One of the nicest parts of the expedition is the time we spend in Kathmandu. What a bustling town this is, filled with cheerful and friendly people, colorful marketplaces, amazing historic sites, and one incredible 5-star hotel, the Hyatt Regency. The exchange rate of USD $1.00 for 77.00 Nepali Rupees is most favorable and this translates into all-day-long cab service for little over $30.00. This is particularly good if one wants to see the various historical parts of Kathmandu, including the stupas and the old town. Local delicacies such as fresh watermelon juice, tandoori chicken tikka and paratha taste delicious and are filling, while inexpensive ($8.00 for a complete meal). In two days’ time, we leave Kathmandu for the high Himalaya. Last-minute preparations, such as buying additional gear at one of the many climbing stores, are keeping us busy. Soon, however, we’ll feel like we’re on a vacation, at least until we reach base camp.
Kathmandu
April 4th, 2009SEAL Training Week 1
January 22nd, 2009I’m well into my first week of training with the Navy SEALs. Two of their
number are good friends of mine and work well together to make sure the
workout I get is actually relevant to mountaineering. Immediately on my
arrival at their base in Coronado, Calif. they made a number of adjustments
to my lifestyle. The SEALs have this unspoken rule against complaining.
So I cannot tell you that every muscle in my body has, over the last few
days, become increasingly sore. Nor am I able to confirm that every piece
of tissue that might otherwise have been a muscle -were it not for a
life-long lack of exercise- is periodically in a state of spasm as a result
of a great number of exotic “exercises” designed to improve my general
fitness. What I can tell you is that my body very evidently has a number
of muscle-like tissue formations that I have not known to exist prior to my
time with the Navy SEALs. They (the SEALs) are a jolly group and
camaraderie runs high among them, which makes it a lot more fun to acquire
a level of fitness that I have not reached in the 29 years before coming
out here. Unfortunately, I did have a break-down tonight. After my
training was over, and ahead of dinner, I raced to a nearby chocolate
factory and secured a 1/2 lb. bag of the delectable stuff. My two friends
who are making sure I train safely will learn of this regression tomorrow
morning as I now feel somewhat guilty about my lack of self-control.
The clock is ticking
January 8th, 2009We’re off to a good start. Ran Fiennes gave me his blessings as expedition patron and Will Cross has agreed to be my climbing partner. I’m excited because Will and I are practically neighbors in Pittsburgh, which makes further planning a lot easier. Of all the potential sponsors we’re contacting, I’m most eager to hear back from the chocolate manufacturers. Last year, the only food that kept me going was chocolate and because Ran eats even more of the stuff than I do, my supply dwindled long before the summit attempt. I’ve learned my lesson and have asked for 75 pounds of chocolate for this year’s expedition. That should suffice, we’re only planning to be at Base Camp for about 7 weeks. The number of significant sponsors who have signed up to support the expedition is surprising. In just a few days, The North Face, Hyatt Hotels and Gateway Computers have given us their OK. Very encouraging, indeed! What’s rather scary is the fact that I will be training with some very tough Navy SEALs in a week and a half. The guys want me to be prepared when I get to Base Camp and have put together some kind of exercise program for me. I stopped eating chocolate, steak and french fries as soon as I learned of this impending alteration to my lifestyle. Jelly bellies are not welcome in Coronado, I’ve been told.
Happy New Year!
January 1st, 2009While I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, I have made a decision to return to Mt. Everest this year and try to reach the summit. The decision wasn’t an easy one to make but in the end, what convinced me was the fact that some of my friends are among the most experienced mountaineers in the world, so if one of them came along with me on the expedition, I would stand a good chance of making it to the top. I must now track down Ran Fiennes, Will Cross and Kenton Cool to inform them of my decision. It’s going to be pretty challenging to organize an expedition to Everest in so short a time - with only three and a half months left before D-Day, my team (whoever they turn out to be) and I must rush. Most important of all, a title sponsor must be found. No easy feat in a recession. At least the charity which will benefit from this expedition was an easy choice - the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund.
