Costa Mesa, Ca.

April 5, 2017

Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seat belts. Have your “E” ticket ready. If you are afraid of heights or have a weak heart, this would be a good time to step out of line and wait for your family and friends at the exit doors. Smelling salts are available for those who may feel light-headed or dizzy. Hand-held viewing devices are banned. This ride must be viewed only on a large screen in a dark room.

The video you are about to see was shot on March 18, 2017 from the front seat of a helicopter piloted by a brave aviator. It begins with some screen shots identifying iconic mountains, passes and glaciers in the Gokyo and Khumbu Valleys of the High Himalaya.** See how many you can find in the video. It ends with a landing at Lukla Airport, rated the most dangerous in the world.

Since the Everest 2017 climbing season is now underway, I have added bonus footage from my April, 2015 helicopter reconnaissance of Burke-Khang. This footage shows Everest Base Camp, the Khumbu Icefall and the Western Cwm, up close and very personal. The footage was shot just weeks before the devastating earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people in Nepal and 19 people at Everest Base Camp.

I hope you enjoy this movie as much as I enjoyed making it. Please watch this video in full screen mode.

I’m planning my next move on the great chess board of life. In case you are wondering, nothing has been ruled out.

Bill

*For context, please read my post about the 2017 expedition

**Identification completed by Dawa Steven Sherpa of Asian Trekking