Just like all of you, i was drawn to this site by paul and fiona's amazing everest story.. First of all i will explain my background.. I'm 18 and just graduated from school and now work full time as a plastic welder. I am one massive adrenalin junky and heights is my specialty, I LOVE HEIGHTS. I have bungee jumped the nevis over in NZ and sky dived back home in australia and now looking for the ultimate goal, that will make me scared, pumped, push me to my limits and risk my life to complete the goal and just take in the untouched nature that most of us city slickers have no idea about... I always have taken a interest in climbing, just never followed it up. Now people say i am stupid and dreaming to think i can make it to the summit of everest, since i have no experience in mountaineering at all... and well hey, i don't blame them. But i am hooked and without any experience at all i can tell mountaineering is already my sport.. I am hooked and can't pull my self away from it and i can't stop talking about and i havn't even started yet! Anyway.. straight to the chase... I know its many years away from even a possibility and i know that the sport alone is very very pricey and thats not even talking about everest yet... So i need to ask.. HOW do people afford the funds to do the required courses to than climb the big mountains and also be able to afford the gear which is unbelievabley expensive.. I don't want to give up this dream.. i want to do it.. but i don't know how to fund my self for such an adventure... So please.. somebody lay me out some suggestions on what you or others alphine climbers do... Because i want to make mountaineering apart of my life!