28 APRIL 2013 - FLIGHT TO LUKLA IN THE MORNING

Early Sunday morning found the team busy packing ( unpacking ) and repacking again, while secretly voicing prayers for good weather. A 7am departure to the airport and the usual crowd around the Tara airways counter for lukla though a common phenomena proved to be a novel experience for the trekkers. With the bulk of the team chartering a Sita Airway flight and a report of fair weather at lukla, a successful landing was expected. However, shortly after, strong winds and dense clouds, brought visibility down to zero forcing 6 members including Expedition Leader Sauraj and Senior Guide Tendi Sherpa to be grounded in Lukla. This unusually situation had to be rectified as soon as possible and thus the remaining members with much persiverence were able to charter a helicopter and depart from kathmandu. The rest of the team, having had a hearty lunch at Lukla, than proceeded to make their way to Phakding as per the original itinerary led by Assistant Guide Chirri Sherpa and Samir Patham. With towering snow capped mountains and Rhododendran trees in full bloom along the trail, the team reached Phakding at a comfortable hour of 4pm. While for most of the team, the journey was relaxed and rather uneventful, the adventure continued with the remaining members now making their way to Lukla by Chopper. With an added complication of heavy rain along with clouds, they landed just 5 minutes short of Lukla at Surkhe, which still proved a good 2 hour trek on foot. Braving the elements, they set of on foot with the hope of being able to stop along the way between Lukla and Phakding before nightfall. However, once the sun set, despite having to trek in the dark, they bravely took a call to push ahead and rejoin the team, making their way into Phakding at 9pm to the resounding sound of cheering and celebration from the entire team.

Boarding into small twin otter plane

Due to bad weather at Lukla Saurj and few member had to fly on helicopter to Lukla