Brace yourself...we're flying into Lukla

EBC Trek Day 1: an early start as we left Kathmandu at 3:30 am to make the 4 hour drive to Ramechhap to catch our flight to Lukla. The airport in KTM is undergoing upgrades, so they are redirecting the Lukla flights to/from a more remote airstrip. The airport near Ramechhap, a tiny little single runway, is in a beautiful valley so it made for a pretty flight this morning as we followed the river toward the high mountains. The flight to Lukla has a reputation of being a bit scary at times, though today’s flight was clear and smooth. Seeing those gigantic peaks through the front windows of the plane is always so damn cool. Our hike today was relatively easy, though adjusting to the altitude requires a slow and steady pace. We are staying the evening with friends who own a lodge in a village called Phakding. I have been staying with them since my first visit to the Solo Khumbu in 2004 and it’s always great to catch up with them. Time for sleep - a big day tomorrow as we climb to Namche Bazaar. If we get lucky with the weather, we’ll have a chance to catch our first glimpse of Everest on the way 🏔  If you ever get the chance, take the Lukla flight but brace yourself for the ride of your life.