Maybe it was the blessing we received from the Hindu ascetics during our day of sightseeing in Kathmandu, but whatever the reason, luck was with us even when the weather wasn't. After rising at 4am to catch the first flight to Lukla for our trek to...
At 6am, after two nights at 17,000 ft, Sam's oxygen level had dropped precariously low. He was stumbling, couldn't walk, and his skin was blue. I knew immediately this was very serious. It had snowed lightly through the night and the sky remained as white as the...
Video: Helicopter Take-Off http://youtu.be/sr4vm_tKr18 Helicopters come and go overhead each day, mostly for emergency evacuations. We happened to catch this one simply ferrying people back to Kathmandu. Ama Dablam in the background and a beautiful view towards...
Lukla airport is the gateway to the Everest region. Considered one of the most dangerous airstrips in the world, it is situated at about 9,200ft (2800m) and is accessible only to twin otters using visual flight rules (not radar). As many as 50 flights per day arrive...
As a trekking guide, when the day first comes that a client needs a helicopter evacuation, you can only hope that you're ready.....and you had better be, because the decisions in those moments can be life or death. I've seen plenty of sick people in the mountains of...