I am very excited for you dude! Sounds like this is almost it, so be very safe, stay warm, and stay healthy! Good luck to you and everyone else there attempting to summit and can't wait to hear all about it!
Greg D.

Hi Pat,

We are thinking of you here and our thoughts are with you as you climb for the top. Paolo wanted to know what the air is like up there? He is giving his Grade 2 class updates of your climb and I think you have inspired this 8 year old to give it a try someday!

Big Hugs from Tucson,
Paddy, Alvaro y Paolo

Spent 4 days backpacking in the Red River Gorge, KY. Thought of you many, many times as I hiked. Be safe, have fun, and remember it all!

Burt Pardue
Columbia, SC

Here is one last summary for those who have not checked out the web link. This describes the journey from Camp 4 to the Summit. We will all be with you the next few days sending strength and prayers for safety as you climb to higher and higher ground (rock!). The journey of a lifetime! I look forward to audioblogs - they seem to be coming through now.
Bonnie
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/climb/waytosummitsou.html
The Southeast Ridge
The climbers reach the Southeast Ridge at 27,700 feet at a place known as "The Balcony." At this platform the climbers rest and admire the dawn light illuminating the peaks to the east and south. From here, the snow ridge rises 1,000 feet to the South Summit and gently arcs to the north. 400 feet below the South Summit, a series of rock steps often forces climbers to the east and into waist deep snow. This can often be the most strenuous and dangerous section of the climb, because the wind-deposited snow can be avalanche prone.

The South Summit
The climbers' first small victory of the day, the South Summit is a ping pong table-size dome of snow and ice at 28,700 feet. From here the climbers can obtain the view of the final obstacles ahead of them: the Cornice Traverse, the Hillary Step, and the final slopes to the summit. It is traditional to change oxygen bottles here so that one has a fresh bottle for the final ascent and return to the South Summit. If it's late in the day or the weather is deteriorating, this is the place to make the all-important decision to turn around.

The Cornice Traverse
A 400-foot long horizontal section of rock and wind-carved snow, this is easily the most intimidating section of the climb. Climbers must carefully traverse a knife-edge ridge of snow plastered to intermittent rocks. This is the most exposed section of the entire climb, and a misstep to the right would send a climber tumbling down the 10,000-foot Kangshung Face. A misstep to the left would send one careening 8,000 feet down the Southwest Face, were it not for the fixed ropes.

The Hillary Step
The most famous physical feature on Everest, the Hillary Step, at 28,750 feet, is a 40-foot spur of snow and ice. First climbed in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the Hillary Step is the last obstacle barring access to the gently angled summit slopes. Modern-day climbers use a fixed rope up here to ascend the Hillary Step. We marvel at Hillary and Tenzing's achievement in climbing this impressive mountaineering obstacle without fixed ropes and using what is now considered primitive ice climbing equipment.

The Summit
See QTVR View from the Summit
At 29,028 feet, the world's highest point is covered with an assortment of prayer flags, remnants of surveying equipment and other offerings from climbers (photographs of family members, prayer packets, and discarded oxygen bottles). Covering the area of a picnic table, the snow-covered summit slopes steeply away to the north, southwest, and east. Climbers take care to not venture too far to the east as the massive cornices overhang a 10,000-foot face. The 360-degree panorama takes in the Tibetan Plateau to the north, as well as the great Himalayan peaks of Kanchenjunga to the east, Makalu to the southeast, and Cho Oyu to the west. On a clear day, it seems as if one can see across half a continent. 150 feet below the summit, climbers heading down often collect small rocks as mementos of their climb.

Hey Pat!
Keep up the amazing work and stay safe. You all are an inspiration!
Conni Howes
Chicago
USA

Hi Mike (NZ), Pat, Anna and Rob,

Well this is it the final push! Good luck to you all and I will be thinking of you over these next couple of crucial days ahead.
Mike, I can't wait to see you and to hear your stories first hand of this amazing adventure.
Keep safe and take care.
Penny

Hi just looked at Dylans ears ... your wife is clear to go to Nepal Monday. Good luck with the next few days wowwwwwww xxx Jodie

Hi from all of Auntie Jan's Mah Jong Cronies in Perth Western Australia! We will all be thinking of you on the 24th and giving Jan the smelling salts when she gets the vapours. She is so proud of you!
Liz,Faye Noelle and Ann

We're thinking about you in Columbia and wishing you the absolute best summit experience ever! From all your friends and fans - GO PAT!!!

John S

Ok Pat, you're sounding strong, healthy and ready! Good luck! Belinda

Hi Pat, I found another internet connection along the way! I am so excited for you. I'll be thinking of you and praying for your safety. You're looking thinner but you have lots of time to catch up when you return! Stay strong Pat. We're behind you!

Sandra

Best wishes, stay safe and warm, looking forward to hearing those audio blogs, have a great time and never forget your time at Everst, God bless,
Cathy, New Milford, CT

Dear Pat,

I would like to meet you and tell you about the 'Silent Zone'. It is a special place in Mexico. One more thing, cars don't start up there very well. I am excited to hear about your climb and hope that we can share stories some time.

Be well and don't give up,
Paolo

Hi Pat from Michaels Mum --Joan . Many ,many good wishes to you all on your momentous day ,Thursday . You have made this time so much more bearable for us all Pat ,Thankyou .God Bless you all -- Go Well .
Our Dearest Michael ,we are all meeting at your house to be there waiting for your call from the summit on Thursday [ with the Bollinger] We are all so excited . Ethan showed me his chart that he fixes a star to every day until you get home . He said " My Dads going to be on top of the world "., All the babes are fine [Dylan stayed overnight with me on Saturday and it was great } Wendy is coping magnificently and is excited about her travel plans . Go well and God speed to you all .With all our love .Mum ,Wendy ,Ethan ,Maya ,Dylan ,Bobby ,Jess ,Benson ,Elsie ,Mel.Connor, Penny ,Brian and Lorraine,BJ .Gillian ,Peter from above ,Chris ,Dee ,Peter,Sadie .
Take the greatest care coming down . We all love you and are so proud of you .

Pat,
I met you with Kate Lincoln several months ago. I work here at Richland with her. We are both keeping up with your blog and are so excited for you and your group! We are thinking about y'all and looking foward to hearing more about your inspirational climb!

pat,
i used to tutor you in bios757. i've been following your blog and love all your updates. i wish you all the best on your everest climb. good luck and be safe!
all the best,
margaret
columbia, sc usa

We've been following your progress. Fantastic!! Keep safe and Good Luck! Come and see us when you get back to UK. Much love Eileen, Paul, Kate and Kelly xxxxx

I check on your progress on a regular basis. You've got a lot of folks rooting for you back home. Enjoy your climb and stay safe. You make all us nurses proud!!
Fran King

Just climbed Diamond Head and thinking of you. 900 feet, 26 degrees, beers cold, babes are hot. How's it with you?! All the best from Pete Mount, Pip, and Fi