The Recap

Home safe and sound.

Sadly, due to hazardous rock fall conditions, we had to turn around at the base of the 'Grey Tower', about 20,000'. We were about 18 hours from the summit, but lead guide Brian Warren felt the conditions were too dangerous to continue.

However, due to your support and generosity the expedition was a success because we will raise nearly $37,000 for the Make-A-Wish foundation. Each of you were on the trip with me and during difficult times, I thought of all the Make-A-Wish kids and their struggles and they kept me going.

You can still become part of the Climbing Team by donating at the following link: http://friends.wish.org/022-000/page/Steven-Cook/Steve's-Wish-Climb.htm





At the bottom of the Grey Tower @ 20,000'



Our Sherpa Team

Camp 1

 

 

Camp 2

Yellow Tower 

 

Update

Even with the recent political issues and fuel issues in Nepal, we are still scheduled to depart this Saturday.

My flights go through LA and Seoul, Korea then on to Kathmandu ... 30 hours later. From Kathmandu we fly in to Lukla next Wednesday, then trek to basecamp.

We still have space on the Climbing Team. TO DONATE TO MAKE-A-WISH CLICK HERE: Steve's Wish Climb

$32,000!!!

OK, so just 12 days to go to departure and I'm getting pretty anxious! I started to taper a bit on my fitness. I find trainingpeaks.com to be very helpful in managing my time and workouts. But I'm still a bit nervous about my fitness so I'm going to stay at it for a bit longer, just cut down on the time and intensity.

I raised the goal to $32,000 because we've had so many generous people become a part of the joy of Make-A-Wish. We still have a few spots left on the climbing team, so if you'd like to be a part of the expedition click here: http://friends.wish.org/022-000/page/Steven-Cook/Steve's-Wish-Climb.htm

New members of the Expedition below:

My doc: Dr. Mark Florek

Shawn Fopma, Wakonda Club Iowa

Oakland Hills Golf Pro, Pat Croswell

Rick Tegtmeier, Des Moines GC

New Goal!!

Thanks to your generosity, we've raised the goal ..... Now at $32,000!

Let's keep climbing!!!

Update

Thank you to Purpose2play for the nice exposure article for Make-A-Wish. I'm not too comfortable with all the press, but if it's good for MAW then I'm all for it.

Thanks also to Hometown Life for the nice article giving MAW a little more PR!

I'm feeling really good and motivated with some excellent workouts since I returned from Wyoming.

Training on The Grand

Headed out to Jackson WY on Wednesday to do some training for Nepal. The terrain is similar, although at much lower elevation. This will be a good opportunity to test some gear and spend time with the lead guide on the Nepal expedition, Brian Warren from Alpenglow Expeditions.

 

 

Me and Brian Warren

 

This Week

Today and tomorrow will be a long bike ride and a long hike/swim, about 6 hours total. Seven weeks from today I leave for Nepal, so time is short!

My heel pain seems to be under control...a visit to the doctor three days before I leave for a 'special' injection will carry me through the climb.

Thank you so much for your encouragement and support of Make-A-Wish! It means a lot to me and to the kids lives that we are improving.