Yet another Lukla adventure

[HaraldG 559]

Hi,

after our forum member Bernd posted stunning pictures from a flight to Lukla these days, I wanted to continue this adventure. I tried to reach Everest Base camp with a quite old, but still thrustworthy helicopter, the Mi-2. Will I see Mt. Everest? Remember: The Mi-2 has a service ceiling of slightly more than 13,000 feet, while the Everest Base Camp has an elevation of more than 17,000 ft. No good prospects...

 

I won't bore you with the engines start procedure in the Mi-2.

 

 

Up into the thin air (Lukla has some 9,300 ft)

 

 

What's behind the cloud?

 

And this is the moment I was scared of. Have to return, the heli refuses to climb further. This is even before the tongue of Khumbu glacier. Note Ama Dablam peak in the background.

 

Returning

 

And there it is: Behind the Nuptse wall one can see the top of Mt. Everest

 

Nuptse wall, Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam

 

And finally Cho Oyu in a side valley

 

Landing at Syangboche field.

 

 

Have fun,

Harald

[bernd1151 5,854]

Outstanding shots, my dear Harald. I love them all !!

 

Me thinks I have to give Mt. Everest another try. After all, HL had asked for it  :wink:

[HaraldG 559]

Thanks Bernd! You just shouldn't use the Mi-2, but Mi-8s seem to reach Everest base camp quite regularly.

[HLJames 2,568]

What makes Everest so difficult is the peak is in the jet stream where wind speeds can reach 200mph....223 climbers have died there...great looking screenshots!

 

HLJAMES

[HaraldG 559]

Thanks HLJames for commenting!

... and then of course the lack of oxygene. These altitudes aren't made as humans' habitat.