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Not today.......

20/2/2013

7 Comments

 
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Nepal trekkers nightmare
So "it's an Adventure, not a holiday" right? 
I love the Everest Base Camp trek, but boy...that Lukla continues to stress me.
We awoke this morning at 4am to a beautiful calm and cloudless Kathmandu morning sky. Our hopes were up as all 9 of us bundled into 3 taxis for our trip to the airport for our "scheduled" 6.15am flight. By 7am, the sun was up and burning off the little bit of haze around Kathmandu that had prevented our departure. We were happy to await the announcement of our boarding. 
Regretfully we were still awaiting this announcement at 11.50am...!! We then got the announcement that all trekkers fear, "All flights to Lukla cancelled due weather". Team not happy. Long faces. Asking me if I have any influential contacts...! My answer of "no" is barely accepted. So a long and frustrating morning by all, and Kathmandu domestic airport lacks ...........well..........just about everything...! While Kathmandu was blazed in Sunshine, Lukla was unfortunately hidden in cloud/fog. 

Into the taxis and back into Thamel, re-check in to the Kathmandu Guest House and try to keep the spirits and confidence of the team high for our next opportunity tomorrow morning. We still have time up our sleeve so one or two (possibly even three) cancellations won't impact us. I've ran a few alternative treks by the team just in case we fail to get out, but they are insistent on Everest Base Camp. The Vic team have accepted that these things happen, and the QLDrs have experienced these frustrations many times throughout their travels. 

The 4 QLDrs have opted to stay in a nearby lodge to save some money for the remainder of their ongoing travels throughout Asia (KGH is not the cheapest in the area). We will be catching up with them for dinner tonight. The 9 of us are getting along very well.   
We have all taken a liking to Pumpernickel Bakery which is just 30mtrs from the Guest House. In fact, I fear some of that pre-departure training may just be starting to come apart..! We need to start the trek...!!!

As with last year, there are moments of gut splitting laughter within the team. Sue and Greg being the instigators. (What is the common link with this year and last year...?). Ok, time to leave this internet cafe and hunt them down to see what mischief they are up to. Wish us luck for our 2nd attempt tomorrow.   

7 Comments
Brian@Weeroona
20/2/2013 01:09:35 pm

Isn't that just typical, sunny in Kathmandu and cloudy in Lukla.
But the pressure is really piled on when you are stuck in Lukla and your international flight date is fast approaching.
Do they still use those antiquated Russian helicopters? Now they are an adventurous end to a trek!
The forecast is for warmer in Lukla tomorrow which may mean less cloud clearing early. Clear skies for Kathmandu so it looks like a better chance tomorrow.

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Peter C
20/2/2013 02:43:51 pm

Definitely puts a stooged fishing trip into perspective Mr Latchford!! must be frustrating, still the weather report looks better for tomorrow and after that it is tipped to get even better. Good luck for tomorrow.

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Leigh
20/2/2013 08:33:19 pm

Hmmm! Sounds like patience is being called for. It is also the key to golf and fishing. The recent fishing trip Dave was a howling ( not crying) failure. Conversation great, fishing dismal ( barely a bite - no fish) - flat sea no wind. Have a freezer full of bait. Hope you are able to fly out tomorrow and achieve what you have set out to do. Bakeries are a test for keeping the sense of smell in check. Stay encouraged

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John B
21/2/2013 01:10:20 am

Hope you manage to get a flight soon. You need a lucky Scottt there to make things go to plan. I will send you some lucky Scottttish Heather to help get the Treking gods on your side.
Goodluck for tomorrow's flight!

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Wayne
21/2/2013 02:12:28 am

No problems. There is plenty to do at Kat airport while you are waiting. Watch other planes fly out, watch the people coming and going, watch planes fly in, watch people drinking that awful coffee, watch planes taxiing. Bill will be impressed. Did you pay your Nepal departure tax even though you are not leaving Nepal?

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Rod B
21/2/2013 09:36:50 am

Sorry to hear the weather isn't playing it's part for you, hopefully you can fly out tomorrow or else you may have too start the trek from kathmandu that would put a few miles in the legs.Best of luck and fingers crossed.

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barbara
22/2/2013 12:36:55 am

Great news,hope all well

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