Everest 2011 is over. This was the third climb of the 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything. In my normal tradition, I have written a compete trip report. But this one is a bit different. I wanted to keep my summit in context of the goal thus the report provides a bit of background on my motivation to return to Everest for a fourth time in spite of being 9 years older after my first attempt in 2002. I also try to describe in more detail than in my dispatches about the actual climbing, conditions and what it continue reading

Climbing Everest has many parts: training, trekking, climbing and then a traditional unique to the tallest mountain in the world – signing a white board at the Rum Doodle restaurant in Kathmandu. Hanging on the wall behind the bar are two large boards filled with signatures of summiters. Off to the right, under a bit thicker glass, is another frame holding the signatures of Hillary, Rob Hall, Messner and a few others with a “bit” more history than the rest of us. Last night, Heiko, Mirjam, Suzanna and I went there to complete our mission. First we had to show continue reading

I stood on the summit of Mount Everest at 5:00 AM, May 21, 2011. To say this event had a personal meaning is an understatement. To say it had a broader meaning leaves much to be explained. I will write a complete trip report in my usual standard once I get home but for now here is an overview from my summit push. The weather played havoc with every team in 2011. High winds were forecasted and changed plans but then never materialized. Sudden storms did appear without notice causing great discomfort, concern and in some cases, frostbite and blindness. continue reading

This is the latest audio dispatch live from Mt. Everest; the third of Alan’s 7 Summits climbs. These climbs are to raise Alzheimer’s awareness and $1M for research. Please donate today. Climb On! Alan Memories are Everything

This is the latest audio dispatch live from Mt. Everest; the third of Alan's 7 Summits climbs. These climbs are to raise Alzheimer's awareness and $1M for research. Please donate today. Climb On! Alan Memories are Everything

It is hard to believe this is my last written dispatch before leaving for my summit bid on Mt. Everest. I will post two more audio dispatches along the way.I am writing this at Camp 2 in my very hot tent. As I mentioned in my last audio dispatch, this …

The call to meals at Base Camp is a bit primitive – the cook bangs a ladle against a huge metal skillet – yet effective. Everyone slowly pokes their head and eventually their entire body in a slow motion crawl out of the three foot high tent door and onto a rocky porch. In spite of the occasional stumble we all make it to the dining tent in short order, find our favorite seat and commence with a series of greetings even though it was only a few hours or minutes, since we last saw each other. Some sit in continue reading

I am pleased to welcome the Alzheimer’s Association to the 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything. Many of you know them as the largest Alzheimer’s non-profit with leading programs for research, caregivers, education and government advocacy. I have worked with them for several years now raising money for all these causes. As part of the 7 Summits Climb program, they will promote my climbs to their membership thus raising more awareness and urgency for Alzheimer’s causes. I am extremely grateful for their support. To reiterate what my climbs are all about; I am using my climbs of the continue reading

This is the latest audio dispatch live from Mt. Everest; the third of Alan’s 7 Summits climbs. These climbs are to raise Alzheimer’s awareness and $1M for research. Please donate today. Climb On! Alan Memories are Everything

This is the latest audio dispatch live from Mt. Everest; the third of Alan's 7 Summits climbs. These climbs are to raise Alzheimer's awareness and $1M for research. Please donate today. Climb On! Alan Memories are Everything

While the title of this dispatch may not resonate with those outside of the US, it seems true of many sports that for most of the game, professional sports teams seem to trade goals waiting for the final two minutes before getting serious about wining or losing. Well, climbing is kind of like that. We spend weeks going up and down the mountain to establish camps, build red blood cells, prepare our bodies and mind and then over a period of days then hours, we go for the summit – win or lose – it game over; well at least continue reading

This is the latest audio dispatch live from Mt. Everest; the third of Alan's 7 Summits climbs. These climbs are to raise Alzheimer's awareness and $1M for research. Please donate today. Climb On! Alan Memories are Everything