Mount Everest: Dave Hahn & Team Safely Land in Lukla and Trek to Phakding
Posted by: Dave Hahn, JJ Justman, Billy Nugent
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest
Elevation: 8,700'
Yesterday was a whirlwind marathon of packing and prepping in the chaos of Kathmandu. This morning was the staccato hurry up and wait of getting up and out to the airport and hanging to see if the weather would permit flying. Flying conditions weren't perfect when we got through security at the domestic terminal in Kathmandu. We ended up waiting several hours -swilling coffee, listening to music and people watching- until the pilots felt good about taking off for Lukla. Once up and out of the smog layers of the Kathmandu Valley, we were treated to stupendous views of the Himalaya. Those with port-side window seats could pick out Mt. Everest as the flight progressed. But we were only up about 45 minutes before the pilots put the Twin Otter into a dive. They had Lukla's crazy-angled airstrip in their sites and it was clear from the steep mountain walls all around that this was our one shot at parking the plane. Heart rates shot up, cameras were clicked on and the wheels touched down perfectly.
A few minutes later, we were out of the plane and sitting in a quiet Tea House in the lower Khumbu Valley. We ate a leisurely lunch and got walking up valley. It only took a bit more than three hours to reach Phakding And Joe's Garden... Our lodge for the night. By that point, things had clouded over, but our luck held and the rain didn't fall.
The team ate dinner and bedded down to the soothing sounds of the nearby river churning through endless rapids.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On The Map
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Comments (20)
Nicole,
You are an inspiration! It was hard for you to leave but it will be so worth it.
I admire your discipline, hard work ethic, motivation and determination to succeed.
Enjoy the beauty, peace and serenity of the climb one step at a time.
I found…St. Bernard, patron saint of mountain climbers. A blessing.
Lord, we beg you to bless Nicole and crew, these ropes, staves, mattocks, and these other tools, so that all who will use them in scaling the mountains’ heights and precipices, in ice and snow and raging storms, may be preserved from all accidents and catastrophe, Safely reach the summits, and return unharmed to their homes; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
You are blessed and admired. God bless you on this special journey.
Peace,
Mary Grace
Posted by: Mary Grace on
Cheering you on from New Jersey! Xo T
Posted by: Tatiana Burgos on
Nicole: Great pic….blue of course ;) Love being able to track your journey. Wishing you great weather, safe travels and the smoothest summit! Love you! Lisa
Posted by: Lisa on
Hao: Great to see you and teh team in the pic. Everyone looks awesome! Temperature is still in the 30s here. Enjoy your trek to the base camp! -FX
Posted by: FX on
Nicole,
Great Pic, You are awesome! Be safe! I’ll be tracking the journey. Love you
Posted by: PJ Kiernan on
Nicole, I have never seen you so happy and looking so great. We will be following your progress everyday. Luv u!!!! Aunt G (Dave) thanks for keeping us all informed on your blog….. Be safe
Posted by: Ginny Marasco on
Best of luck for a safe, exciting journey!
Posted by: B Rock on
James and company,
Woohoo! Happy to hear you’ve begun trekking. Hope the yaks are being kind to you. How majestic are those mountains you awake to see everyday?! Incredible!
Thinking of you all !!!
Posted by: LT on
You look beautiful Nicole! The whole team looks great and happy!stay safe, have fun and good luck! take care of each other. We are tracking you everyday!!!!
~We love ya Nic!
Posted by: The Taddeo Clan on
Great photo of the team. We are all so excited that we can follow your adventure every day! Our minds and hearts are with you!
Mimi
Posted by: Marianne on
Sending all the white light, each moment, of each day, as your teams embarks on the great
adventure to the top of the world.
Posted by: Patrick Nugent on
Fatima…you have Dave and JJ as guides….how wonderful. Del says, TAKE PHOTOS!!!!
Posted by: Debbi on
James,
I will be watching you in Santa Monica with the temp here in the 60-70’s.
Have fun up there & please be careful,
Posted by: Mama Chen on
James, you all look so happy and ready for the adventure. Have fun!
Posted by: Melonie C on
James and team,
Greetings from Tennessee. All of you look great!
Good luck and safety please…... Following your progress in K-town.
Posted by: Soonja Choo on
James and team:
Thank for another great report. So nice to receive. The base is getting closer. Stay safe and continued success!
Fred K
Posted by: Fred Klingbeil on
Looking good. Watching everyday!
Kara’s Ohio family (part of it )
Posted by: lynn on
Good luck, Chooie from Doc and the gang at Petrone Training. I’ll be following you daily.
Les
Posted by: Les Cunningham on
Looking good Nikita!!! Tracking you all. Stay safe!
Posted by: Nicole Howard on
Wow! You all look happy and great! I am glad you all made it safe to your next task. I love checking in to seeing where you are! Have fun! Everything is good here! Love you!❤
Posted by: Lisa Taddeo on