Reflections from just another traveler: Lukla to Namche, Take 2

I wasn't sure I would have anything to say in a blog this time. After all, I've taken this trip before. But sure enough, I have tons to say!

Arriving at the domestic airport was very familiar. They are building a new terminal, but we were still in the old, ratty one. This time, I knew the drill, and Kerin our guide was on hand to talk to the gate agents. We hurried through checkin and security, only to wait. How long? No one knew. The Kathmandu airport was closed due to weather. So we waited, and shivered (our down coats were checked) and made friends with other Trekkers. And suddenly, about three hours later, it was suddenly time to board and we were off.

I got to sit up front this time, along with my new friend Sabi. We got to see our incredibly skilled pilots maneuver this tiny aircraft straight up into the mountains, over ridges that we could practically reach out and touch. The video of the landing will make it seem much worse than it was - it was just a bit bumpy. Then we pulled up to the gate, hopped out, and we were THERE!

Walking through Lukla and then heading downhill out of town was so familiar and wonderful. Crisp air, rocky path under foot, and mountains all around. About 30 minutes into the trip I was watching the views more than my feet, and fell with a twisted ankle. Oops. But a few minutes later I was able to hobble, and a few after that I was walking well.

We stayed in Phakding our first night, the traditional first stop. After a reasonably good sleep, we got underway again. Day 2 the path was less uneven, and more up and down. We stopped for a pot of milk tea in Benkar, and I got this picture of Adam.

By lunch, we made it to Jorsale, just inside Sagarmatha park, and at the foot of the Namche hill. Adam was tired, so we decided to stop for the day. It turned out to be a terrific decision. We found a cozy lodge right next to the rushing Dudi Kosi river. Our little gabled rooms faced the river and were filled with the sound of the river all night. Adam and I snuggled up in our sleeping bags to watch tv on my iPad together, then warmed up by the wood fire at dinner. Altogether a lovely stop.

The next morning we tackled the hill. 1/2 hour of walking along the river was followed by 1/2 hour of steep stone steps, then the last hanging bridge of the day. We'd gotten pretty blasé about the sway and the rushing river beneath there bridges, but this one is both longer and higher than the others, and I was glad to put it behind us. We still had another 2 1/2hours of steady climbing to reach Namche, with no place for a tea or lunch break. Adam was beat as we stmbled into town, but he made it. Hotel Namche is fortunately close by. We got the best " common" rooms in the hotel, with big sunny Windows. Lunch and showers perked everyone up.