On the road again ...

< Newer | Older > Sun, 04/01/2007 - 14:06 — Patrick

Tomorrow is the day when we hit the road ... the trail to Mt. Everest basecamp. We have an early morning flight to Lukla (6am) and that is where we start our 10-12 day hike. I am excited to be in the mountains again and to get away from motorcycles, horns, and way too many people. The blog will continue, but will take on a different format in that the responses will not be in individual settings as what you have seen to date, but will be contained within one group email. I will still respond to all personally, it's just that the format will be a little different. I will also try to send audio blogs along the way and will try to send photos also.

I have had just as much fun doing this, as all of you are reading the stories, and look forward to many more emails.

There may be a day or two lag in responding to emails until we get the system worked out so bare with me as there are lots more stories ahead! I will also try to report in a standard format with date, location, temperature, and altitude.

Bye for now from Kathmandu.

Take care,

Pat  :>)

Messages

Hello up there

maryann — Sun, 04/01/2007 - 16:14

Missed not seeing you at Congress in Orlando. Kay Ball informed the Golden
Gavel of your goal of climbing Mount Everest next month. I am thinking of
you and send positive energy your way. Please send me your address, so that
I can send some support for your endeavors.
Maryann Mawhinney

Answers to my questions

Demento — Sun, 04/01/2007 - 16:22

Thanks. Read this blog, just after I sent the last one. Now I get it. Godspeed. David

texas friend

debra keyes — Sun, 04/01/2007 - 16:48

ok hope this gets to you. I am passing this along to all the nurses at my hospital so you may get things that say Debi's friend. so good weather at present to get you there safely. take care Debi.

Olympic Torch Ceremony

Mary Clare Reinhardt — Sun, 04/01/2007 - 18:50

Awhile back, I had read somewhere that Henry Todd was considering the north side. Thanks for clearing that up for me. Enjoy your trek to EBC! I've always thought that the trek going to the south side is a good way to acclimate and also such a great experience regarding scenic beauty, culture and people. You would miss that from the north.

I read that the people involved with the Olympic Torch Ceremony will be doing a trial run on Everest this spring. Maybe you can ask to hold the torch for a short distance!!!
BFN (By for now)
MC

Thinking of You

Paula Graling — Sun, 04/01/2007 - 22:14

Just got the word from JJ that you were doing OK as I arrived home from Denver. Your AORN pals are thinking of you and sending you positive energy as you get ready for this big feat! Cheerin ya on from here in VA my friend- I'll be watchin the blog and stayin in touch! Be careful!

Paula

Pat: Best wishes and enjoy

Visitor — Sun, 04/01/2007 - 22:16

Pat:

Best wishes and enjoy the trek.
Double check you gear...redundancy, redundancy...

Paul

The excitement builds!

Sandra D — Mon, 04/02/2007 - 00:16

Pat, I'm excited for you! You'll be walking along the trail on the same places as the people in the Everest books. I have "Into Thin Air" (my third book) and it's next. I just finished "Four Against Everest" and am now finishing "The Climb". Paul giving us access to Google Earth is soooo grea:) We can zoom in and look at all the different places along the way. Pat, if you think about it when you do an audio blog, would you say the names of some of the places that you pass like Lukla? Also, if you think about it we would love to know what you are eating on the trail. Do the sherpas speak english?

Stay well and stay safe!
Sandra

Best of luck

Visitor — Mon, 04/02/2007 - 00:44

Hi Pat - Best of luck to you on your trek. I am a grad of USC and now am a nursing student (midlife) in Connecticut. My Mother in Law told me about you. I have put a mention about you on my blog - www.rnsomeday.blogspot.com. Thanks for all you are doing. Best - Gina

Your Grand Adventure

Visitor — Mon, 04/02/2007 - 02:12

Hi Pat,
Just wanted you to know that I'm following your grand adventure by reading this blog. Be safe and have a wonderful, fantastic experience!! All of the Columbia tennis gals are pulling for you!!

Amy D.

IN MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS

Visitor — Mon, 04/02/2007 - 04:12

Hi Pat,
Glad to hear you arrived safe...I hope the rest of your journey is just the same....I will have you daily in my thoughts & prayers.
Theresa/Ottawa (Deb's sis)

Base camp, ho!

Visitor — Mon, 04/02/2007 - 14:23

Hey Pat,

Hope the initial hike is a great one! We're all pulling for you. USC folks are working to put quite a bit more on the website. They asked if it would be possible to set up a phone interview with a radio or news station while you're actually on the climb...is this an option? Alternately, a station could send you some questions that you could respond to in your own time via the audio blog, which is a very cool thing. You're definitely one up on Ben in that department, ha ha.

Happy anniversary to you and Carol...great picture of you guys. Take good care and we'll be in touch!
Liesl

On your way

Kelvin Hickey — Mon, 04/02/2007 - 14:28

Hello uncle Pat,

Great to hear that you made it over safe and that your communications equipment checked out and is going to keep us all up to date as you continue your travels. I checked out the google earth file that Paul had made and Everest definitely looks much bigger than Mt. Pakenham. Anyways, I look forward to following you the rest of the way and am excited to see some posted pictures of the trek up!

Stay safe,
Kelvin.

Hell Pat

Visitor — Mon, 04/02/2007 - 14:50

It is great to hear from you. I look forward to follow you the rest of your climbing. Take care!

Abbas

Pat Hickey

Visitor — Mon, 04/02/2007 - 15:32

Hi, Pat, miss you but so proud of what you are doing- take care and if you need anything, let me know Maggie

Hey Pat

Brother Kev — Mon, 04/02/2007 - 17:17

Hey Pat,

Just listened to your Audio Blog. Sounds like the adventure has started. Glad to see your communications are working for you. Enjoy your Trek and get yourself ready for the Climb. I am printing all the emails and will record your audio blogs for Mom and Dad so they can stay updated. I will let the kids listen to your Audio Blog tonight and have them follow where you are on the Mountain.
Very proud of you big brother!! I will send another email mid week.

We are all cheering for you!

awcharlton — Mon, 04/02/2007 - 18:41

Dr. Hickey,

We were just sitting here in our cubbies (aka offices) reading about your first few days! We can't wait to keep abreast of your progress.
Know that all the nurses and nursing students here as USC are cheering you on! Take care!

Amanda Charlton

This Is Great

Linda Harlin — Mon, 04/02/2007 - 19:01

Pat,
This is great! The blogs are wonderful! Happy (late) anniversary to you and Carol - two very beautiful people. Be Safe on that old mountain!

Carol,
Hey, if you want to catch dinner and movie... or drinks and a movie... or drinks and dinner... give me a call or an email and we can meet up in Irmo - weekdays are usually better for me. Hang in there on the home front!

Kindest Regards, Linda