On 22nd March 2010, I had the opportunity to accompany Olive Green Beret on a visit to Nepal. Every experience of the six days sojourn in the small Himalayan kingdom remains etched in my memory.I give below one of the most unique experiences that I had……an exclusive mountain flight to Mount Everest!
A hundred divine epochs would not suffice to describe all the marvels of the Himalayas.
Hindu Proverb
I’m on board the Everest Express, a special mountain flight which will take me on an exclusive tour of the Majestic Himalayas. It’s a date to remember and I’m all agog with excitement as I wait impatiently for the flight to take off. Olive Green Beret couldn’t join me on this historical trip as he had to fly to Dharan the same day, on work.
I’m touched by OG Beret’s gesture for, having heard about this special flight, he ensured a booking, for me to experience this spectacular journey.
“What made you think about this trip?” I asked him.
“Well, you’re so passionate about nature and I saw your childlike enthusiasm as you spotted the dazzling peaks on the flight from Delhi to Kathmandu. How could I deprive you of this once-in-a-lifetime experience?” he said.
“But….isn’t it a little too expensive?” I asked, already feeling quite guilty for burning a hole in his pocket with all the French chiffons, crepes and semi-precious stones that I had so lavishly spent on at Bishaal Bazaar in Kathmandu.
“What’s a little money when compared to the thrill of seeing the highest peak in the world?” he laughed.
“I’m really touched,” I said, as I gave him a warm hug. “Unfortunately, I’ll never be able to fight with you, ever after, for all you’ve done,” I chuckled.
The sound of the turbo engines bring me out of my reverie and I’m back into the moment as I wait for the small Jetstream aircraft to take off. It’s a Yeti Airlines flight, the only one in Nepal to operate the British Aerospace Jetstream 41 aircraft. We are 21 passengers in all and each has an assigned window seat. I’m on 5A, which is on the left of the plane. The beautiful ai rhostess gives us a pamphlet which shows us the flight plan and a panorama of the peaks that we will view.
I shiver in excitement and fear too, for I’m apprehensive of the turbulence that we may encounter. I’ve never really been a great one for flying and every flight that I have to undertake keeps me on tenterhooks. I also apprehend bad weather conditions which can play spoilsport, leading to a cancellation of the flight. But, I pray for divine intervention and I’m rewarded with the most magical experience of my life.
As we rise above Kathmandu and fly towards the east, I don’t have to wait too long to get my first glimpse of the Himalayan Range. We’re cruising at 25,000 ft. as the Langtang Urung peak at 7234 m (23,734ft) looms ahead. My tiny digital camera swings into action and I gasp at the majestic sight in front of me. The Choba Barnare peak, a treacherous and stubborn peak at 5933 m is next on the menu. This is one peak which, although the smallest in height, has never been conquered. Very soon I can spot the Gauri-Shankar twin peaks (23,406 ft) jutting out in all their glory. This rugged mountain is unique, for while one peak is snow capped, the other is bare of snow! Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati are said to protect this mountain. I’ve heard that after many unsuccessful attempts, this peak was finally scaled somewhere in 1979.
I’m tempted to take a peek at the ground below for I’m curious to see what’s there too. It’s a heavenly sight - I’m above the clouds and there are glaciers, rivers, and gorges below me.
I quickly take my eyes off and focus my camera on the range. Melangtse, a plateau like mountain is next in sight, standing tall at 7023m. Cho-Oyu the eighth highest mountain in the world at a height of 8201 m, appears stunningly beautiful from the aircraft.
In the distance one peak however, towers above the rest and I’m filled with wonder. I can hear my heartbeat go thud…thud…thud as I stare in front of me. It’s unbelievable, but true. I’m finally face to face with the highest peak in the world!
My heart skips a beat and I click furiously as I shift from auto mode to video mode. I want to capture every inch of the panorama in front of me and almost stop breathing because of the spectacular view. The aircraft draws in closer to Everest and the air hostess ushers each passenger one by one into the cockpit. This is even more exciting, for once inside the cockpit, we can get to photograph the magnificent view without any obstruction and carry home some exclusive pictures.
We are now just 5 nautical miles away from the enigma that is Everest and as I look in amazed wonder at the sheer beauty, my eyes fill with tears. I can’t get enough of this sight and want to capture it in my memory for ever. I see God’s hand in the perfect picture of the glorious peak as a tiny wisp of cloud so artistically placed near its summit, just remains frozen, and I’m sure it will be a memory that will last me a lifetime! I send up a silent prayer of gratitude to the Almighty for giving me this good fortune to view His creation and I am humbled. I mentally thank OG Beret also and bless him a thousand times, feeling so fortunate to have a soul mate who understands that it’s the little things that bring so much joy!
It’s my turn inside the cockpit and I’m shuttling between looking at the wondrous sight, listening to the co-pilot’s commentary and clicking photographs. I’m scared I’ll miss the actual one and maybe focus on Lhotse instead which is closest at 27,940 ft. But, I’m already one with Sagarmatha (as the Everest is known in local parlance) and I’m confident I won’t miss it.
By the end of the cockpit experience, I’m ready to kiss the co-pilot, so emotionally high-strung I am! I return to my seat albeit a little reluctantly, giving way to the next passenger as I don’t want him to be deprived in any way.
The aircraft banks slightly to the right as it takes a turn near the Makalu peak (27,766ft). It is the ‘return to base’ flight path. I can’t seem to get enough and look longingly and nostalgically at what I’m leaving behind.
The air hostess comes around and this time she gives each of us a certificate for having experienced the magic of the Everest Express. I clutch my two mementos to my heart – my boarding pass and my certificate and realization strikes suddenly.
Just as the lofty peaks of the Himalayas have been conquered by mountaineers of all races, in this one hour of breathtaking scenic beauty, I have experienced a personal victory – for I have conquered my fear of flying.
I may never touch Mt. Everest physically in this lifetime, but….I sure have touched it with my heart!
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