From: Rob Saxe 
To: "Saxe, Rob (R.) [EXCHANGE:SKY:1V64]" 
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 12:43:39 PDT

Rob's Excellent Adventures continue....

Hey everybody,

Looks like I've done it again.  I've wrangled my way into four
weeks of vacation and am jetsetting off to unknown distant lands
on the flipside of this planet we call Earth.  This time I'm off
to the majestic mountains of the Himalayas, on a personal quest
of physical and mental endurance.  A journey that will culminate
with my setting foot on the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest.

Some of you may think I'm crazy, others know the truth (that I
really am), but this is something I've been obsessed with for a
couple years now, and I'll finally get the chance to realize
my dream.

For those of you who think I'm headed for the top, think again.
The chances of perishing on a summit attempt are one in eight.  I'm
not too thrilled about those odds.  My goal is the neighbouring
peak of Kala Pattar, situated at 18,200' or 5545m.  The views
of Chomolungma (Mother Goddess of the Earth - Everest) are apparently
spectacular from this site.  On the way down from the peak, we
spend the day at Everest Base Camp.  I'm hoping to get a chance
to meet and chat with the Canadian Everest Expedition 2000 team
(http://www.canoe.ca/Everest).

After three weeks trekking in the Himalayas at high altitude, I'm
planning a nice week of rest and relaxation on one of the tropical
islands in Thailand.  There I will put to the test, my skills
of vegetation (and of course some scuba diving).

My flight leaves tomorrow (Friday) morning at 7am and I arrive
in Kathmandu Sunday at noon.

I will try my best to keep everybody aprised of my experiences
throughout my journey.  I will have access to email in Kathmandu
and perhaps in Bankok, but very unlikely on the mountain (you'd
be surprised what technology Summit Teams bring in).

I would love to hear from everybody while I'm in Nepal.  It
gives me that little piece of home when I'm so far away.  I
can be reached at "rob_saxe@hotmail.com".

Take care all,

Rob "MountainMan" Saxe