You might ask, why Everest? Well, that is a good question. I love climbing, and have managed a few beautiful, historic peaks around the world. I have always had a latent interest in climbing Mt. Everest but never thought it was in the cards for me – too long away from work and family, too expensive, too much worry for loved ones – in short, too selfish. I don’t know what changed, maybe age, but the interest turned dream started to become a reality when Judy and I accompanied friends to Everest Base Camp in 2012 where I could visualize the possibilities.
I fell in love with the Khumbu region and towering peaks with their hanging glaciers. We also found the site where a picture that captivated our imaginations years before at the Park City Arts Festival had been taken. It moved us both tremendously.
As we trekked out of the Khumbu, I promised Dorjee, our beloved head Sherpa, I’d be back in three years to celebrate my 60th birthday for a summit attempt of Mt. Everest, health permitting. I didn’t really believe it, but a seed was planted that sprouted 14 months ago when a planned Denali climb fell through. In planning that climb I began to get a vision of how Everest could be possible.
Another key element that motivated me was a chance meeting Judy had with a woman she met hiking Malan’s Peak. She was a young cardiologist who had quit her practice for a couple of years to train for Everest! If she could make that sacrifice to accomplish her dream, why couldn’t I? More importantly, why wasn’t I? Would I be happy with my self at age 70, realizing it was now no longer possible? I decided Judy and I needed one more great adventure. She was all for it. Of course, she would only be interested in going as far as EBC (Everest Base Camp) to wish me well from there. Her summit will come in the form of a new kitchen next fall.
Mt. Everest 