Thank you for joining me on this attempt to climb Mount Everest. It is my intent to inform and entertain while I share with you about high altitude climbing. There are a few things that it will be helpful to know. First I am using a satellite phone to call into my office late at night and record this cybercast. My able assistant Treva Nolen will then try to transcribe it to the site. I use an Iridium sat phone and when it works it is like being in the next room. However it consist of low earth sats and it is line of sight so the satellites move in relation to me. Sometimes that is a problem in the mountains. Secondly, remember that I am sending this from a tent where it is frequently below zero and there is an 11 hour and 45 minute time difference (I have no idea why 45 minutes). I will try to be accurate as I can but I have no way to check facts. Additionally I feel it is a small mind who can only think of one way to spell something. Treva may or may not be able to clean up all my problems. I am using a solar charger for power and that is problem higher up so although I will try and send something out every few days there will be gaps. Finally my ultimate goal is to climb this mountain and that will be my first priority. I do look forward to sharing with you in the coming weeks so off we go. Expedition Everest 2006 – One step at a time. Bud Allen