I took this photo from a path a short distance behind the runway. It really is this short! The flight attendant provided cotton wool. The pilot revved the engines until it seemed they would explode then we shot off the edge of the cliff into space.

Entrance to Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park. This is a restricted area and there are curfews on movements after dark.

My permit to trek in Sagarmatha N.P. These now cost $A20 a visit. Mountain climbers pay significantly more than trekkers.

Remote home on the banks of the "milky river". The Dudh Khosi river is fuelled by glacial melt.

The main street in Namche Bazaar. Most trekkeers and mountain climbers spend some time in Namche acclimatising. Yaks poke their noses into the shops.

This remote village is perched at about 4,000 metres. It is not a popular stop for trekkers but features the Sir Edmund Hilary School (see Trip Notes).

Prayer wheels come in many shapes, colours and sizes. This huge wooden wheel is located at the Khumjung Gompa (monastery). It took some work to get it spinning. Incidentally... this monastery houses a yeti head in a glass case.

This is typical of the rooms in lodges along the Everest trekking route. The beds are short and narrow. A sleeping bag and torch are essential. Some lodges have electric lights (usually without bulbs) or can supply candles.

This chap was quite happy to pose for a photo. I found him in a paddock near Khumjung. Yaks are soft, gentle creatures.

This was a very small village the trail passed through. Children would run up and touch my fingers or clothes as I walked through the villages. They didn't seem as bold with the men. Perhaps foreign women are more intriguing? I estimate the ratio of male to female trekkers was about four to one.

My trekking companions and crew relaxing in the sun by the milky river. I had yak cheese bread for lunch.

Mt Everest and Mt Lhotse on a glorious, clear day. This picture was taken from the cockpit by a pilot from about two nautical miles away. It does not do justice to the mountain! It was worth getting up at 5am to make the mountain flight.

The Buddha Air jet used for scenic mountain flights. There are rows of single seats down each side and passengers are invited into the cockpit to view the peaks. I received a certificate when we disembarked that says: "I did not climb Mt Everest... but touched it with my heart!"