The I'm grounded in [airport] thread...

[DrA]

Pretty self-explanatory really!

Currently stuck at Lukla airport in Nepal waiting for a flight back to Kathmandu. Initially delayed due to the weather, but I expect a "your flight has been cancelled" announcement soon. I'm bored. Been trekking for the last few weeks and had no internet, anything interesting happen back in Oz?

 

[bass_ke]

Afraid not!

I love Nepal, I haven't been trekking around the Everest side but have spent some time trekking in me Annapurna region, I'm really itching to head back!

 

[DrA]

Cancelled. Joy.

You know what I need? A fully functional raw photo editor for my ipad.

 

[bass_ke]

Cancelled. Joy.

You know what I need? A fully functional raw photo editor for my ipad.

I know, it's the only thing that keeps me lugging my laptop around on extended trips!

Enjoy an Everest beer, some dhal and a couple of momo's!

 

[russellferrier]

We had our flight cancelled(years ago now) due to a cracked windscreen. They herded us on board so we could be fed while they organised hotels. The new windscreen and technician to fix it had to fly in from BKK.
On arrival at the hotel(name forgotten now but 4 or 5 star) we all rushed for our rooms and the showers which for some of us would be the first hot shower/wash of any kind in some weeks of trekking!

 

[DrA]

Hot shower? lol. Been about 3 weeks. It's winter and everyone's pipes are frozen. The only bathing I've done since leaving Kathmandu is getting a rinse bucket of warm water and a washcloth every 4-5 days (many places I couldn't even get that). Hence the reason I'm a bit cranky about the flight being cancelled. I really wanted a hot shower!

 

[DrA]

I know, it's the only thing that keeps me lugging my laptop around on extended trips!

Enjoy an Everest beer, some dhal and a couple of momo's!

The airline that did my Kathmandu-Lukla flight was pedantic about weighing both check-in and carry-o at the check-in counter. 15kg total combinrd allowed. With the clothing and climbing gear I required, I had zero chance of getting a laptop in there. I'm looking at buying an 11" Macbook Air for future travels. I understand it's not much heavier than my iPad 3 anyway. Need to investigate when I get home.

Also, I don't drink, am gluten intolerant and vegan. I am so over eating dal bhat right now.

This trip was awesome, but I really want to be back in the city right now.

 

[legroom]

The airline that did my Kathmandu-Lukla flight was pedantic about weighing both check-in and carry-o at the check-in counter. 15kg total combinrd allowed.....

Does that mean you had to leave some stuff at Kathmandu as one would expect you to have more than 15kg leaving Oz ?


Ps: son is still up there trekking, into his 5th day now

 

[DrA]

Does that mean you had up leave some stuff at Kathmandu as one would expect you to have more than 15kg leaving Oz ?


Ps: son is still up there trekking, into his 5th day now

Yes. Left a suitcase in Kathmandu hotel. Got another week of non-trekking/non-climbing travel when I get back to KTM, so needed more than I could take trekking. My crampons weigh enough on their own.

We did Gokyo through to EBC over Cho La Pass, with some simple climbing along the way (would have loved to have climbed Island Peak, but couldn't find anyone prepared to take us at this time of year). The weather was horrific on the pass when we did it, and only getting worse, so I hope it's not on your son's itinerary.

 

[markis10]

News of the passing of a couple of Italian tourists in Kathmandu overnight, seems they made sure their hotel room had no drafts and their heater killed them.

 

[DrA]

Still here. If the flight is delayed more than one more hour, I'm chartering the heli back to KTM. Should be an experience at any rate.

 

[russellferrier]

Still here. If the flight is delayed more than one more hour, I'm chartering the heli back to KTM. Should be an experience at any rate.

We chartered the rescue helo(booked in advance with gold amex) from Kyanjin Gompa in the Langtang Valley.
Two short packed hang gliders strapped to the skids and three smelly but happy pax inside. Incredible flight at 12,900' AMSL. Late morning so the cloud is trying to shut us down. 5 minutes at hover just off the deck while the pilots check if they can actually lift us and then 45 minutes of ridge hopping at cloud base back to KTH.

 

[Mollycram]

I've done that trek to EBC over Cho La Pass and onto the Lakes....and have flown out of Lukla airport. Would much rather a flight get cancelled out of there due to poor weather than them take the risk and fly you into one of the many, many big mountains in the area. Though also know the desperation for a hot shower after 17 days of trekking....

 

[DrA]

I've done that trek to EBC over Cho La Pass and onto the Lakes....and have flown out of Lukla airport. Would much rather a flight get cancelled out of there due to poor weather than them take the risk and fly you into one of the many, many big mountains in the area. Though also know the desperation for a hot shower after 17 days of trekking....

Yeah, I know. And I would never want them to fly in such poor weather.

But damn the cost of chartering that heli was so worth it for the hot shower!!!

Back in Kathmandu with hot water, flushing toilets and all the electricity I want! At least until the load shedding starts again...lol

 

[legroom]

Are you staying in the airport or in one of those hotels nearby ?

? Hot showers in those hotels

Might calm the need for the heli charter

And save some $$, too

(How much would that be approx?)

 

[DrA]

Are you staying in the airport or in one of those hotels nearby ?

? Hot showers in those hotels

Might calm the need for the heli charter

And save some $$, too

(How much would that be approx?)

Problems with the showers up there in winter. All the pipes literally frozen up. Only place I got a hot shower in almost 3 weeks was in Namche Bazar, and that lasted about 2-3 minutes before going freezing cold.

Cost of chartering a 5 seat heli? $2000 USD.
Having a hot shower? Priceless!

Split between 4 (I rounded up some others desperate to get out), it's not so bad. And I will get some money refunded from the cancelled flight.

 

[legroom]

.... Having a hot shower? Priceless!... .

Reminded me of the (?) MasterCard campaign

 

[DrA]

Reminded me of the (?) MasterCard campaign

Shamelessly stolen

 

[legroom]

Just to cheer you up a little

I googled 'priceless' MasterCard and found this picture of Taylor Swift

http://www.mastercardjokes.com/wp-content/uploads/taylor-swift-teddy-bear.jpg

 

[DrA]

Today I am grounded in Kathmandu. Fun times!

Also, are people really that stupid? The number of people I've heard asking dumb questions about the weather this morning is ridiculous. Yes, let me take out my super awesome magic 8 ball weather predictor...