We flew out of the mountain town of Lukla today into Kathmandu. Many trekkers decide to start their treks here if they are on a time constraint or don't feel like doing the long 6 day hike from Jiri.
Originally, Brian and I decided to hike in and out from Jiri because we heard that the airport in Lukla is one of the most dangerous airports in the world, but after the long and grueling hike from Jiri we decided to take a risk and fly.
I was a little terrified when I spotted the runway. It is a small landing strip that literally drops off a cliff. I imagine landing would be frightening, considering the plane only has about 200 yards to land and brake before hitting a cement wall. Taking off was equally exciting because you have the same distance before you drop off a cliff face.
Before we arrived in Lukla we found out that people had been stranded for a week and a half waiting for the weather to clear and for flights to come in. Luckily, the weather cleared a couple days before we got there and we were able to take off on time.
The day before our flight a Dutch couple informed us that a plane from Lukla had crashed a week before killing all 20 people on the flight. Supposedly a fog came in covering the tips of the peaks and the plane clipped one of them.
All in all the flight was okay, a little nauseating, but we are alive and that is what's most important.
Originally, Brian and I decided to hike in and out from Jiri because we heard that the airport in Lukla is one of the most dangerous airports in the world, but after the long and grueling hike from Jiri we decided to take a risk and fly.
I was a little terrified when I spotted the runway. It is a small landing strip that literally drops off a cliff. I imagine landing would be frightening, considering the plane only has about 200 yards to land and brake before hitting a cement wall. Taking off was equally exciting because you have the same distance before you drop off a cliff face.
Before we arrived in Lukla we found out that people had been stranded for a week and a half waiting for the weather to clear and for flights to come in. Luckily, the weather cleared a couple days before we got there and we were able to take off on time.
The day before our flight a Dutch couple informed us that a plane from Lukla had crashed a week before killing all 20 people on the flight. Supposedly a fog came in covering the tips of the peaks and the plane clipped one of them.
All in all the flight was okay, a little nauseating, but we are alive and that is what's most important.
Wholly crap, that would have scared the crap out of me. I'm glad you guys are ok.
ReplyDeleteI think we are all thrilled to hear from you guys, the discussions are very vivid!! I can't wait to skype next week!!
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