Flight to Lukla
The Everest Marathon

The World’s Most Dangerous Airport

May 17, 2019 /

Flying into Lukla

Lukla. It’s the place every dream of Everest starts. It’s also infamous for having what’s believed to be the world’s most dangerous airport. The impossibly short runway, surrounded by high mountains makes it so that only small planes are able to take off and land there. The 20 minute flight is infamous for rattling even the steeliest of nerves. I would be lying if I said we weren’t all a little bit nervous. We were also excited. Excited to get our adventure underway. And definitely quite excited to get away from the lodge in Ramechap we had the “pleasure” of staying in the night before. But that’s another story.

Arriving at the landing strip we would be departing from at 5:30am, we were met by the already quite busy outdoor check-in counters, where someone weighs your lugagge to make sure it meets with regulations. They then tag the bags and give them back (say what? 🤷🏻‍♀️), which was fantastic. All those layers of clothing we had stuffed with our heaviest items,  planning to wear them on the plane? We just put them right back in our backpacks. And were promptly on our merry way. 

Flight to Lukla

I must say, the flight itself was not nearly as harrowing as it had been built up to be. We had nearly perfect weather. Very little turbulence, though what we did get, was definitely not pleasant. Still, None of the multi-hour delays which often happen due to ever-changing mountain conditions. We were lucky.

Once on the ground in Lukla, it almost didn’t seem real. There we were, surrounded by the mighty Himalayas. We were finally here. Finally about to embark on the official start of our Everest Marathon adventure, which, if all goes according to plan, includes 10 days hiking to Everest Base Camp, two days camping at base camp, race day, and a further two days of hiking to get down the mountain and back to Lukla. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This is a journey I intend to savor ever step of the way, starting with the “Swiss” mountain hideaway we’re spending tonight at.

Chicago news gal with an addiction to pro-cycling, Ironman, running, travel and food. Always in search of a new adventure, way to torture myself.

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