So, before I talk about anything else, let’s go ahead and get the “why” out of the way. It’s something I’ve always thought about, but wasn’t sure I’d ever get the chance. After sitting in the passenger seat watching Jasmine take on cancer in 2016 followed by unexpectedly losing 2 people out of my life before their time in 2017, I decided it was time to get on with it. I had always wanted to go to Alaska and see it, so I crossed that off in my own style in 2017 (I lone-wolfed it from Anchorage up the Dalton Highway well into the Arctic Circle). Photos from that journey here. Shortly before going on the Alaska trip in October, I called and talked to the folks at Adventure Consultants (AC) about the trip and what the physical requirements were; they were very helpful in not only making my decision, but providing everything I needed along the way. I secured the last slot available in group 1, the last available on any team when I registered.

TO BE CLEAR: I’m stopping at base camp. That scratches my itch, and at this point in my life I’m scared to death of the next thing in the way of the mountain – the Khumbu Ice Falls; I don’t care to cross crevasses on aluminum ladders lashed together with rope.

While I was in Alaska, I got an email from AC letting me know that a spot on group 2 had opened up, offering it to me. What makes group 2 special is we get to accompany the summit team from AC to Everest Base Camp (EBC). I was stoked when this worked out. And to cap it off, I finally got to see and photograph the Northern Lights the next morning, my last day in Alaska (was a good 24 hours for me).

Now the pressure was on to start putting all my gear together, learning what I need to be ready and to get in physical shape so that I can try to enjoy the hike up to 17,600 feet.