6th & 7th April 2008

The first dispatch from Team 1 has come in at 10:30 this morning. The original scheduled flight on 6th April had to return to Kathmandu as it was unable to land due to unfavourable weather conditions. Basanta has sent in the following dispatch of their arrival at Lukla Airport:

"The Team 1 of ICIMOD Eco Everest arrives in Lukla."

Lukla Airport is at an elevation of 2,860m and is situated in the town of Lukla in eastern Nepal. The airport is the starting point for trekkers climbing Mount Everest. The paved tarmac is only accessible to helicopters and small fixed wing short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft such as Twin Otters. There is about a 700-metre (2,000 ft) angled drop at the end of the runway to the valley far below.

 "We are all set to go to Monjo."

Monjo at a height of 2804 m is a 2.5 hours' trek. It is the gateway to the Sagarmatha National Park.