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Mountain
Flights |
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See
the Himalaya from up close ;For those
who are restricted by time or other
considerations from going trekking,
there are mountain flights that offer
a panoramic encounter with the highest
peaks on earth. 
The plane departs from Kathmandu and
flies alongside the Himalaya to give
you eye-level views of the snow peaks
and then brings you back in one hour.
Cruising close to the awesome massifs
of rock and ice, the flight presents
a mind-boggling sight.
As the aircraft takes off and heads
towards the east, you don't have to wait
too long to find out what's in store for
you. First to you're far left, you see
Gosaithan, also called Shisha Pangma,
standing at the majestic height of 8,013m.
immediately to the right of Gosaithan,
there appears Dorje Lhakpa (6,966m), a
mountain that looks like the number *
lying down and covered with snow. To the
right of Dorjee Lakpa is Phurbi-Chyachu,
which looms over the Kathmandu Valley.
As the plane glides along, the mountains
come closer and closer. Next on the vision
is Choba-Bhamare, the smallest one of the
lot at 5,933m but singularly stubborn as
it has never been climbed. Then appears
the mountain that is not only prominent in
sight but also in spirituality -
Gauri-Shankar. Lord Shiva (Shankar) and
his consort Gauri are said to protect this
mountain, at the proud height of 7,134m,
and the summit had a history of
unsuccessful attempts till 1979.
Gauri-Shankar 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,o23m. Chugimago at
6,297m is still a virgin waiting to be
climbed. At 6,956m, Number mountain
resembles a breast, the maternal source in
the sky providing pure milk to the Sherpas
of the Solukhumbu. Next is Karyolung, an
intensely white mountain that at 6,511m
gleams with the rising sun. Choyu is the
sixth highest mountain in the world.
Reaching a height of 8,201m, it appears
stunningly beautiful the aircraft.
Next on the menu is Gyachungkang, At a
majestic height of 7,952m, considered an
extremely difficult climb. To the right of
Gychungkang is Pumori (7,161m). As you get
closer to Everest, ther's Nupste (7855m),
which means West peak, signifying its
direction from Everest. Finally there's
Everest (8,848m) 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 something else. Even while it
looms there in front of the eyes, it
remains an enigma, this highest spot on
earth. |
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