I'm borrowing my friend Jaroslaw's iPaq to zip out one last field report before we head to Gorak Shep, where we'll spend tomorrow night --- and Everest base camp the following day. Our acclimatization continues to go extremely well, and team spirits are off-scale high with anticipation of the mountain quest ahead.

Life here at Lobuche and destinations above is not easy: gusting wind, blowing snow, thinning air and the lack of many conveniences of home (for ex: running water, shower, stove, refrigerator) requires a great deal of focus, training, proper gear and teamwork. I feel really prepared for and excited by the challenges ahead.

We understand that our IMG base camp is nearly complete, and that the "Ice Doctors" have already installed 9 ladders in the Khumbu icefall --- great progress indeed.

Of note, this may be the last time i'm able to post to this site for a few weeks, but I look forward to catching you up on our activities when able -- and hopefully you'll be able to follow along in near real-time as Adam, Kami, Ang Namgya and I head for the summit. In the meantime, the IMG site will be posting daily general updates on our team's progress.

Climb on!

Scott