Our training consisted mostly of fattening up on Thai food in Kathmandu.

After a couple hours delay because of the morning fog, we were finally able to board the the 16-seat Twin Otter airplane in Kathmandu.

The mountain airport in Lukla has a short sloped runway at an altitude of 9,100 feet (2800m). It was our gateway to the Everest region.

We were eager to start walking but we did wait for the yaks to clear to the trail.

A few curious Sherpa children on the trail side.

The porters are the life line of the Everest region. They carry in just about everything from bottles of Tuborg beer to cases of instant noodles on their backs.

We were able to lighten our load by losing a little money at a roadside outdoor casino.

Liyang crossing one of the many suspension bridges.

Ray and Liyang stopping in a tea house for a morning snack.

Leo in a traffic jam on the way to the Saturday market at Namche bazaar.