A Great Weekend

Hello.

The weekend was a blur, but a good blur with the two Canadian Avalanche Foundation dinners - and presentations - in Whistler and Calgary. The Whistler event took place up at the Roundhouse with spectacular views out and behind the tables and screens that the AV team had set up for the show. The crowd were exceptionally warm and enthusiastic and I met old friends and some people I had heard of for years but never had the chance to meet. A great night! Thanks!

With Justin Trudeau and Chris Stetham in Whistler

The Calgary show held at the Hyatt downtown was a full on gala evening, with close to 700 people filling the ballroom and me and my wife Jen seated with the Canadian Pacific table, sitting with amongst others the CEO, Fred Green. Very fine people. Thanks for a memorable night. Chris Stetham, president of the CAF, thank you. I'd also like to thank Sharon Wood for her kind introduction and Justin Trudeau for his generous comments following the presentation. Hopefully the event was a success for the Avalanche Foundation!

Canadian Avalanche Foundation Dinners

Hi. The preparations continue for both the upcoming expedition as well as a few slide shows I have to deliver before I leave. Next weekend I will be presenting in Whistler and in Calgary as part of the Canadian Avalanche Foundation's Gala Fundraising Dinners. I am really looking forward to those events and of course feel absolutely no nerves about presenting to a heavy hitting crowd of CEOs, business people, famous political types, not to mention my peers and superiors from the climbing community...

Trent Edwards from the Calgary Herald wrote a story that appears in todays paper: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=d722e286-15c1-4970-91b6-71ff2c99cd8c&k=37900 that discusses this event.

I'm even finding some time to do some light training...a first for me ever, but with 40 around the corner not a bad idea...

Preparations and the Countdown

I am two and a half months from my return trip to Mt. Everest. I have been working with sponsors, media, friends and family in order to make this happen. The support I have received has been wonderful. I am excited, apprehensive and feeling fortunate to be able to return.