Actually I was talking about Everest, Kansas.

Man, what a shithole. Soap suds wouldn't rinse off. Hottest chick in town had a goiter.

Claus - I went there 3 years ago. I did the Nepal side and made it as far as LeBouche - we didn't quite make it all the way to base camp as we ran out of time. 13 days on the trail and we needed another 2 to make it the last 4 hours and stay there overnight. LeBouche is at 16,400 feet. It was a very big trip for me. One that I will cherish the rest of my life, assuming I don't get to go back someday...

Anyway, I could go on for hours. If you need any advice or have ANY questions about doing this, email me. I have tons of info if you want to ask, places you MUST see, things you MUST do. That kind of thing. BTW - KTM is AMAZING! Make sure to eat at Mike's Breakfast (story withheld) at least once.

For those of you that think the trip he's planning is easy, think again. I started training for my trip about 18 months ahead of time and still wasn't in the shape I could have been. I suffered in the high altitude. It's very different to do a ski trip at 13k+ for a day or two. When you go to 15k+ and then stay there for several days, it really does a number on your body. I was on the trail for 13 days and lost 15+ pounds. The first thing altitude does to you is kill your appetite. So we should all respect Claus for even attempting this trip. It's much tougher than most people think. I saw many people stop at 12k because they couldn't deal with it. In fact the other guy on our trip had to stop at Naamche because he caught a bug and was violently ill for a week while we went ahead and left him there in the care of a barely English speaking porter. We had no choice but he was better when we returned a week and a half later.

-Gonzo

Thats great, I will check out your travel blog for sure when you put it up.

Gonzo,

this makes my post so worht while. I have read up on the trip and know the requirements and the risks. I have done come crazy shit in my time and this will be in the top 5. I am training at a good pace right now and am confident that I can trek 6-8 hours a day with 75lbs strapped without being bust. The altitude is hard to predict BUT it has to be tried.

I will email you for sure with questions. Do you have any pictures you can post?. YES KTM is also on my mind..

Cheers for this !...

C

It's actually been an interesting subject for me. In fact I'm in the middle of the book,"High Crimes" by Michael Kodas, one of many. I wish you the best and hope you are able to keep us posted. Please be safe up there!