Relative Something

As our local temperatures moderate, and we enjoy a brief respite from the biting freeze of the past week, I am feeling some appreciation for what a break in the weather can mean to others around the world. The news out of Nepal lately is revealing another bout of bad weather for flying up to the most dangerous airport in the world. It has again trapped tourists, and a group of climbers who had reached the summit of Everest, that are waiting to get back to Kathmandu.

I remember well the feeling of waiting in the Kathmandu airport for our turn to board a flight on one of the small Twin Otter type planes that fly up to Lukla. There is palpable excitement mixed with anxiety throughout the terminal as groups are quickly ushered out on the tarmac to board their flight. Then there can be a long time when nothing seems to be happening. In April of 2009, one group ahead of us ended up coming back when clouds suddenly obscured Lukla, forcing the pilots to turn around. My friends and I waited most of that day before being told to return to our hotel for an additional night. We would get up and try the same thing on the following day, fortunately, that time meeting with success.

But waiting on the way in is a lot different than on the way out. Going in, we had the planned contingency days to use up, in case of problems. Coming out, we had no such luxury. I doubt many trekkers do. You use all the extra time you can to acclimatize to the extreme elevation. By the time you return to Lukla after hiking or climbing, you are going to be worn out and very ready to return to the comforts of home, and probably out of days and short of money. On our trip, I recall a very strong desire for everything to work out as planned. I must have projected that desire with healthy imaging which helped to assure our success. That morning was clear and sunny for our departure. We experienced no delay.

My heart goes out to those tourists who find themselves socked in for days upon days in Lukla when they are wanting to be going home. It’s a great place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to be trapped there!