Everest Base Camp Trek: Grom and Team fly to Lukla, Start the Trek
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest BC Trek
Hello from the Khumbu Valley!
We started our day here pretty early, meeting in the hotel lobby at 5:30am. After checking out of the hotel we had a short ride to the domestic airport were we weighed all of our duffels and backpacks before getting tickets and slipping through a very laid back security check. Normally there’s a little bit of waiting before heading out, but today things moved along pretty quickly.
We opted for helicopter flights to the Lukla airport and avoided the small planes that require land on an uphill runway. After we touched down, we connected with our local Sherpa guides hired a few porters that will be carrying our duffles throughout the trek. We made a brief stop at a local tea house to have breakfast and get situated before hitting the trail.
We hiked for about four hours today with few stops to rest and to take in the beautiful scenery. We arrived at our camp for the night in a village called Phakding just in time for a well earned lunch. The team got settled, had naps, or explored a little before walking a short way to one of the many Monastery’s here in the Valley. Luckily for us the Monks were having a prayer session and allowed us to sit in while they chanted and blew their horns. It was very surreal and a wonderful way to start this adventure.
All is well!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Comments (2)
Step by step, up, up and away! Good luck all!
Posted by: John Buckett on
We’re living vicariously through you. So fun to see the pix, and read the stories!
Barry and Nancy Otterholt
Posted by: Barry Otterholt on