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 Only awe-stricken
silence can come close to matching the experience of going on
a mountain flight to encounter the tallest mountain of this
earth. No wonder mountan fly bys have become a popular tourist
attraction in Nepal.Four airlines offer regular foragesinto
the snow capped peaks of the Himalaya.Mountain flights appeal
to all category of travellers. For those who are restricted by
time or other considerations from going trekking, these
flights offer panoramic view of the Himalaya in just one hour.
Even those visitors who like the rigors of a trek still don't
miss the opportunity to "conquer" the mountains in the fell
swoop.
Travellers take off from Kathmandu in the early morning for an
hour's worth of spectacular mountain scenery. As the aircraft
lifts up and heads towards the east, passengers don't have to
wait too long to fid our what's in store for them. There they
are- the mountain, as they always have been.First to their far
left visitors see Gosaithan, also called Shisha Pangma,
Standing at the majestic height of 8,013 m. Immediately to the
right of Gosaithan, there appears Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m), a
mountain that looks like the number 8 lying down and covered
with snow. To the right of Dorje Lakpa is Phurbi-Ghy-achu,
which looms over the Kathmandu Valley.
 As the plane moves along, the mountains come closer and
closer. Next on the vision is Choba-Bhamare, the smallest one
of the lot at 5,933 m but singularly stubborn as it has never
been clibmed. Then appears the mountain that is not only
prominent in sight but also in spirituality - Gauri Shanker.
Lord Shiva and his consort Gauri are said to protect this
mountain, at the proud height of 7,134 m, and the summit had a
history of unsuccessful attempts till 1979. Gauri-Shanker is
sharp and very conspicuous during the mountain flight.As the
plane moves towards the land of the rising sun, the eastern
Himalaya, a succession of glorious mountains follow. Melungtse,
a plateau-like mountain, stretches up to 7,023 m. Chugimago at
6,297 m is sill a virgin, waiting to be climbed. At 6,956 m,
Number mountain resembles a breast, the maternal source in the
sky providing pure milk to the Sherpas of the Solukhumbu. Next
is Karyolung, an intensively white mountain that at 6,511 m
gleams with the rising sun. Cho-Oyu is the eighth hightest
mountain in the World. Reaching a height of 8,201 m, it
appears stunningly beautiful from the aircraft.
Next on the menu is Gyachugkang, at at majestic height of
7,952 m, considered an extremely difficult climb. To the right
of Gyanchugkang is Pumori (7,161 m) As passengers get closer
to Everest, there's Nuptse (7,855 m) which means West Peak,
signifying its direction from Everest. Finally, there's
Everest (in the picture) (8,848 m) itself, known as Sagarmatha
by the Nepalese and Chomolungma by the Tibetans. Much has
already been written about Everest, but to actually witness it
face to face during a mountain flight is someting else. Even
while it looms there is front of the eyes, it remains an
enigma, this highest spot on earth. |
