Kathmandu

Astrid's flight arrived at Kathmandu Airport today. Apparently it's raining there so waiting for word if her flight to Lukla is delayed due to weather. Apparently Lukla is rated the "most challenging" airport in the world. The airport's runway is only accessible to helicopters and small fixed-wing short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) aircraft. The single runway is 1,500 feet (very short) and has a 12% gradient.  There's mountainside immediately next to one end of the runway and a steeply angled drop of about 2,000 feet at the other end of the runway into the valley below. Add thin air, high winds, cloud cover and changing visibility. Niiice.