SAFA Skysailor Magazine

10 SKY SAILOR September | October 2023 Our one permit covered both Ken and Marcus, but also included Chinese pilot Li Shengtao and Nirmal Purja (Nimms), famous for climbing all 14 of the 8000m plus peaks within seven months (many would have seen his film ‘14 Peaks’). Li Shengtao successfully launched from the South Col and landed at Base Camp (BC), while Nimms was not able to attempt his flight. Again, Sano Babu was in- strumental in negotiating with the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation on our behalf, but reported that it is very unlikely any future paragliding permits would be issued due to the complexity of negotiations and the speculation of the impact imposed by grounding the very lucrative local helicopter industry – commonly called the Khumbu Taxis. On 5 May 2023, after a 3am start in -20ºC, Ken and Marcus left Island Peak BC (5200m) in good clear weather and were on the Island Peak Summit (6165m) at 8:30am. Originally, it was thought that a launch may be possible from the summit, however, the knife-edge ice ridge leading up to the small peak, just big enough for five climbers, proved this would not be possible, even if the permit had been received in time. Nevertheless, the impeccable mountain views from the summit certainly made the climb worthwhile and memorable. After a rest and relaxation period at lower altitude, Ken and Marcus returned to Lobuche Peak High Camp on 14 May. News that the Flying the Khumbu near Everest in 2022 Flying the Khumbu Glacier, Nepal Climbing Lobuche