Hi everyone,
Paul here, amongst the chaos that is my last minute packing! I’m heading off tonight – so the journey finally begins! It’s been a pretty busy time between trying to catch up with people, keeping my training up, packing all the last minute things that can’t be added until later, doing the odd interview here and there, and sorting out things at home. So I’ll be glad to finally sit down on that plane and relax.
Thanks QEVCI!
I wanted to thank the kids and teachers at QEVCI (a school in Canada that followed our climb last year). I was very surprised to receive a big package in the mail from these guys containing several T-shirts, some real maple candies (I’ve never had these before), and the school’s year book. It also included the Everest books that a class last year was studying which prompted them to follow our trip on Everest. Fiona and I were very happy to answer their questions about what Everest is really like. I’m really looking forward to reading these books while I’m away. (I reckon it would be a good way to study literature with the book in one hand, and a real live case study happening before your eyes.)
Best of all though, the package also included lots of personal letters from the students. I read a couple and they were so amazing that I’ve decided to pack them up and take them with me to read in Nepal. That way I’ll be able to savor them when I have time to think at basecamp. (Right now my head is overflowing with all the things I need to remember to take and do before I go!) Thanks Liane and all the kids at QEVCI.
Anyway, must go now and continue packing. I look forward to hearing from you in Kathmandu.
Paul
Hey Adler, good luck! Wish I was there again this year.
Say hi to Pasang for us if you see him!
Chris
Great stuff, Paul. It is astounding what one can do when one needs to! I have an expression when I have a variety of things to do and there doesn’t seem like enough time. I am watching the show 60 minutes in a half hour! And of course somehow it all gets done.
Bravo to the kids and teachers at QEVCI. What a nice gift they sent you as you are preparing to leave. It will be nice to read their letters at BC.
Have a safe flight, MC
Good luck Paul,
I can only begin to imagine how your feeling at the moment but trust me when I say that my thoughts (and my colleagues thoughts) will be with you the whole way along.
John
Paul
Good luck and safe flight. I’m looking forward to following your climb again this year. Just remember, that the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing twice and expecting the same result” – so this year you have to make it to the top!!! Good luck
Jordan
Hi Paul, Issy here. Best of luck on your Everest climb! I will be following this one.. keep us all updated!
Issy :o)
Hi Chris, I wish you and Bridgette were coming in again too! Yes, I’ll keep an eye out for a bag with legs. Cheers, Paul.
Hi Jordan,
I thought you were going to say that going back to Everest was the definition of insanity! I’ll be trying really hard to get to the top. Just got to hope that the weather cooperates and that I can keep my health up.
Thanks, Paul.
Hi John, Thanks for your message and thoughts. Rgds, Paul.
Paul:
You made my students’ day with your post today – thanks so much!! You have no idea how exited they were to see you in your QECVI shirt on the Internet with all your Canadian goodies! By now I expect you are well on your way to Nepal, if not already there, so the adventure has really begun. We will be checking in daily to read your posts and watch for our flag!! Remember that you have an entire school supporting you all the way to the top and back. Have a good trek to Base Camp and we’ll chat soon.
Your friend in Canada,
Liane
Hi Paul,
All the best for the next few months. Hope the weather breaks and you get the breaks to make that last 100 metres. Sounds like all the preparation and training are setting you up perfectly. Hope the health holds up. As a thought, the 7 days or a week theory probably isn’t too valid at altitude!!
All the best and stay safe.
Phil M
Hi Paul,
We enjoyed following your adventure last year and we are excited to be with you, sort of, as your adventure begins now. Best wishes for success and a safe return. We will be here rooting.
Mike
Hope you liked the stuff we sent! It’s cool to see that the t-shirt fits you! It must be cool to be going up to Mount Everest. Are you in Nepal yet? I wonder what the Base Camp would look like. Can you post a picture when you get there? I want to climb Mount Everest like you someday. Hope to hear your messages soon from your journey.
By your friend in Canada:
Daniel Godfrey
Hi Liane,
At an Internet cafe in Kathmandu. Thanks for all those goodies – they have made it with me to Kathmandu and I’ll take them in to EBC and save them for when I need a really high energy snack.
I’ll try to get some good pictures for you of the flag.
Rgds, Paul.
Hi Phil,
Here’s hoping for another good weather season. Last year we had such fantastic weather, so I hope that it wasn’t a one-off.
Rgds, Paul.
Hi Mike thanks for your good wishes. Enjoying a low paced day here in Kathmandu today. Rgds, Paul
Hi Daniel,
I really like the t-shirts and sweets you sent. Yes, I am in Nepal writing this to you.
I think climbing Mt. Everest is a great goal to have, but you also need to have smaller goals to aim for as well as Everest. When I was at school, I also wanted to climb Mt. Everest, but I didn’t know how, so I started by getting really fit. I did this by competing in lots of school sports (mostly althletics), then I started on small mountains and then bigger and bigger ones. But you also need a lot of money to climb Everest, so it’s really important that you work hard at school so you can get a good job.
Paul.
Paul & Tim:
Tim – I hope you had a restful flight over. Have a great trek into basecamp. I’ve got daily updates turned on so at least I can be an armchair trekker on this trip with you. Paul – your MyEverest site is really fantastic.
Best,
Andy
Thanks Paul – my students will “freak out” (as they say!) if you pose with the flag on your way to the top. Hopefully that maple candy will give you all the extra energy you will need for the Lhotse face!
Talk to you soon,
Liane
I’m thrilled to know my EVEREST series made it to Base Camp. May the air be thick for you, Paul. Godspeed!
Gordon Korman