
But we made it and we're staying at a great lodge. The lodge owner is friends with the guy who made the Everest IMAX film, so we all piled into his bedroom last night to watch it on tape. So cool to be watching that film when the mountian is so close.
Hiked up to the Everest View Hotel today. This hotel is perched at about 3850m with views of Everest, Nupste, Lhotse (3rd highest peak in the world), and Ama Dablam. Unfortunately, due to the clouds, we couldn't see any of them. However, on the way up, the clouds did part and we were able to see from the bottom of the river valley we climbed up (2000m elevation) to the top of a nearby, but lower peak (roughly 6000m). I've never seen something so big. The sheer size of this thing was unimaginable. Just mind blowing. I can't imagine what the big ones will look like!
One thing that has become very clear to me so far is that maps are 2 dimensional. Always rember that.
We're off tomorrow and will definitely be beyond contact for a while. Hopefully we get at least one clear day .....
Take care and talk to you soon,
Justin
It was looking pretty doubtful that we would get out on our second day. We had one false alarm where we were acutally in the plane with the engines started when they pulled the plug. We then spent half an hour just sittiing out on the tarmac (not quite the security system we have back home) before being shuttled back to the terminal. We had given up all hope and were paking our bags when a guy came running into the terminal saying we were going to give it another try. Within 15 minutes we had shuttled out to the plane, loaded up, and were heading down the runway.
And what a flight it was. Just incredible, words can't describe it. Had to go through a couple of passes where the mountains rose above us on both sides and we didn't have a whole lot of clearance below. Then, we turned north and headed up the valley towards our destination a Lukla. For those who have never heard about this airstrip, it begs a description. As we're flying up this very steep, very tall valley, I was able to sneak a peak out the front of the plane. There, half way up the valley side, looking as if it was literally hanging off the side of the mountain, was a tiny little airstrip. You can actually see most of the airstrip because it's not flat. It's angled upwards quite steeply which allows the planes to stop before the runway runs out. Good thing too, because after that it's just mountain. It was quite a ride, but actually pretty smooth. We were still quite happy to be on the ground. And Mom, don't worry it's not really that dangerous. The airstrip has been in use for something like 30 years and has never had a major accident.
So after that, we began our trek. The first day was spent actually descending to our first stop at Phakding. Rained on us the whole way, but the view was spectactular anyway. No Himalayas though, too much cloud. The next day, we continued our journey up the lush valley. We eventually crossed a crazy suspension bridge and began the nasty slog up to Namche Bazzar. The altitude really began to make itself fealt and by the end, I was having a hard time going at a snails pace.
But we made it and we're staying at a great lodge. The lodge owner is friends with the guy who made the Everest IMAX film, so we all piled into his bedroom last night to watch it on tape. So cool to be watching that film when the mountian is so close.
Hiked up to the Everest View Hotel today. This hotel is perched at about 3850m with views of Everest, Nupste, Lhotse (3rd highest peak in the world), and Ama Dablam. Unfortunately, due to the clouds, we couldn't see any of them. However, on the way up, the clouds did part and we were able to see from the bottom of the river valley we climbed up (2000m elevation) to the top of a nearby, but lower peak (roughly 6000m). I've never seen something so big. The sheer size of this thing was unimaginable. Just mind blowing. I can't imagine what the big ones will look like!
One thing that has become very clear to me so far is that maps are 2 dimensional. Always rember that.
We're off tomorrow and will definitely be beyond contact for a while. Hopefully we get at least one clear day .....
Take care and talk to you soon,
Justin
posted by Justin Callison at 4:45 AM
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