Login
Navigation
Current Everests
Five guys trekking to EBC and climbing Island Peak
Scott is embarking on a climb of Ama Dablam
Fiona's building a website business for word of mouth information
Paul's second Mount Everest climb: an unfinished goal 
TA's Mt Everest climb, inspiring young people to dream big 
Pat is climbing Mount Everest - the last of his 7 summits 
Gavin is following his dream to climb Ama Dablam 
Aeronik continues her reinvention as she climbs Mt Kilimanjaro
Safety Equipment on the Mountain
Day #28
Location: Basecamp
Altitude: 5364m
Local Time: 5:30pm / April 24
Weather: Cool (30's) windy/snow
Before I give my daily update I would like to ask a favor. I have challenged my brother Danny (blog site moderator/Almonte, Ontario Canada) and friend Liesl (University of South Carolina/College of Nursing, Columbia, SC) to try and note where all of you live. I think it would be interesting to collect this data in order to show how far and wide we have been able to address the nursing issue. So, if you could, please include your city/state when you log in to post a response. If from outside the USA, please add country in addition to city. I will wait to hear back from Danny/Liesl regarding how long this is necessary. And, for those that are just reading the blogs but not posting a response ... feel free to log in and just say hi!
Thanks to all for your help.
Safety is always a priority on the mountain, but as we prepare to go higher we look to our equipment to make certain that we have everything in order. Clothing is a major priority and high altitude down suits are a requirement, as are double mitt systems, and specialty high altitude boots. Ski goggles, hand warmers, neoprene face masks, and wicking layers of clothes are also needed at various points in time dependent on weather and conditions.
Oxygen systems are utilized higher up on the mountain and consist of tanks, regulators, and face masks. The tanks and regulators are very similar in principal to what we as nurses use on a daily basis in hospitals, however the mask systems vary.
Historically these systems are used on departure from Camp 3-Camp 4, and then while resting at Camp 4, during summit push, and on return from the summit! I have not used oxygen before (have applied it many times as a nurse) but have been told that it will be a great aid as we climb. I believe that there have been individuals that have summitted Mt. Everest without oxygen ... but my name will not be added to that list!
Your Messages:
Carol:
Hi sweetheart. Yes, you do leave me breathless lately as I seemed to have a hard time catching my breath at Camp 2. We will continue to work on this email issue and am confident that Danny can work it out so that I can send private emails to you!
I love you and miss you terribly :>)
Pat :>)
AORN Friends:
Rose ... please say hi to Sara for me and I hope that all goes well with her Mom. I have a deep respect for all that she has done for AORN. Hope to hear from Armando at some point ... thanks for the cheerleading!
Bonnie ... thanks for the update on AORN (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses) and the professionalism associated with this wonderful organization. I owe AORN a great debt of gratitude as they have helped me in so many ways. As a former member of the AORN Board of Directors I continue to be proud of the patient safety factors that that we have put in place all over the USA. I can't even imagine how many lives we have saved by implenting the processes that we have!
Thanks for thinking of me on Earth Day as I feel very connected to the earth as I climb Mt. Everest. I appreciate you mobilizing the forces of the womens group this weekend as I need all the forces possible to get me up this hill!
Canadian Friends:
Tony ... great to hear from you and glad that you are following the blog! Don't forget to contact Carol regarding travel plans to Almonte.
Columbia Friends:
Alma ... great to hear from my favorite mother-in-law ... even though it has been a long time since I have seen any of my favorite chocolate chip cookies! Glad to hear that you are keeping the information flowing to South Dakota. Wish I could join you guys in Myrtle Beach in May ... sounds fun. I will try not to test any more of the safety features, and keep the prayers coming!
Tim ... thanks for the posting and appreciate you keeping everyone up to date.
Dave ... great request. I will do some research on sherpas and let you know what I find out!
Palmetto Health Friends:
Dr. Knight ... great to hear from you! Thanks for sharing with me that my family of friends and colleagues at Palmetto Health Richland (PHR) are following my progress. I say family because I spent a lot of time working with the employees at PHR and consider most as the best of best friends. Together we invested a lot of time, work, and effort into making PHR a place where we would want our family to come if they needed access to healthcare.
It has been my pleasure to advocate for nursing as it is a profession that has given so much to me. I am only hopeful that all of this attention will not only secure a future for student nurses locally, but also at a national level as we struggle to combat the looming nursing shortage!
Thanks for the warm wishes and support, but most importantly, thanks for the lessons that you have taught me that have helped me to become who I am today!
Sandra ... it's quite amazing how you get accustomed to the climate. Take for example this morning when I sat outside my tent to shave ... I had to keep blowing the snowflakes off my mirror. It didn't even occur to me that I should move indoors!
So far I am doing well with the altitude and trying to hydrate as much as possible. Glad that youliked the team intro! Thanks so much for the quote .... very applicable! Say hi to all!
USC Friends:
Karen ... great to hear from you and thanks for your support! Thanks for sharing your moving story and am happy that you will be closer to your daughters. You will be missed at the College of Nursing.
All The Others:
MC ... I like to tell people that I'm in my "giving back" stage in life, whereas in reality I believe I have been in that stage most of my life. I am sure that all of us give of ourselves to varying degrees, some more than others!
Andrea ... great to hear from you and love your area of the world. I climbed Mt. Rainier many years ago and was humbled by it's magnitude ... beautiful mountain.
Wow, quite the family of nurses ... I'm impressed! I will be sure to document the physiological changes as we climb higher ... good suggestion.
Kim ... great to hear from you and thanks for the updates. We get sleet and snow here each day and is a part of our routine. I am glad that Carol will be visiting you soon and my only regret is that I will not be there to join her! I do look forward to a visit in the future ... and maybe we can get you out and go hiking!
Ann & Graham ... the Western Cwm. is a huge valley flanked by snow capped peaks. It is intensely hot due to the suns rays and I felt myself dragging as I walked the gentle slope up to Camp 2. The views take your mind off the heat ... but it is intense!
Eileen ... great to hear from you and always wonderful to hear from a fellow nurse. I had my 30 yr. reunion last year and have had no regrets of entering this profession as it has given so much to me. Best of luck on your MSN ... I just recently acquired mine. I would appreciate it if you could spread the word to other nursing colleagues and administrators as I would like to take this Summit Scholarship concept to the national level. I appreciate the prayers!
Wendy ... great to hear from you. I shared your email with Mike last night at supper. His tent is directly in front of me (does not block my beautiful view of the Khumbu) and he complains because he has to endure my loud nose blowing in the early am. Poor guy, he gets so much sleep! I visited his tent earlier today and saw the string of family photos stretched across the tent. He sure misses all of you. Keep in touch.
Joan ... glad that you liked the team intro by Bo. We are still learning about each other and have developed great friendships. I shared your posting with Mike earlier this evening and he sends his love!
Paul ... great to hear from a nursing colleague and best friend! The nice thing about being a role model and reaching out to people is that there are so many people's lives that we have affected ... that we don't even know! I always have told Carol that whenever we travel we are ambassadors for our country as people will judge everyone else that comes along after us by the first impression we have made. The same holds true in nursing. We have to get rid of the adage that we eat our young as sometimes we challenge our new nursess too strictly!
Making a difference, one person at a time ... I like it!
Hey, contact my brother Danny (site moderator) and ask him for Liesl's contact information as I would like you to get in touch with her to see if she can send you one of the posters that were developed for the Summit Scholarship!
Cam ... glad to hear about the nursing connection! Appreciate you spreading the word about the cause and the scholarship. We keep busy on rest days checking and double checking equipment ... but do relax in preparation for the next climb!
Bill & Michelle ... glad to hear about your relaxing weekend ... look forward to those myself! Glad you liked the team intro ... it will help with future blogs!
Suzy ... hey matey, Pat showed me the message from you and hols. Great to hear from you both and keep up the training for team extreme - very proud of you! keeping warm with fury bed socks! lots of love, sheks xxx
Jean ... I could not have said it better. Who will replace us? I am fortunate in that I teach in the College of Nursing at the University of South Carolina and am responsible for putting more nurses into the workplace ... but never enough!
I believe that there is a link to the Summit Scholarship on my blog site, and in yesterday's blog my brother listed the link! I appreciate the prayers and the support!
Kurt ... great to hear from you. So far all is well as far as physical fitness. The leg from Camp 1-Camp 2 is not challenging in height, but the sun is hectic! It really drains you!
David aka Demento ... so far all is well. Am drinking at least 2-3 litres of fluids daily and urine is clear! We actally have two MD's on our team so am in good hands should their be any issues!
Eileen ... thanks for the support and mustering the troops. Glad that you have your priorities right as JCAHO visits can be quite demanding! In my previous hospital I was responsible for organizing the JCAHO visit ... very nerve wracking!
I will continue to describe the experience as best I can knowing that not a lot of people will ever be here! Thanks for the prayers!
Liz ... great to hear from you! You made Bo's day by noting his exellent blogging skills. He is a great addition to the team and keeps us spellbound with his stories!
Appreciate if you could spread the word about the cause and the scholarship!
- Login or register to post comments
- Add new message or comment
Messages
i decided to write for the
Visitor — Tue, 04/24/2007 - 18:25i decided to write for the first time after you said you wanted to track where people live. I live on long island, just outside if NYC. Your photos are truly awe inspiring, and I love reading all the updates and hearing about the progress you have made. It's amazing the amount of preparation, training, and shear dedication that one needs in order to attempt Mt. Everest. Keep up the hard work, and I can't wait to hear about how you have met your goal. Good luck!
Kirsten
East Meadow, NY
Safety
Paul — Tue, 04/24/2007 - 18:31Hey Pat:
Nice to see that you are all being extra safe and checking equipment etc. In climbing, redundancy is one of the biggest and most important steps to ensuring preventable mishaps are kept to a minimum.
The more I follow the blog I think Sandy gets a little nervous. She knows the love I have for climbing and the Mountains. I think she wonders if I'm going to want to follow more than your nursing footsteps.
I'll contact Liesl via Danny to try and get a poster... good idea.
Climb safe and Climb On, Paul
Friends
Harley — Tue, 04/24/2007 - 19:14Pat,
Just got back from another trip to your old home(Memorial Medical Center). While there, I was able to get in touch with Dorothy, and also got hold of Camille, who is now at Doctors Regional Hospital. Both were very excited to hear that you were on the climb, and plan to log on, so hopefully you will hear from them soon. Anybody else, let me know. Take care!
Ron Schlimmer
Corpus Christi, Texas
Pat's blog - location: Vanc., WA, USA
Mary Clare Reinhardt — Tue, 04/24/2007 - 19:39Hey Pat and team
Again, so far so good! Keep it up! I was wondering, as you are climbing, do you often peel off layers and then put layers back on depending on the conditions? I know I am notorious for this and of course it takes time from your goal to get to the next camp by a certain time to avoid heat, etc. I strive to be as comfortable as possible but I was wondering if this is logical on Everest.
Wishing you, the team and all the sherpas health, safety, success and a great time!
MC
"Adversity will make us stronger and as we build our strength, we can face adversity with confidence." mc
General
seandave — Tue, 04/24/2007 - 19:48Hey Pat;
Awe inspiring location you're at. As to the "Nursing" you have our support as "Nursing" runs in both Grace's and my family. Nurses are necessary. Sounds like a motto. Keep up the good and SAFE work. All the best from Ottawa/Almonte.
Nursing in Florida
annep — Tue, 04/24/2007 - 21:36Hi Pat, Have folowed Paul and Fiona for two years. Now reading your updates with anticipation. Continued success in your climb and take great care. You wanted to know where we are all from. I am a Cardiac Pacer/ICD Clinic nurse.
Anne
Venice, Fl
thats on the Southwest Gulf Coast and it is WARM here!
Catching up in Ottawa
Shelagh — Tue, 04/24/2007 - 21:40I'm still playing catch up with all the updates on the MyEverest website after being out of town and computerless for the past 10 days. It's amazing how far you, TA and Paul have come in that time. I know you have now met Paul....have you met TA yet? From photos on various sites, I can see that EBC is a big place with lots and lots of people so I imagine that it can be difficult to find someone but she has a Newfoundland flag on her tent and I think today she was heading back down to EBC from Camp 2. Your updates are wonderful. I think often of Carol who has not stood in the way of yourEverest and how hard it must be to stay at home while you climb this great mountain. I admire her too. Continue to climb safely and take care.
Hi Pat, As per your request
Jessedbody — Tue, 04/24/2007 - 21:53Hi Pat,
As per your request I’m logging in my location(s) for the purpose of the exercise which I also agree is a great idea. I am currently in Tehran, Iran visiting old fellow climbers and friends. I must admit, we look forward to reading your daily posts which further add excitement to getting ready for our own trip to Bolivia June1st in an attempt to climb the 3 highest peaks.
Being a real estate broker, I have not had much opportunity to understand the profession of nursing with the exception of observing the hard work and level of patience which is required to put up with patients such as myself. However, reading your posts and realizing your passion to broaden public knowledge of this noble profession has lead me to want to learn more about how I can contribute.
We, here in Tehran Iran wish you and everyone on the mountain the best of luck and look forward to a successful summit and safe return back home to your loved ones.
Sincerely,
Shahram and friends.
Currently in: Tehran, Iran
Resident of: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
awed and proud
debra keyes — Tue, 04/24/2007 - 22:21yes pat i am so proud of you to even be where you are. and above all to be afraid of heights and i have the hardest time going to the roof of the hospital to meet a helicopter....yes you did sound breathless the last voice blog i heard, i have been sharing your site with anyone i come in contact with. i talke with SLC in kingston and they know what you are up to...take care, i'm following you avidly and of course hello to carol and your family. Debi.
Greetings from Budapest, Hungary
Mira — Tue, 04/24/2007 - 22:58Hi Pat
I have been reading your posts since you left Kathmandu:) One of my friend, Attila is climbing with Paul - I am here and following all of your journey so far. Today Paul posted a msg for me in which he mentioned you:)
"Thanks Mira, I have no idea what is happening to the other MyEverest climbers, so your news is welcome. I did bump into Pat in the icefall yesterday and he looked really well. But we couldn't chat long as he still had a lot of dangerous ground to cover."
So seems however you are not in the same team but your way sometimes crosses Paul's and Attila's. This website somehow links you to each other as well:) Crossing fingers for you and your teammates as well:) Thanks for introducing all the fellow climbers - this makes this expedition more personal.
All myeverest.com is trully amazing - you are doing a great job keeping updated the visitors. I have also mentioned to Paul, but have to say to you as well: thanks for putting so much effort to make this happen. I feel a new Everest novel is just borning in front of our eyes.
Best,
Mira
hi pat, i'm just a follower
Visitor — Tue, 04/24/2007 - 23:11hi pat,
i'm just a follower of this site and don't know anyone. i'm from melbourne australia so first heard of fiona and paul's adventures last year. i did post once or twice last year and was interested in the little things around the camp. loved the story of dogs doing crazy things at higher altitude like eating all the eggs ( ?hypoxia) hope you and your team all make it.
we have a female dog called atilla and we spell it with two "ll's" and one "t" so we abbreviate it to tilla which is more feminine. so we have a sepcial interest in your climbing partner.
i loved all the info about your team. 69 and climbing mt everest??? amazing! and the guy who is doing it for the 4th time!!! what next ???
lots of my relatives and friends are also following this site so go for it..there are a lot of us cheering you on
rita voselis
Attila
Mira — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 23:02Hi Rita
Attila is climbing with Paul this year, and he is mentioning him many times in his posts which you can find also on myeverest.com:) Anyway, he is a 29 years old guy from Hungary who climbed Aconcagua this January, and Kilimanjaro last year. Also organized and participated in numerous high-mountain expeditions, and climbed extreme ice-walls in Europe (in the Alps and High-Tatras). What else to say? Well, his girlfriend is also with him, however she climbed up till Everest Base Camp and is supporting him from there, not going till the summit.
Mira
Where I live
Tichick — Tue, 04/24/2007 - 23:24Hi Pat, I am from Hollis, New Hampshire and work in surgical services at Southern NH Medical Center in Nashua as a pre admission services RN. I came to nursing in my forties and have loved my various positions, all at the same hospital, for the past 20 years. I'm sure I can go back and find the link to make a donation. Thanks and Godspeed. Jean Holt
Safety First! Columbia, S.C. USA
Sandra D — Tue, 04/24/2007 - 23:49Pat, I'm glad safety is ever on your mind! You were such a great patient safety advocate during your PHR days!! What a stunning photo! I hope you realize that you are showing us views of nature that many of us will never see otherwise! I love hearing about the simple things like what you wear to keep warm. It's fascinating for us earthbound folks. I don't quite understand what purpose high altitude boots serve unless they are specially designed to keep the toes toasty and warm. Oxygen is a good thing! Glad you are planning to use it! Kate and I met today and of course we had to have time to talk about you and your climb! I posted your information for our patients and several of them ask me about you each day when they come. I need to try to get a poster from Kate for them:) You are doing a great job Pat and we're so proud of you.
Stay safe Pat
Sandra
Hi From Tristan & Liam
Visitor — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 00:41hi, uncle Pat. We just listened to your audio blog. We love you very much! Good luck on your climb! We miss you.
Love Liam & Tristan.
P.S Jaxon & Grace say hi too.
The kids typed it themselves.
Glad to hear your doing well Pat. Just catching up a little on your blogs. Keep up the Great work and remember slow and steady. Sean wants to make it to the top as well.
Google Map
Danno — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 01:03As Pat requested, I've been trying to map out where everyone is from who visited this blog as well as who have donated to the Summit Scholarship fund
( which can be found at http://www.sc.edu/nursing/SummitScholarship.html ). I found a site called Google Maps and have been able to document most of you who have visited this site onto the map. The address for the site is:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&msid=1175586366801858810...
I know it's long but you should be able to copy and paste it in your url address bar or just click on it from this site.
Keep up the great work Pat, we are all following closely.
Dan
greetings
Visitor — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 01:29Hi Patricio!
Good luck, take care and may God bless you and keep you safe. This Linda Gomez (Dorothy's sister). Greetings from all the Gomez Girls from Corpus Christi, Texas. We love you!!!
Hello bud!
USCh2oSkier — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 02:35I am glad to hear you are still safe, it has been awhile since i have gotten to respond to you. Nursing 231 is still going good, we have or last test this week. I am glad to hear you are using oxygen for climbing and not in a hospital cause that wouldnt be too good. Well keep moving on and we are still behind you here at USC.
-Alan Baker
Currently Columbia, Sc
When summer hits- Ninety Six, SC
Old friends
Visitor — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 02:55Pat,
Just as I walked in the door tonight the phone rang and if was Dorothy Gomez!
She sounded just the same as 20 years ago. Through this blog/experience you are re-connecting with old friends and making lots of new ones.
She will light more candles for you so you have a lot of prayer going your way.
Stay safe & strong and come home to me soon! All my love, Carol
from hillary country
book — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 03:07pat . i have been enjoying your reports. rest up well. when do you intend to try for the summit ? incidentally ed hillary is in hospital in n.z. after having a fall while in nepal. all the best . [ken. auckland .n.z.]
Basics - Columbia, S.C., U.S.A.
Allison — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 03:46Hi Pat!
Boy, the "basic" safety equipment needed for you on Everest is incredible... It made me thankful for all those people who have gone before you that have figured all that out! Thank you so much for the pictures - I echo Sandra's comments about how you are bringing to us views of a place most of us will never see in person and how truly wonderful that is. I appreciate the efforts to make this something we can all share in.
Stay safe and breathe deep!
Allison Turnley
hello
CATHIB007 — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 04:05Hi Pat, I am from New Milford, CT. I found this blog through the USC web site. I was checking it out, as my nephew Jimmy West is a sophmore at USC. I love reading your blogs, as I have said before you are living my dream. Be safe and keep us posted, thanks, Cathy Bond P.S. good luck with the fund-raising, I just had surgery 3 weeks ago to remove a mass on my colon, and the nurses were, as usual, wonderful, God bless nurses
HigH Boss
Rporter — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 05:00It's alway such a joy to her from You! Sara want to be sure u know she smiling & praying. 'And Bonnie D got home to Denver today so i'm sure u will hear more soon! Go Pat..Go Patt...ggggoooooo Pat! lov u! luv u! rose:)
Great Job!
Pumori — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 06:01Great job on your first acclimatization rotation! Hope you're enjoying the thicker air, showers, and pastries at Base Camp, and may the next round be a little easier.
Shanda from Glencoe, Calif. (in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, halfway between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite)
cheering for you from
Visitor — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 06:15cheering for you from Prague!
but from New Orleans, LA and an avid vicarious Everest climber. thanks for the dispatches and go go go! sending safety, warm smiles and lotsof weather luck!
melissa
ok attila is paul's climbing
Visitor — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 09:55ok attila is paul's climbing partner....but you allget mixed up some times....i still wish you luck
Location
Visitor — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 10:23I'm from Saratoga Springs which is upstate New York, USA- home of horse racing and just below the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. I've enjoyed following all your messages. As someone who doesn't climb, I am amazed at your courage and stamina. But as someone who appreciates a journey, whether internal and/or physical, I am cheering you on from here.
Sally
Hey Pat!
gregd — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 12:22Just me again. Sorry it has been a while. Got updated on your emails this morning. have not been coming to the office the past week or so to check emails. Happy to hear everything is still going good and enjoy reading your adventure. Talk with you later.
Greg D.
PSE 4U1-Almonte High
Visitor — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 12:38G'day Pat! It seems like yesterday you were visting our class. Glad to hear everything is going well. How close are you to the final climb to the top?! Down here in the valley everything is pretty much the same. Well we had a snow storm last Monday and now it is finally summer weather! So when you get off the little mountain warm weather awaits you! Enjoy every step of your climb!
Chris Spratt, Victoria Davey, Kelly McPhail
P.S. We are giving the website to all the others in our class! Peace out P-unit! You rock!
Hello
Visitor — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 13:17Pat,
It is good hear you are safe and climbing! I hope everything goes as your plan. We are almost then end of semester! Take care and be safe!
Abbas Tavakoli, Columbia SC
Pat, Sounds like things are
Gloria — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 13:57Pat,
Sounds like things are going well. We keep you in our thoughts and prayers and occassionally think up some more work for you to do at school.
We miss you--be safe.
Gloria Fowler
Hey Pat!
Visitor — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 14:05Keep climbing and stay safe. This is Tricia. Hope you are enjoying the beauty there. Breathe deeply and keep your eye on the prize. Tricia Evans
Lexington, SC
Powhatan, VA
Bill and Michele — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 14:06What a beautiful photograph, I can almost see that avalanche headed down the field. I told another nurse friend of mine about your climb and she told me in the state of Virginia, the problem is the shortage of faculty to teach new nurses, not enough accredited schools, ratio of student per teacher. I listened to Paul's recent audio blog, he was interviewed by a reporter. Any interviews coming up for you? Also, glad to hear about the safety precautions available and that you will utilize what is available to make the climb a success. Michele
Greetings from Newfoundland Canada
Visitor — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 15:12Hi there,
I enjoy reading the events posted on the web. It is such a treat to read the goings on on each day of your climb. Trust the weather is going to aid and not hinder the climb. Praying for all the climbers to reach the summit safely. you have already done so much more than most of us can only dream about. Good luck and take care.
Sheila
St. Catherine's
Newfoundland
Canada
new car
Visitor — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 15:40Pat,
I just got my new car last week. I really like it. It feels strange to be driving this car after driving that Maxima for so long. It was definitely time for a change. Yesterday I sold the Maxima for $500. Probably could have gotten a little more, but I just wanted to get it sold, as I didn't have room to park it anywhere. I sure got my moneys worth out of that car.
I hope to be able to get to Myrtle Beach with Carol and the family. It just depends on work. I have not been to the beach in a long time. I miss it.
I showed this site to a guy I work with, Tyler, and he is really impressed with what you are doing. He may send you a message.
Keep checking the equipment, and please stay safe.
Larry Paulson
Memphis, TN
just beingh weirdv
Visitor — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 16:22yoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
my name is kayla hickey i love to eat food. oh yeah im best friends with emma collins. and i would like to say that i read that story on the girl who did drugs and did achol since she was tweleve. i thought that it was really deep. i would like to give you my best support and wishes om clinbing mount everest! i think that it is really cool thet you actually have the guts to do that...............................
shure i barley have the guts well im, actually afraid of heights so i just really want to say that i would like to keep doing a great job and keep up the great work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
kayla hickey :newfoundland
Tanila Price
tanila — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 17:08I am from a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. I am enjoying reading your posts very much.
I, too
tanila — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 17:09am a nurse. I retired a couple of years ago to become a professional grandmother. I worked for over 30 years in the E.R.
hey
Visitor — Wed, 04/25/2007 - 21:57Dr Hickey,
I just wanted to email you and wish you good luck! I'm so proud that you are representing nursing and USC in such a courageous way! We are lucky to have you in our lives! Hope you are having a wonderful time! See you when you return!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Paglia, RN (the blonde in your 708 class last Spring ;) )
Columbia, SC
God's Blessings
Visitor — Thu, 04/26/2007 - 03:55Mr. Pat:
We are so glad that you are okay. Make sure that you double check all of your gear. I know that you all watch over each other. Take care - come home safe. Love, Linda-Dorothy-Elda and all the gang. Good times!!! God bless you and keep you safe. Dorothy and I continue to light candles for all of you! Love, Ms. Linda Gomez-Zepeda.
Pat's request for information about readers
Visitor — Thu, 04/26/2007 - 13:37Dear Pat...
I learned about your adventure through The State and I've been telling all of my family and friends about it ever since then. I've been reading your blogs, but this is the first time that I've contributed anything. Since you asked for names and addresses, mine is Gere B. Fulton and I live at 311 Wiltshire Way in Columbia, SC 29229. I am a retired professor of public health and I've also done some teaching at Palmetto Richland. I hope that I'll have the opportunity to meet you once you return to Columbia.
I wish you and your fellow climbers a safe ascent and return home.
Onward and upward!
Gere
Gidday
maureen billiald — Thu, 04/26/2007 - 16:06Hi, Pat:
I think you would remember me as Maureen Hickey. It's been so long.
Just thought I should let you know this is an amazing task you are taking on and good for you. You should be so proud of yourself. It is quite an ordeal. You are so brave. My prayers are with you and the pictures are breathtaking and even scarry. You are one powerful man, Pat, all the best. Oh yeah, I went back to school at 40 years old, became an Education Assistant and I have been working with high school students and I really really like my job. It is a daily challenge. Sometimes I just wish, that students would realize the importance of learning. Maybe, depending on where I am located next year, I could make arrangements for you to come at speak at that school I'm sure you would be in major demand, but can I get first dibs. It wouldn't be far from Almonte, cause I live near Smiths Falls. Anyway, hope all is well, bell's gone, gotta run. See ya.
PS Weather here is cool, but seasonal not quite short season.
Maureen .
You are awesome
Visitor — Fri, 04/27/2007 - 01:06Pat,
I am continuously amazed by your diligence and dedication. As you know I hale from the Buckeye State of OHIO!!!!
God Speed my friend.
Jeanne
Great Idea
Visitor — Fri, 04/27/2007 - 02:43Hi Pat - That's a neat idea to map everyone's location - it'll be fun to see the results! Winding down here and rewinding for the summer group. No rest...but not complaining since you're doing the heavy work for us. Loving the blogs and the amazing photos. Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences. Be safe!
Bev (Columbia, SC)
Tuktyoyaktuk in the North West Territories..
Larry — Fri, 04/27/2007 - 03:52Hi Patrick...I have heard from my brother in law Matthew Blamires ( Married to sister Julie) that you were mapping people who are following your great adventure. Well let the map show Tuktoyaktuk way up on the Beaufort Sea in beautiful North West Territories in the fabulous land of Canada has joined the list of devotted specatators.
Our human connnection to your journey is Mike Allsop ( spelling?) who was an important participant in a most significant event in our lives being Matthew's marriage to my sister. Mike one of the " Best Men" at the wedding.
I work also as a nurse practitioner in the far north and have been blessed in my job to love what I do and to be able to live for the past 16 years amongst our First Nations Aboriginal peoples living in various communities from Northern Ontario, to Nunavut , the Yukon, Northern British Columbia and the North West Territories. I want to wish you and your team all the best of safety and luck in your journey. At at time when inspiring activities are few and far between you and your team have stepped up to the plate. Continue to inspire us.
From Larry Thompson
AORN strength sent your way
BDenholm — Fri, 04/27/2007 - 07:12Pat - I love reading comments from your fellow team climbers. What an amazing journey you are on. We are having weather elements again in the Denver area with a giant boulder slamming onto the highway on Tuesday night (3 days ago) - it was about the size of an RV and had to be blasted to clear the road and that was just in the foothills (not major altitude - about 8,000ft). Select mountain towns were hit with 18-24 inches of snow and yesterday there were tornadoes on the plains. Our building at work suffered some leaks with the slam of north wind and heavy rain. Okay, this is nothing compared to what you are dealing with, but it makes me think of you! I am heading for 9,000 and 10,000 feet elevations for the weekend in Colorado Rocky Mountains and will continue to send you strength and universal love. It feels so weird to know that you may be heading for base camp 3 at the same time and are so much higher than I can imagine. How is it feeling physically? I know you are getting reprive coming down to the lower base camps. I can't imagine the brain fog you must feel when higher than 20,000 ft.
I am thinking of you as I hear Sting via Police song - "Every move you make, every step you take... I'll be watching you" - the lyrics are out of context a bit as the rock and roll version may take it elsewhere- but for our purposes we are all with you with every step and you have the universal Spirit watching and guiding you with every move you make. Here's to your mission and your continued dialogue with the mountain.
Safe travels to you
Bonnie
To the nose blower
Visitor — Fri, 04/27/2007 - 10:10Hi Pat,
Mike did say that he is getting sore ears from wearing his ear plugs too much......but don't you worry he is used to getting woken up all the time by the kids, but it's usually getting wrestled @ 5am.....I bet he misses that more than anything right now. Mike just called and told me about the sherpa that was killed, very sorry to hear that, just reminds us I guess of the danger that you are all faced with everyday up there, so please take care.... my love to Mike!! Wendy
hey
Visitor — Mon, 04/30/2007 - 14:42My dad sent me a link to this; hopefully I can be the person who's farthest north! I'm on exchange in Alajärvi Finland still - the country is pretty flat. No mountains to climb here, unfortunately.
Anyhow 'Uncle' Pat (and I still think of you as such!), I hope everything goes awesome and safe. Did you visit a temple with all the flags yet? and what are sherpas like? Wow, I think it's fantastic you're doing this. XD
-Elizabeth Oliver