Helping Nepal: Himalayan Stove Project
Like so many of my readers, George Basch made a trip to Nepal that changed his life forever. Today he is the “Chief Cook” of the non-profit Himalayan Stove Project. They provide clean cook stoves to thousands throughout Nepal and are truly changing lives. You can help by funding a stove for only $150 that will reduce […]
The Gall of it All!
My eyes popped open with an urgency I rarely felt while sleeping. The pain in my upper abdomen was strong this Friday night after Thanksgiving. Nine hours later I was being rolled into the operating room gleefully singing: “So long, farewell Auf wiedersehen, goodnight” The pre-anesthesia was kicking in but more so was my own […]
Himalayan Autumn Wrap-up
It was a wild ride for those climbing in the Himalayan this Autumn with valiant efforts on 8000ers, a few new routes and a tragedy on Ama Dablam. Never say never when claiming there are no more climbs but with winter approaching the attention will shift to K2 and perhaps an attempt on Everest and Nanga […]
Avoiding Death on Everest
94 paying members have died on Everest between 1996 and 2016. Who were they, why did they die, who were they climbing with? How can you safely climb Everest, but not risk everything? I finally took the time required to analyze all the deaths over the past 20 years and found some startling conclusions. The […]
Broken Leg Update: A Setback and a Plan
I’m not where I want to be in my progress for my broken leg. Full stop. So I have two options: A) accept it or B) do something about it. I choose B. After my Bierstadt hike a few weeks ago, my ankle and leg began to sing a coordinated chorus. At times, they kept […]
Himalayan Autumn Updates
Autumn continues to be exciting in the climbing world with the 2017 Piolet d’Or awards, new routes on very remote and technical peaks plus valiant efforts on 8000er. First up are the 8000ers, and its not good news on any of them. Lhotse – Waiting but not hopeful South Korean, Sung-Taek Hong and Spanish climber Jorge […]
Autumn Climbing: Losing Legends, Summits in Nepal, Bribes on Carstensz
Climbing continues around the word and especially in Nepal but before we get to the climbs, I want to remember two climbers we lost recently. Fred Beckey: “The Bob Dylan of Mountain Climbing: Fred was the definition of a dirt bagger – mostly living out of his car, he never married or had children – climbing […]
Gifts for the 2017 Climber in your Life
Looking for that perfect gift for your climber (or yourself) ? Hopefully this post will give you some ideas based on my own personal experience. You don’t have to spend a lot to make your climber happy! I always try to buy local to keep the sales tax in my city and support my local […]
Broken Leg Update: Eight Months Out
Part of my “progress” plan from breaking my leg in February is to set measurable, meaningful goals that cause me to push myself to my limits. Well this week was a complete victory that both built me up and tore me down. I thrive on goals. Without them I feel lost, drifting with no purpose. […]
Autumn Climbing: Himalayan Roundup: Annapurna, Lhotse Nuptse and more
October is the time of year when only a few 8000ers are climbed, too early for Antartica or Aconcagua but spot on for many peaks in Nepal. With that preamble, lets start with the 8000ers currently under siege. Lhotse – Camp 4 South Korean, Sung-Taek Hong, 51, along with Spanish climber Jorge Egocheaga, 49, are attempting […]