To reach the summit of Everest
you must land on Runway 24
in Lukla, Nepal.

There is no other way.

It has a cliff at one end.
A mountainside at the other.
It is only
one thousand
five hundred
feet long.

It is the most dangerous runway
in the world.

But it is the gateway
to dreams.

To reach Everest
you must walk the Khumbu Glacier.
But first
you must scale the death trap that is the Khumbu Icefall.

To earn the chance to do either
you must land on Runway 24.
You must commit.

Runway 24 is the step beyond common reality.
Every prior experience
is shared with those who are content
to live on ordinary ground.


The flight from Kathmandu takes 35 minutes.
The weather changes
quickly.

When the opportunity for flight presents itself
you must take it.
Or remain below.

You must commit.

There is no other way.

The light changes on the summit of Everest
from minute to minute.
No two climbers ever

see exactly the same view
from the height.


As sure as the clouds
of ice crystals rise
on the ragged winds
like a plume
from the summit of Everest

it is there
for the taking.

To attain
you must commit.

You must land on Runway 24.

–Michael Graves 10/2/15
Senior Poet
Al Da Beatz Magazine

NOTE: The Khumbu Icefall lies at the head of the Khumbu Glacier, on the Nepali slopes of Mount Everest, not far above Base Camp. The icefall is one of the most dangerous stages of the South Col route to Everest's summit. It is estimated that the glacier advances 3 to 4 feet down the mountain every day. Large crevasses open with little warning. The towers of ice found at the icefall have been known to collapse suddenly, sending huge blocks of ice tumbling down the glacier. They can range from the size of cars to the size of 12-story buildings.

This poem is dedicated to those who have landed.

The photo was taken by Dr. Hema Patel and she has my heartfelt thanks for allowing me to use it with this piece.