Maximum Altitude: 2,860m

It seemed so easy, get up for an eary (5:30am) breakfast, head over to the airport less than ten minutes away, get bags weighed and checked in, catch flight to Kathmandu and relax. Unfortunately the weather had other ideas. The first flight came and went but then it stopped. As the morning wore on, the realisation dawned on more and more people that we were going nowhere and teams drifted off. Finally, we abandoned all hope and headed back to the Lodge - there's only so much airport coffee and Snickers you can eat, although our Sirdar did relieve the tedium with some lunch rolls - where was our glorious leader?

Luckily for us there were rooms at the Lodge but no sooner had we put our bags in than we were told to head back again as there were planes coming. As it turned out, it was a wasted journey and we sat around for an hour or so before giving up again and lugging our gear back to the Lodge for the second time.

Everyone was frustrated having to spend another night in the Lodge, especially when we were looking forward to the Summit Hotel but nothing to be done about it.

Another early night with another early start tomorrow so minimal unpacking.

We were back at the airport melee at 6:00am. Our Sirdar worked his magic again and the bags were soon in the loading area. It transpired that we were on Standby and heading to a rural airport (Ramechhap) where we would be met by the Summit Hotel Executive Coach.

Around 7:30 we were called out - Yes! It was going to happen. Quickly loaded we were soon away, looking back at the final view of Everest for this trip and maybe forever, who knows? Flying down through the valleys was quite surreal and landing at Ramechhap doubly so. Disembarking was quick and painless and we headed for the coach followed by some others from the flight. It amused me greatly to see their faces when our Sirdar told them the coach was private and not for them.

We set off through rural Nepal. It was quite a contrast to see the small villages with day to day life going on compared to the high altitude settlements we had grown used to over the past few weeks where there were no roads, no motorised vehicles, no smog or pollution and everything that existed did so to service the needs of the thousands of trekkers that pass through every year.

I enjoyed the drive back, although I know one or two were quite apprehensive.We stopped a few times for snacks and the loo, plus one time for lunch which comprised a ring shaped bread, curry potatoes and a boiled egg and actually very nice. Finally we arrived in Kathmandu to enjoy the spectacle of the traffic - it seemed like utter chaos with motorbikes everywhere, horns sounding, lights flashing and road traffic regulations completely ignored, but it seemed to work. Somehow we got through it and arrived at the Summit Hotel. It is so quiet there, well laid out and the staff amazing. We soon had our rooms and our bags were bought to us. I did have a minor wobbly when one of the staff couldn't find the bag I'd left at the hotel but I went with him and we soon located it.

I spent an hour slowly sorting and repacking my gear into my big bag and hand luggage, arranging clean clothes and generally faffing. Next it was time for a shower - well overdue! The shower was great and I got out feeling very relaxed and refreshed, so decided to have a second one!

I slowly dressed then went out to meet the others for a pre-dinner beer. Around 5pm we took taxis into Kathmandu to the Thamel area, which is most famous for its' shops. The journey took about twenty minutes but we were only charged Re500. The plan was to have a pizza at 'Fire and Ice' the most famous and best Pizza restaurant in Kathmandu, but beforehand, we would take a tour of the shops for last minute bargains. Most shops sold similar 'tat'. I was pleased to discover that the Kukri knife I purchased a few days ago in the mountains was almost the same price here. As we wandered around, we naturally split up. Chris and I went into a T-Shirt shop and bought souvenir T-Shirts then, bored with shopping, went into a quiet hotel for a 'Gurkha' beer before joining the others (late) for a pizza. The food was excellent, my pizza comprising mostly meat to try to make up for being a Vegetarian for the last few weeks. We all had desserts too, some electing for (very nice) pancakes. I had Tiramisu which, whilst small, was also very nice.

As we left, to our surprise and delight Chris paid the entire bill which was very generous I thought. We commandeered taxis for the same price back to the hotel and had a final beer courtesy of 'Jagged Globe'. Finally to bed reasonably early as we had a 4:30am alarm call.

The flight back via Mumbai was unexciting and typical of international flights.