What follows is a copy of my blog postings, beginning right after I met Andy Intrater to train for Everest. To start at the beginning of the blog posts, go to the bottom of this list and work up to the last entry here at the top.

March 22, 2014: Packed up this morning. Great send-off at church and lunch with my friends. 6:15 flight tonight.

March 21, 2014: Did a little bit of everything, chest, back, and legs with my trainer this morning, 1 hour. We finished it off with a motivational and uplifting talk. I’m ready for Everest! Leaving tomorrow.

March 20, 2014: Did a back and chest workout, 1 hour, with my trainer.

March 19, 2014: I spent the day packing and getting ready for Everest.

March 18, 2014: This morning I did a 1-hour leg workout with my trainer.

March 17, 2014: This morning I did a light back and chest workout, 1 hour, with my trainer. Continued the packing process at home.

March 16, 2014: I spent the day just hanging out with family and friends.

March 15, 2014: Today was my send-off party at Carmichael Seventh Day Adventist Church. What an awesome party my friends put on for me! I felt very blessed and honored by all the comments and testimonies. I will carry every person in my heart to the top of Everest. Thanks to everyone for making it a very special day!!!

March 14, 2014: This morning I did a 1-hour leg workout with my trainer. The leg workout consisted of leg raises, leg presses and step-ups with 50#. The leg presses started at 800# for 30 reps and ended at 1,000# for 30 reps. We finished on the treadmill with my 65-pound pack and my air restriction mask for a 3-set superset of treadmill and squats. This afternoon I took a 3-mile hike with my two daughters, Shelly and Deanna, and my grandson Bobby.

March 13, 2014: I did an upper body workout, with my trainer for 1 hour this morning. This afternoon I went for a 3-mile walk with my 65-pound pack with my friend Jill.

March 12, 2014: I worked on gear all day. Just about ready. A little over one week to go.

March 11, 2014: I did a leg workout with my trainer this morning for 1 hour. The workout included leg raises, leg presses, and step-ups. The leg presses started at 800# and finished with 15 reps at nearly 1,600#. It was an emotional breakthrough when I realized I had moved that much weight. I can do Everest!!

March 10, 2014: This morning I did a back work out with my trainer for 1 hour. Then I went for active-release therapy with my chiropractor. This afternoon I did the 3-mile walk with my 65-pound pack in 55 minutes.

March 9, 2014: I made another batch of the Everest Bar today with Jill, Moe, and Hillary. Chris from Whole Foods was there with us through the entire process. Donna, a Whole Foods shopper, helped out with buying all the ingredients. We made 225 bars.

March 8, 2014: I did a run/walk through Central Park with Steve and John. We had lunch with Andy and headed home later in the day.

March 7, 2014: I participated in a VO2 max test today that was conducted as part of my preparation for Mt. Everest. The results showed that my AT is 93%, and my VO2 max (ml/kg/min) is 44.5.

March 6, 2014: I flew to New York today to visit with Andy and do a VO2 max test.

March 5, 2014: I went to my chiropractor this morning and did some errands to get ready for my trip to New York tomorrow. I will be visiting with Andy and will meet Thom, my videographer on Everest. Friday I will be taking a VO2 max test. Back home on Saturday. Then I have only two weeks before I leave for Everest on the 22nd. Everything seems to be falling in place.

March 4, 2014: I did a leg workout with my personal trainer this morning for 1 hour. The workout included hamstring and quad extensions, a superset of 90 step-ups with 50# and one-leg presses, and the 40-degree leg press with the last two sets at 1,000# for 30 reps.

March 3, 2014: I did an upper body workout this morning, chest, with my personal trainer for 1 hour.

March 2, 2014: I snowshoed up Mt. Ralston with my friend Marie. We got about 3/4 of the way to the top and decided to turn around because of the weather front that was approaching. We were climbing fast, so we still got in a good workout of over 2-1/2 hours.

March 1, 2014: I took the day off and spent it with friends and family.

February 28, 2014: Did a workout this morning with my personal trainer, chest, 1 hour. Late in the workout, some emotions came up. TJ and I talked about it, and I discovered that I’m starting to really believe I can do this Everest climb. I think part of the emotions was a letting go of some of the stress that I have been under in getting ready. Last week I realized that I had done the work and I am very ready physically for the climb. It all came together in my heart this morning. That this is even possible is a true blessing.

February 27, 2014: Did another leg work out this week with my personal trainer this morning for 1 hour. The workout included quad extensions, hamstring extensions, and an oxygen-deprivation 3 set, 2 minutes each, superset on the treadmill, 15% slope, followed by squats for 45 sec—all the time I was wearing my oxygen mask (restricted breathing) and my 65-pound pack. The treadmill was not powered. Followed up with a 2-hour massage.

February 26, 2014: This morning I drove up to Auburn to practice the French step crampon technique on the “Goat Hill” aka “Jim’s Hill from Hell.” The hill is located under the Foresthill Bridge at Hwy 49 and the American River confluence and is 1,000 feet in 1/2 mile. I did the lower half three times with my Koflach boots and crampons.

February 25, 2014: Did a leg workout with my personal trainer this morning for 1 hour. The workout included quad extensions, 1-leg leg presses on the 40-degree leg machine, and an oxygen-deprivation superset of walking while not breathing plus the seated cable row. Came home and then went out and did a pack walk with my 65-pound pack, 3 miles, in 53 minutes.

February 24, 2014: Did an upper body workout, chest, with my personal trainer for 1 hour. Weights are still increasing.

February 23, 2014: I did some serious stretching this morning. Feeling really good after the snowshoe yesterday.

February 22, 2014: Snowshoed Pyramid Peak today with my friend Greg. Took us just under 4 hours to top-out and 2-1/2 hours to get down. Pyramid is in Desolation Wilderness just off Hwy 50 near Twin Bridges. It is a 4-mile climb and 4,000 feet of elevation gain that starts at 6,000 feet and goes to 9,987 feet. The snow conditions were great for snowshoeing, and the snow was nearly down to the highway. We encountered continuous snow about 6,800 feet.

February 21, 2014: Did an upper body workout, chest, with my personal trainer for 1 hour. Played 18 holes of golf.

February 20, 2014: Did an upper body workout, back, with my personal trainer for 1 hour. Later in the day, I walked three miles with my 65-pound pack for 55 minutes.

February 19, 2014: I took the day from training to work on gear and systems.

February 18, 2014: Did a leg workout with my personal trainer this morning for 1 hour. The workout included quad extensions, leg presses, and an oxygen-deprivation super set on the treadmill, 15% slope, and squats with 25# and 50#. I then went to my other gym and spent 30 minutes on the stair mill with a 45-pound pack. Did 100 sit-ups and then spent another 30 minutes stretching.

February 17, 2014: Did an upper body workout, back, with my personal trainer for 1 hour. Did 100 sit-ups on my own. Spent about an hour on my ladder in the backyard practicing with my crampon technique for the Icefall on Everest.

February 16, 2014: Rode my bike from Natomas out to Sunrise Avenue and back, 45 miles. I averaged nearly 18 mph in 2-1/2 hours. Weather was great. I didn’t need to wear all the winter layers.

February 15, 2014: I took the day off today and hung out with friends.

February 14, 2014: Hiked to the Blue Ridge overlook on the Loop Trail at Berryessa Lake training hill with Jill. I carried a 65# backpack and did the up in 40 minutes. Went back down and hiked halfway up again with the 65-pound pack. The conditions were really good today.

February 13, 2014: Did an upper body workout, back, with my personal trainer for 1 hour. After that, I did 30 of stretching and finished off with a short bicep workout.

February 12, 2014: Drove up to Auburn to practice the French crampon technique on the “Goat Hill” aka “Jim’s Hill from Hell.” The hill is located under the Foresthill Bridge at Hwy 49 and the American River confluence and is 1,000 feet in 1/2 mile. I did the lower half three times with my Koflach boots and crampons.

February 11, 2014: Did a leg workout with my personal trainer this morning for 1 hour. The workout included quad extensions, the 40-degree leg press with the last set at 1,400#, a superset of 90 step-ups with 50# and one-leg presses, and another superset, 3 x 20, of overhead presses and front raises and shoulder extensions. Spent another 1/2 hour stretching.

February 10, 2014: Worked out with my personal trainer this morning, chest, for 1 hour. He added a superset at the end to amp up the cardio. It worked. This afternoon I hiked Stevens Creek Trail near Colfax, 9.0 miles and 1200 ft of elevation change, with Marie. We hiked down in 65 minutes and back up in 1 hour and 21 minutes.

February 9, 2014: Went to the gym this morning and spent 30 minutes on the stair mill with a 40-pound pack. Did 100 sit-ups and then spent another 30 minutes on the treadmill at a 15% slope with my 40-pound pack. I practiced the French crampon technique on both machines. Finished with stretching. Later this afternoon I did a pack walk with my 65-pound pack, three miles, in 57 minutes.

February 8, 2014: Day off from training. I attended church and had lunch with friends. I went to Paula’s retirement party in the evening.

February 7, 2014: Hiked to the Blue Ridge overlook on the Loop Trail at Berryessa Lake training hill with Jill. I carried a 65-pound backpack. Very muddy conditions slowed us down. Late this afternoon I went to the gym with my Everest summit pack with 35 pounds inside and spent 30 minutes on the stair mill at 50 steps per minute. Finished off with 100 sit-ups and stretching.

February 6, 2014: Did an upper body workout, back, with my personal trainer for 1 hour. After that, I did 30 of stretching and finished off with a short bicep workout.

February 5, 2014: Did a pack walk with a 65-pound pack, three miles, in 60 minutes. Plus 50 step-ups on a park bench.

February 4, 2014: Did a leg workout with my personal trainer this morning for 1 hour. The workout included quad extensions, the 40-degree leg press, and a superset, 4 x 20, of overhead presses and front raises and step-ups with 50 pounds. Spent another 1/2 hour stretching.

February 3, 2014: Did an upper body workout, chest and shoulders, with my personal trainer for 1 hour. The last 20 minutes was an oxygen-deprivation-super set, 4 x 20, of overhead presses, front raises, and lunges. Following that, I did 30 minutes of cardio, 100 sit-ups, and stretching.

February 2, 2014: I am taking the day off from training. Watching Super Bowl with my daughter Deanna and friends Greg, Tina, and Marcelena.

February 1, 2014: Drove up to Sugar Bowl today to meet Jenni, a guide with International Mountain Guides. We spent a couple of hours practicing crampon techniques, particularly the French technique. It was time well spent.

January 31, 2014: Hiked to the Blue Ridge overlook on the Loop Trail (the last steep portion, up and down) at Berryessa Lake training hill with Jill. I had 65 pounds in the backpack and did the up portion in 38 minutes.

January 30, 2014: Did an upper body workout, back, with my personal trainer for 1 hour. After that, I did a 30-minute cardio workout on a stationary bike, some stretching and finished off with 100 sit-ups and a short bicep workout.

January 29, 2014: Did 30 minutes on the stair mill at my gym at 60 steps per minute. Did a little French crampon technique with cross-over stepping as practice for cramponing. Followed that with 30 minutes of stretching.

January 28, 2014: Did a leg workout with my personal trainer this morning for 1 hour. The workout included quad extensions, the 40-degree leg press with the last set at 1,000#, leg lunges with 50 pounds and step-ups.

January 27, 2014: Did an upper body workout, chest and shoulders, with my personal trainer for 1 hour. Intensity is increasing. Spent another 45 minutes stretching and finished off with 100 sit-ups.

January 26, 2014: Rode my bike from Natomas out to Sunrise Avenue and back, 45 miles. I averaged about 18 mph.

January 25, 2014: Day off. Went to church in the morning and then spent the evening with friends at a birthday party for Heidi.

January 24, 2014: Hiked to the Blue Ridge overlook on the Loop Trail (the last steep portion, up and down) at Berryessa Lake training hill with my friend Jill. I had 35 pounds in the backpack and did the up portion in 31 minutes.

January 23, 2014: I did a 1-hour workout, chest, with my personal trainer this morning. We are intensifying each set to break down, and then plan a rebuilding process by the end of March.

January 22, 2014: Took a brisk walk today to stretch my legs and work out some of the lactic acid from yesterday’s workout.

January 21, 2014: Did a leg workout with my personal trainer this morning for 1 hour. The workout included leg extensions, 40-degree leg press, squats, and lunges.

January 20, 2014: Did an upper body workout, 1 hour, chest, with my personal trainer.

January 19, 2014: Went to my gym this morning and did major stretching of my legs. It has been since Christmas that I have been in a gym or done any real stretching. Felt really good. Finished with a half hour on the stair mill at 60 steps per minute.

January 18, 2014: Hiked Castle Peak today with Heidi, Sara, Keren, and Rich. I intended to test my new Koflach boots with crampons, so we went only to the base of the peak and turned around. The trail had only partial snow, but I still found out what I wanted to know about the boots. They will work fine lower down on Everest.

January 17, 2014: Back to Sacramento. I hate to leave Adalynn, her parents, and my daughter’s family. It was a pretty cool week, but time to go home. I will be back soon.

January 16, 2014: The baby comes home. A big deal for the Geiger family. Four generations of Geiger’s.

January 15, 2014: Adalynn is born. Yay! At 2:00 a.m. Adalynn arrived. We are soooo happy. She is the first girl in the family in 38 years. Oh, and my bags arrived this morning too.

January 14, 2014: Hurry up and wait. Adalynn is taking her time.

January 13, 2014: We took Taylor (the expectant mom) to the hospital about 8:00 p.m. Hoping for delivery tomorrow.

January 12, 2014: On to Chicago. We arrived in Miami at 4:30 a.m. Didn’t sleep at all on the planes. Got to customs, but my duffel bags didn’t. They missed the transfer in Santiago. I had to file a claim in Chicago for lost baggage. Took the bus to Shelly’s home. It was so good to see everyone. We are all excited about the upcoming birth of the newest addition to our family, Adalynn. She is expected on Tuesday. I will go home to Sacramento later in the week.

January 11, 2014: Returned to the U.S. Got up about 12:30 p.m. Shaved for the first time since Christmas. It took a bit of doing. I had to clip most with a scissor. Packed my bags and took a cab to the airport for the flight to Santiago and then on to Miami.

January 10, 2014: Flew back to Punta Arenas. The IL76 arrived right on time at 2:00 a.m. It had to unload and load cargo, so we were not able to get on the plane until 4:00 a.m. We got into Punta about 8:30 a.m. and to the hotel about 10:00 a.m. We all slept the entire afternoon and then went to Shackleton’s Bar for celebratory drinks of pisco sours. Dinner followed and then we all capped off the night at the Dream Bar. More pisco sours and tequila. Late to bed and late to get up.

January 9, 2014: Still waiting. Slept in and had lunch. I proceeded to wait some more. Finally, we got word that the IL76 would be arriving tomorrow morning at 2:00 a.m.

January 8, 2014: Hurry up and wait. Took a shower and just hung out the rest of the day, waiting to fly home.

January 7, 2014: Flew to Union Glacier. Just as we were finishing breakfast, we got the word that our plane was coming and we had 45 minutes to get our gear ready. We are now back at Union Glacier, and the climb is in the books.

January 6, 2014: Down-climb to Vinson Base Camp. Today we down climbed from high camp to base camp. Just a long, uneventful day. Had overcast weather all day making it a cold one. No flights coming or going. So, we will have to wait to get out. Set up camp and proceeded to wait.

January 5, 2014: Team summits Vinson Massif! Good day at the bottom of the world. A little cold, -36F, and a little breezy. But we all made the summit of Vinson Massif. 100% on top. It was awesome to come back and get er done this time!

January 4, 2014: Moved to high camp. The Team made the move from low camp and got to work melting ice like crazy, rehydrating, eating and prepping for a possible summit attempt in the morning. We waited until the sun had begun to warm up high camp before setting off. Tomorrow’s summit bid, of course, is all weather dependent, especially with the winds. So far, it looks like we may have a shot. And if not tomorrow, there’s the next day or the next. The trick is to pick the right shot. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for the weather to cooperate.

January 3, 2014: Rest day at low camp. Today is a rest day here at low camp. Weather’s not perfect, and it’s windy up high, but low camp is exactly the right place to be “weathering the storm,” so to speak. I worked with Aaron and Maduhra on my crampon technique. I also tried to repair a nasty blister I developed while hiking up to low camp.

January 2, 2014: Carried to high camp. Today was a carry-day to high camp. The carry is up a steep 60-degree slope for about 3,000 feet. We left early afternoon and got back about 9:30 p.m.

January 1, 2014: Rest day/training day. Happy New Year! It was very cold last night. But the day is turning out pretty good, warming up to about -15 degrees F. Today is a training day working on fixed lines and running belays. The team is functioning very well. And I feel very privileged to be here.

December 31, 2013: Moved to low camp. Broke camp about 10:00 a.m. and moved to low camp. Helped set up tents and cut blocks for POSH (kitchen) tent. We get to sleep in tomorrow.

December 30, 2013: Carried to low camp. Carried a big load in backpacks and sleds up to low camp and went back down to Vinson Base Camp for the night.

December 29, 2013: Team at Vinson Base Camp. We took off last night aboard an IL76 from Punta Arenas, Chile, heading south. A short night was spent at Union Glacier, approximately 80-degrees S. latitude. This morning we were on another flight aboard a Twin Otter heading for Vinson Base Camp. We immediately started preparing for a carry tomorrow to C1 at around 10,000 feet on Vinson. Like most expedition climbs, a carry and then a move to a higher camp is sort of standard procedure. We had clear skies and almost no wind. Remember, it’s light 24/7 that far south at this time of year—no headlamps required on a Vinson climb.

December 28, 2013: Team assembles in Punta Arenas. We are all here, and the last pieces of luggage are in, and gear checks complete. We have made it through the first challenges of Vinson, arriving in Punta Arenas with our luggage. The weather here is perfect, no wind and a few clouds in the sky. We are going to take a late lunch and stand by this evening. Late lunch includes the standard trip to Lomito’s for a burger! Perhaps one of the best burgers on the world tour. We are quite optimistic that we will fly tonight….so the hurry up AND wait begins at 6:30 p.m. That is the latest from Punta Arenas.

December 27, 2013: Arrived Punta Arenas, Chile. After about 30 hours of travel and a plane malfunction which almost caused me to miss my flight to Punta Arenas, I finally arrived at 1:45 p.m. (5-hour time difference). I had a gear check and seemed to have more than enough. So, some of it will be left behind.

December 26, 2013: Leave for Antarctica. Took a 4:50 a.m. cab to the airport for an American Airline flight to LA where I got on a LAN flight to Santiago and then on to Punta Arenas, Chile.

December 25, 2013: Merry Christmas! Tomorrow I leave for Antarctica. Follow my trip here as I go to climb Vinson Massif.

December 24, 2013: Did a leg workout with my personal trainer this morning for one hour. The workout included leg extensions, 40-degree leg press, and deadlifts. I spent the next half hour stretching. Dinner tonight with my daughter.

December 23, 2013: Did an upper body workout, 1 hour, back, with my personal trainer. I spent another 1/2 hour stretching, especially my legs.

December 22, 2013: Hiked up Castle Peak with Devon and Ryan. We decided to use crampons which proved to be a good choice for most of it because of the packed conditions. Up higher, snowshoes might have been better, but we managed OK. I also wanted to use crampons so that I could test them on my new Everest boots. They worked great.

December 21, 2013: Spent the day with friends from church just hanging out and enjoying each other’s company and the reason for the season. Happy holidays to you all!!

December 20, 2013: Hiked to the Blue Ridge overlook on the Loop Trail (the last steep portion, up and down) at Berryessa Lake training hill with my friend Jill. I had 65 pounds in the backpack and did the up portion in 38 minutes This is a new record time for me.

December 19, 2013: Did an upper body workout, 1 hour, chest, with my personal trainer. In the afternoon I played 18 holes of golf with my grandson for his 18th birthday.

December 18, 2013: Did a pack walk with my new Mountain Hardwear BMG 105 pack with 63 pounds, 3 miles, in 55 minutes, plus 100 step-ups on a park bench. The pack seems to be broken in finally. I didn’t have to do a lot of adjusting, or maybe I have adjusted to the pack.

December 17, 2013: Did a leg workout with my personal trainer this morning for 1 hour. The workout included leg extensions, 40-degree leg press, deadlifts, and lunges. For the next hour, I did a shoulder and bicep workout, 100 sit-ups, and major stretching.

December 16, 2013: Did an upper body workout, 1 hour, back, with my personal trainer. I spent another 1/2 hour at my gym stretching. Also sprinted up and down a flight of 28 stairs, ten times. I held my breath on the sprint up.

December 15, 2013: Snowshoed/hiked Castle Peak today with Heidi. I intended to test my new Millet Everest boots, so we went only to the base of the peak and turned around. My snowshoe bindings broke early on, so I walked the entire way without them. It was not a problem. The trail was firmly packed, and the weather was great.

December 14, 2013: Played nine holes of golf with my grandson Bobby at Sunrise Golf Center.

December 13, 2013: Hiked to the Blue Ridge overlook on the Loop Trail (the last steep portion, up and down) at Berryessa Lake training hill with my friend Jill. I had 55 pounds in the backpack, and I am still making minor adjustments to my new backpack. It seems like it is close to being broken in.

December 12, 2013: I had an appointment with my sports medicine doctor in the morning to go over the MRI I had done on my neck. There is definitely some occlusion that has occurred and is slightly pinching on my spinal column. For right now I can manage it with traction and massages. I will just have to put up with the tingling in my left shoulder. In the afternoon I went to my dentist’s office for my 3-month cleaning with Amy.

December 11, 2013: Did an upper body workout, 1 hour, back, with my personal trainer. We are still increasing weights and making the sessions more intense.

December 10, 2013: Did a leg workout with my personal trainer this morning for 1 hour. The workout included the 40-degree leg press, three sets of 30 and two sets of 20 reps each. The last set of 20 was at 990#. I also did 90 step-ups on a bench while holding 50#. Finished off the workout with double leg lunges (2 dips per leg) while holding 50#. For the next hour, I did a shoulder and bicep workout, 100 sit-ups, major stretching, and ended it with some time in the sauna.

December 9, 2013: Rode my bike from Natomas out to Sunrise Avenue and back, 45 miles. It was really a cold morning with ice on the ponds. The bike even seemed sluggish, but I was able to average 16-17 mph. This afternoon I spent some time in the gym on the shoulders and upper body and finished off with a lot of stretching.

December 8, 2013: I took the day off today. Watched some golf on TV.

December 7, 2013: Hiked to the Blue Ridge overlook on the Loop Trail (the last steep portion, up and down) at Berryessa Lake training hill with my friend Jerry. I had 55 pounds in the backpack and had to make a few adjustments going up. Still needs more break-in time. The film crew got a few shots with their drone helicopter until it crashed.

December 6, 2013: In the morning I spoke to my friend Marie’s second-grade class in Courtland, CA about my expedition to Everest. I brought a lot of my gear along so they could see what each item was. I also talked to them about teamwork and what it takes to get ready for an expedition. It was a lot of fun. My film crew filmed the entire talk. Spent the afternoon with my web designer and virtual assistant discussing how we are going to proceed with the website.

December 5, 2013: Did an upper body workout, 1 hour, chest, and leg workout with my personal trainer. He increased the intensity dramatically by adding in oxygen-deprivation sets that left me gasping for breath after each of them. The entire session was filmed by my Everest film crew. In the evening I gave a presentation to the University Retirement Community in Davis, CA. The crew also filmed it and will create a version that I can upload on my website. Stay tuned.

December 4, 2013: Spent the day working on my website with my web designer. Also put the finishing touches on my talk for tomorrow night, “What’s Your Everest.” The presentation will be at the University Retirement Community in Davis. I also finished up my classroom presentation for Friday morning. I am speaking to a second-grade class in Courtland.

December 3, 2013: Did a leg workout with my personal trainer for 1 hour. We are working on breaking down the muscles slightly and then rebuild them just before Vinson. I have some achy muscles. In the afternoon I walked 18 holes of golf.

December 2, 2013: Did an upper body workout, back, with my personal trainer for 1 hour. In the afternoon I did a pack walk with a 55-pound pack, 3 miles. I am breaking in my new Mountain Hardware BMG105 backpack. Things are still a little stiff, but it shouldn’t take too long to break it in.

December 1, 2013: Hiked to the Blue Ridge overlook on the Loop Trail (the last steep portion, up and down) at Berryessa Lake training hill. 41 minutes with my new Mountain Hardware BMG 105. I loaded 55 pounds in the backpack and thought I had it pretty well adjusted. Felt good coming down. Had to make a few adjustments going up.

November 30, 2013: Attended church and then had lunch with friends, and spent the rest of the day just hanging out.

November 29, 2013: Had my road bike fitted by my friend Ed. He found some minor things that needed tweaking. Afterward, we did a quick 15-mile ride through Loomis.

November 28, 2013: Celebrated Thanksgiving with my daughter Deanna and grandson Bobby. Bobby cooked an awesome dinner of ham, beans, stuffing, etc. Pumpkin pie for dessert. I hung out all day and watched football.

November 27, 2013: Did an upper body workout, chest and shoulders, with my personal trainer for 1 hour. There is no letup in the intensity. He’s bringing it, and I’m bringing it and able to keep up. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thanks, TJ!

November 26, 2013: Did my first leg workout with my personal trainer. It was for 1 hour and much more intense than my individual leg workout at my gym. He kept adding weights to find my failure point. The workout included leg raises, lunges, squats, and the 40-degree leg press machine with the last set at 700#. We finished with his variation of sit-ups on the sit-up machine. He kept adding weight after each set.

November 25, 2013: Did an upper body workout, back, with my personal trainer for 1 hour. We are really pushing it now one month before leaving for Antarctica. I am failing more often before the 30th rep on the 3rd or 4th set. I finished up at my gym with a half-hour of stretching, ten sprints up and down 28 steps, and 150 sit-ups.

November 24, 2013: Took the day off from working out and spent the day doing the business of my coaching business.

November 23, 2013: Returned home from Dallas this afternoon. Caught up on chores around the house.

November 22, 2013: Went to Bruce’s gym this morning with Bruce and Jo Marie and worked out for an hour. Did a full body workout, back, chest, and legs. Plus 150 sit-ups.

November 21, 2013: Drove to Dallas to visit my childhood friend Bruce and his wife, Jo Marie.

November 20, 2013: Did a nice two-mile hike with Shannon, Marcus, and Aiden near their home. Drove around the lake on a quad with Marcus and Aiden. That was a blast.

November 19, 2013: It is Shannon’s birthday today. I spent the morning walking around the property with Marcus and getting familiar with their forest. We had a wonderful dinner in a nearby town at Cheddars to celebrate Shannon’s birthday.

November 18, 2013: Flew from Chicago to Dallas and then drove to Avinger, Texas to visit my friends Marcus and Shannon and their kids, Eve and Aiden. Spent the evening catching up.

November 17, 2013: Took a walk with my grandson Wayne, his wife, and my great-grandson in Rockton, IL. Later in the afternoon, I took my grandson’s Allen and Thomas to play Laser Tag. Allen was very happy that he beat grandpa. He came in first, and I came in second overall.

November 16, 2013: Did a one-hour upper body workout, back, with my grandson Wayne at his gym in South Beloit, IL. Today I was able to stay with him and do the weights he did. It has been a great way to develop our relationship.

November 15, 2013: Did a one-hour upper body workout, chest, with my grandson Wayne at his gym in Rockton, IL. I did not attempt to keep up with him.

November 14, 2013: Traveled to Chicago for a family visit. Saturday my granddaughter-in-law, Taylor, is having a baby shower for her new baby girl, Adalyn, due January 19. She will be the first girl in the family in 38 years. We are so looking forward to having her join our family.

November 13, 2013: Took a day off from training. I spent a good portion of the day on the business of the coaching business. Felt good to catch up a little on some unfinished business.

November 12, 2013: Did an upper body workout, back, with my personal trainer for 1 hour. The weights are going up (e.g., for a dumbbell row, we are now using 80# for the third set of 10). I followed that workout with a 30-minute leg workout at my gym on the 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, seven sets. The first four sets were at 410#, the next two sets were at 500#, and the last set was at 590#. I finished with a half-hour of stretching and 150 sit-ups.

November 11, 2013: Climbed Mt. Ralston, 9,235 feet, this morning with Marie and Francis. It took us about an hour and 40 minutes to get up to the summit, 2,735 feet of elevation gain, 3.5 miles. And we got down in about an hour and 20 minutes. Pretty good day. Weather was clear and somewhat chilly.

November 10, 2013: Spent the day catching up on my life coaching business, shopping, and chores around the house. Not much, but it was all day.

November 9, 2013: I spent about an hour stretching this morning, particularly my legs. After I got everything loose, I did 150 sit-ups.

November 8, 2013: Hiked to the Blue Ridge overlook on the Loop Trail (the last steep portion, up and down) at Berryessa Lake training hill with Jill, 41 minutes, 65-pound backpack, 1.5 miles, 1,000 feet. I started up a second time using a rest step. I met Jill about a 1/4 of the way up and turned around with her and went back down.

November 7, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, one hour. The weights are going up. The third set is usually to failure now with the heavier weights. This afternoon I also had an MRI of my neck to see if there is anything my doctor can do about the tingling in my left shoulder from my arthritis.

November 6, 2013: Did a pack walk with a 63-pound pack, 3 miles, in 55 minutes. Plus 100 step-ups on a park bench. The step-ups are still going well. I’m considering adding in more as I get closer to Vinson.

November 5, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, 1 hour. The new gym is working out great. A lot of machines that make it fun to work out here.

November 4, 2013: My doctor arranged for a treadmill stress test during my annual physical to make sure we weren’t missing something. I took the test today, and I went to level five, 5 miles per hour and nearly max heart rate, and easily passed the test. The results showed that I have no blocked arteries. We are also considering a lung function test to make sure that there are no issues with my lungs.

November 3, 2013: Hiked to the Blue Ridge overlook on the Loop Trail (the last steep portion, up and down) at Berryessa Lake training hill, 42 minutes with a 65# backpack, 1.5 miles, 1,000 feet. It was a beautiful morning. The sun lit up the golden yellow grass. It was a spectacular contrast against the green vegetation.

November 2, 2013: This morning I did a 30-minute leg workout, 500# on 40-degree leg press machine, seven sets 30 reps ea. Started with a 1/2 hour of stretching. Plus 150 sit-ups. This afternoon my friends (Jill, Heidi, Sara, Keren, Bill, Cindy, and Tina) and I made three batches of my new pemmican recipe. Batch 1 was the same as the experimental batch we made on Wednesday. Batch 2 we doubled the nuts. Batch 3 we doubled the nuts and the grains. For all three batches, we had over 60 bars. I’m calling them Everest Bars or Jim’s Everest Bar. We had a good time, and they taste delicious! A special thanks to Chris at Whole Foods for letting us use their kitchen facilities at the Arden Way and Eastern Avenue store and also providing a lot of help during the preparation.

November 1, 2013: Did a pack walk with a 63-pound pack, three miles, in 55 minutes. Plus 100 step-ups on a park bench. The step-ups went really well on the bench with the heavy pack.

October 31, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, 1 hour. We are continuing to work out at a new gym which is much better equipped than the old one. Added a simple leg workout which we will incorporate into all of our workouts. We are also going to add an additional day. So, starting next week, we will work together on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

October 30, 2013: Busy with office business during the day catching up on email and website. Launched the production of my Everest Bar this evening at Heidi’s home. Together with Jill, Heidi, and Sara, we produced the first batch of what I previously called pemmican. But unlike the original ancient version, this new version gets its fat from nuts. The remaining ingredients consist of seeds and fruits, plus honey and peanut butter. We made 43 oz, to begin with. Saturday we will make a larger batch to test for a month.

October 29, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, 1 hour. We worked out at a new gym today and upped the weights some more. Could be a permanent shift to this gym. Also had my annual physical today—two thumbs up on all of my blood work and vital signs.

October 28, 2013: Did a pack walk with a 58-pound pack, 3 miles, in 55 minutes. Plus 50 step-ups on a park bench, which is considerably higher than the bleacher seat that I previously was using. I will work up to 100 relatively soon with the full 63#.

October 27, 2013: Hiked to High Loch Leven Lake, 7.5 miles route, 1,350 feet, with Heidi, Tina G., and Apryl. Jill and Keren stayed at the Middle Loch Leven Lake.

October 26, 2013: Participated in a park clean-up project.

October 25, 2013: Did an upper body workout, chest, followed by a 30-minute leg workout, 480# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, seven sets, and 1/2 hour stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups.

October 24, 2013: Did a walk with a 63-pound pack, 3 miles, in 55 minutes.

October 23, 2013: Day off. Caught up on some unfinished business.

October 22, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, 1 hour. TJ is starting to up the weights to build more strength over the next five months. Also saw my doctor today, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, to continue to manage arthritis in my neck and back.

October 21, 2013: Stretched for 1 hour in the gym.

October 20, 2013: Hiked Stevens Creek Trail near Colfax, 7.5 miles and 1,000 ft of elevation change, with Sara, Heidi, Rich, Nick, Cliff, and Rob. We hiked down in 1 hour and back up in 1 hour and 15 minutes.

October 19, 2013: Rode 100 miles in the Davis Foxy’s Fall Century Bike Ride with my friends Jim and Greg. I first rode the 100k course with Jim and Greg, and when we finished, I rode back through Winters 20-plus miles and returned to Davis with the century riders to complete 100 miles in just under 6 hours.

October 18, 2013: Played 18 holes of golf with my buddies Dan, Gary and Marvin at Greenhorn Creek Resort and Golf Club near Angels Camp, CA.

October 17, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, 1 hour, including two 5-minute oxygen-deprivation intervals on the treadmill at 15% incline, power off.

October 16, 2013: Rode 25 miles on the Garden Highway, Natomas to Teal Bend and back. Averaged 18 mph out and back.

October 15, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, 1 hour. Plus 20 minutes in the sauna.

October 14, 2013: In the morning I did a 1-hour yoga class with my daughter Shelly. Took the whole family to Culver’s for lunch. Flew back to Sacramento in the evening.

October 13, 2013: Did a leg workout with Wayne this morning only today was on different machines from yesterday. We spent an hour on legs, plus 20 minutes on shoulders, and finished with lunges on the indoor mini track. Three times around the track, lunging on the straightaways and walking the curves. Plus 50 sit-ups, full – elbow to knee.

October 12, 2013: Back to my grandson’s gym this morning. I did a 30-minute leg workout, 450# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps seven sets, and 1/2 hour stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups. Wayne did a chest workout.

October 11, 2013: In the morning I did a 1-hour yoga class with my daughter Shelly. In the afternoon I did upper body weight training with my grandson Wayne at his gym (YMCA) in South Beloit, IL., back, 1 hour. Went to Fibs for Friday night fish fry in Rockton, IL with the whole family.

October 10, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, 1 hour, including 6 – one-minute oxygen-deprivation speed intervals on the stationary bike. Later in the morning, I flew to Chicago to spend the weekend with my daughter Shelly and her family. Attending my grandsons’, Allen and Thomas, football games on Saturday.

October 9, 2013: Did a 55-minute walk with a 63-pound pack, 3 miles, including 100 setups on a bleacher seat. Plus, a 30-minute leg workout, 450# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps seven sets, and 1/2 hour stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups.

October 8, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, 1 hour, including five one-minute oxygen-deprivation speed intervals on the treadmill at 15% incline, power off, between sets, with 5-15 seconds at the end holding my breath, followed by answering three questions (holding the correct number of fingers up) before I could breathe again. It was brutal. Played 18 holes of golf in the afternoon with my buddies Dan, Gary, and Ken.

October 7, 2013: Hit golf balls at the driving range with my grandson Bobby.

October 6, 2013: Did a 30-minute leg workout, 450# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and 1/2 hour stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups.

October 5, 2013: Started with a 55-minute walk with a 63-pound pack, 3 miles. The sandbag in my pack has been leaking so I changed to a 50# bag of small stones today. Later in the morning, I rode 33 miles from Davis to Winters and back with my friend Greg. We encountered mostly headwinds and side winds, but we finished in 2 hours, 6 minutes.

October 4, 2013: Day off.

October 3, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, 1 hour, including three 1 1/2-minute (and three 45-second) oxygen-deprivation speed intervals on the treadmill at 15% incline. Plus, a 30-minute leg workout, 450# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and 1/2 hour stretching. Plus 150 sit-ups.

October 2, 2013: Rode 50 miles on the American River Bikeway, Natomas to Hazel and back. Averaged 19-20 mph out and 17-19 on the way back. Seemed to be a little headwind coming back.

October 1, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, 1 hour, including three 1-minute oxygen-deprivation speed intervals on the stationary bike.

September 30, 2013: Off today. Caught up on email.

September 29, 2013: Went to the gym this morning and after a brief warmup, spent an hour stretching and doing a shoulder workout. Also did 100 sit-ups.

September 28, 2013: Rode 25 miles on the Garden Highway in the morning, Natomas to Teal Bend Golf Club and back. Averaged 19-20 mph out and 18-19 on the way back. In the afternoon after church, I climbed up to Lower Loch Leven Lake with Heidi, Ethan, and Sara. It was 2.5 miles up and 1,250 feet of elevation gain and took us 1 hour 3 minutes. The return trip was 40 minutes. Afterward, there was a lot of talk about perspiration because of the pace which later morphed into “persperverence.” LOL

September 27, 2013: Returned home to Sacramento and celebrated my daughter Deanna’s birthday with dinner at BJ’s.

September 26, 2013: Humphreys Peak climb. Climbed Humphreys Peak solo today. Unfortunately, my climbing friends were unable to join me. The peak is 12,633 feet with 3,333 feet of elevation gain, 9.6 miles route. The weather reports called for sustained winds of 95 mph winds at the top, and they were correct. Plus, the gusts were easily over 100 mph. Because of the high winds, I had to crawl the last 100 yards to the summit so I wouldn’t be blown off the mountain. When the gusts came, I had to belly down on a big rock and hold on. Once I got to the summit, I had to carefully roll myself over the wall because there was no standing up. It was an awesome experience and will be etched in my memory for Everest. The adverse elements add another dimension to the climbing experience. And on Humphreys, I was able to quiet myself enough to experience myself embracing the wind and actually begin becoming one with the mountain. Today the mountain almost didn’t let me climb it, but by me being very diligent with my steps and persevering in spite of the wind, it allowed a window of opportunity to summit.

September 25, 2013: Drove Heidi and Ethan to the airport in Albuquerque and then drove to Flagstaff to spend the night before climbing Humphreys Peak tomorrow.

September 24, 2013: Climbed Wheeler Peak, 13,161 feet, 3,771 feet of elevation gain, 7+ miles round trip. with Bob, Diana, Ethan, and Heidi. We left about 3:20 p.m. from the Williams Lake Trailhead. I went over to Simpson Peak first, which is on the other side of the cirque from Wheeler, and then came back and summited Wheeler just at sunset. It was a beautiful hike down in the dark (I had a headlamp and they had phone flashlights) with the sky filled with stars.

September 23, 2013: Spent most of the day in Crested Buttes, CO. It is a beautiful area surrounded by mountains. Later in the day, I followed Bob and Diana to their home in Cleveland, NM. Ethan and Heidi also were with us.

September 22, 2013: Mt. Elbert climb. Climbed Mt. Elbert this morning with my friend Ben from Breckenridge, CO. We did the South Elbert Trail, starting at the trailhead at 10,400 feet. We used Ben’s Jeep to get to the end of the 4WD road. Left at 8:07 a.m. and got to the top, 14,433 feet, 4 + miles, in 3 hours. Back down in a little over 2 hours. The weather was really iffy today with rain down low and snow up higher. But it made the climb more exciting. My “nephew” Logan and his friend climbed from the north side and got to the top a little over an hour after us. We were hoping to get to the summit together. After we got down Ben and I had a wonderful lunch in the Dayton Room at the Twin Lakes Inn. Tomorrow I head down to NM to do Wheeler Peak.

September 21, 2013: Flew to Denver and spent the afternoon with my cousin Joyce. Early evening, I drove to Twin Lakes, CO and checked into the Wolf Den Bed and Breakfast managed by Liz and James, after having dinner at the Dayton Room.

September 20, 2013: Played golf with my grandson at Darkhorse in Auburn. We had a cart, but I walked most of the course. Leave for Denver in the morning.

September 19, 2013: Busy with coaching calls. Also got a 60-minute massage.

September 18, 2013: Leg workout 30 minutes, 410# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching.

September 17, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, 1 hour, including three 2-minute oxygen-deprivation speed intervals on the treadmill at 15% incline. Plus 150 sit-ups.

September 16, 2013: Spent the day catching up on emails and phone calls.

September 15, 2013: Drove 360 miles back to Sacramento.

September 14, 2013: Mt. Whitney climb. Woke up at 2:00 a.m., packed up camp, ate breakfast, and started our climb up the Mountaineer’s Route at about 3:20 a.m. The route seemed to be in better shape since the last time I did it. Brush clearing made the route-finding a little better down low. The middle portion was still more of a route-finding challenge. The chute was a lot of loose scree down low which made that a slow process. But I loved the bouldering and rock climbing in the middle portion. Near the top, we moved over to the left to find firmer rock. Topped out at 14,505 feet and shouted happy birthday to my daughter Shelly. We took the trail back to the portal. Encountered hail as we were coming up the chute and it kept hailing on the first part of our descent, but overall the weather was pretty good for our climb.

September 13, 2013: Walked to the Resort at Rock Creek Lake for breakfast and then packed up for the drive to Lone Pine and on to the Whitney Portal at 8,000 feet. Set up camp and enjoyed a little dinner before turning in for the night.

September 12, 2013: Quick speed walk to start the day. Leaving at noon to head down to Mt. Whitney. Tonight, we spend the night at Rock Creek Lake at 9,600 feet. We climb on Saturday and come back on Sunday. Going with Mike, Ryan, and Geneva. Weather is predicted to be perfect.

September 11, 2013: Upper body weight training, back, and chest. Plus 30-minute leg workout, 410# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups.

September 10, 2013: Day off. Caught up on emails and office work.

September 9, 2013: Upper body weight training, chest, and back. and stretching especially legs. Plus 100 sit-ups.

September 8, 2013: Rode around Lake Tahoe in the Tour de Tahoe with Mike and Norm, 72 miles in 4 hours and 34 minutes. The weather was great, and we did not detect any smoke from the Rim Fire. This was my fourth annual ride and, as always, the support and food at the rest stops were excellent.

September 7, 2013: We returned to Sacramento from Mt. Rainier.

September 6, 2013: My team returned from Camp Muir without making a summit attempt because of bad weather. I was feeling fine and ready to tackle the mountain. We spent the night at Jim’s house in Tacoma.

September 5, 2013: My team climbed to Camp Muir. My problem returned, so I stayed behind.

September 4, 2013: Participated in the snow/climbing school. Seemed to recover sufficiently from the gastroenteritis to climb the next day.

September 3, 2013: Flew to WA to climb Mt. Rainier with Greg and picked up Jim in Tacoma. Guides checked our equipment. I suffered from a bad case of gastroenteritis all night. Something I picked up before I left.

September 2, 2013: Rode 25 miles on the Garden Highway, Natomas to Teal Bend Golf Club and back. Averaged 18-19 mph out and 16-17 on the way back. Encountered a slight headwind. Tomorrow I leave for Mt. Rainier in Washington. Climb Thursday/Friday and come back on Saturday.

September 1, 2013: 55-minute walk with a 62-pound pack, 3 miles.

August 31, 2013: Stretched legs, upper body and back at the gym for 1 hour. Plus 100 sit-ups.

August 30, 2013: Rode 50 miles on the American River Parkway, Natomas to Hazel and back. Averaged mostly 18-19 mph both ways, 2 hours and 45 minutes.

August 29, 2013: Played golf at Yocha Dehe Golf Club in Brooks, CA with Greg, Dave, and Larry. Beautiful layout in a hilly oak woodland setting.

August 28, 2013: Rode 35 miles on Garden Highway. Averaged 18-20 mph out and about 16-18 on the way back into a slight headwind.

August 27, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, 1 hour, including three 3-minute oxygen-deprivation speed intervals on the bike. Plus 30-minute leg workout, 410# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, seven sets, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups, and 12 sprint-intervals up and down a 28-step staircase.

August 26, 2013: 55-minute walk with a 58-pound pack, 3 miles, including 100 step-ups on a bleacher seat.

August 25, 2013: Day off.

August 24, 2013: Participated in 1-1/2 hours of “hot” yoga with my sister Lois and niece Cristina. I was drenched after we got done, but good stretching occurred, and it was fun to hang out with family.

August 23, 2013: Rode 70 miles on my bike on the American River Bike Trail. Started at my home in Natomas and turned around at the end of the trail at the far end of Folsom Lake. Averaged 17-19 for most of it. Took 4 hours, 7 minutes. The weather cooperated because I started at 9:00 a.m., and it never got too hot.

August 22, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, 1 hour. Plus, a 30-minute leg workout, 390# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, five sets, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups, and 12 sprint-intervals up and down a 28-step staircase.

August 21, 2013: 55-minute walk with a 58-pound pack, 3 miles, including 100 step-ups on a bleacher seat.

August 20, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, 1 hour. Plus 30 minutes of stretching and 100 sit-ups.

August 19, 2013: Day off because of bad air quality.

August 18, 2013: Day off because of bad air quality.

August 17, 2013: Hiked Pyramid Peak in Desolation Wilderness with Greg, Jim, and Ryan. We started at Lyon’s Creek Trailhead at 6,700 feet and did the Lake Sylvia route, 13.5 miles, 3,300 feet. We got to within 1/2 mile of the summit at 9,700 feet and had to turn back because we ran out of time.

August 16, 2013: Played in a golf scramble tournament at Apple Mountain Golf Club with my grandson Bobby, Steve and Russ. We placed second overall with 11 under par.

August 15, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, 1 hour. Plus, a 30-minute leg workout, 370# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups, and 12 sprint-intervals up and down a 28-step staircase.

August 14, 2013: Hit a bucket of balls at the driving range with my grandson. We finished it off with a putting competition.

August 13, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, 1 hour, including oxygen-deprivation speed intervals on the bike. Then I rode my bike on the American River Bike Trail with Marie. We rode to Sunrise and back, 45 miles. Averaged 18-19 miles an hour both directions. Not much wind today, and the temperature was just right for riding.

August 12, 2013: Visited my sports medicine and rehab doctor this morning. Working with him and my PT guy to correct the back symptoms that have resulted from a slightly shorter right leg. This, of course, has been years in the making, but a shoe lift has helped already. We also talked about my spine curvature that has resulted from compensation of the shorter leg. Also, we discussed my neck arthritis and a right elbow issue. He referred me to an active-release therapist for my neck, back, and elbow.

August 11, 2013: Hiked back to Green Creek Trailhead, 7.2 miles, with about a 38-pound pack. It was a fantastic weekend with great weather, awesome views, beautiful lakes, and wonderful friends.

August 10, 2013: Climbed an unnamed peak on the south side of Summit Lake, 11,280 feet with Greg’s daughter and two nieces in the morning. Climbed Camiaca Peak on the north side of Summit Lake, 11,739 feet, with Greg’s buddy Chris in the afternoon.

August 9, 2013: Hiked into Summit Lake, 10,200 feet, in the Hoover Wilderness, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, from the Green Creek Trailhead, 8,030 feet, 7.2 miles, with a 40-pound pack. This was a celebratory backpack weekend for my buddy Greg who turned 60 on Sunday. He had most of his family there, including two brothers, a sister, three kids, and two nieces. Plus, there were four of his good friends there too. So, we had a great time getting to know each other, sharing stories and hiking together.

August 8, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, 1 hour. Plus, a 30-minute leg workout, 370# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups, and ten sprint-intervals up and down a 28-step staircase.

August 7, 2013: Rode 25 miles on my bike on the Garden Highway. Averaged 18-20, 21 miles an hour out and 17-19 on the way back. Had some tailwind on the way out and headwinds on the return.

August 6, 2013: Back with my trainer again after a month of not working out together. I was gone for part of July climbing, and he was preparing for a body-building competition the remainder of July. We did a high-intensity upper body weight training workout on the back, 1 hour, including oxygen-deprivation speed intervals on the bike. Plus, a 30-minute leg workout, 370# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups, and ten sprint-intervals up and down a 28-step staircase. Also had a two-hour massage.

August 5, 2013: Spent 30 minutes in the gym stretching and working on some upper body weight training. Plus 100 sit-ups.

August 4, 2013: Climbed Round Top Peak in the Mokelumne Wilderness, 8,200 to 10,381 feet, 6.5 miles route, 4.5 hours with breaks. Carried a 35-pound pack for training purposes. I used the GoPro camera again but ran out of battery just as I was going up the steep part. Sixty minutes seems to be the max on the battery.

August 3, 2013: Did an early morning 25-mile bike ride on the American River Bike Trail. Averaged 18-20 miles an hour. Seems to be getting easier as my efficiency gets better. The temperature was just right. Very little wind.

August 2, 2013: Walked with a 58-pound pack for 3 miles to park and back. My grandson Bobby walked with me. I tried out the GoPro camera for my film crew. We did it midday, so it was already hot. It is a much better hike in the cool of the early morning.

August 1, 2013: Played 18 holes of golf at Wildhorse golf course with Bobby, Hiroshi, and Gary.

July 31, 2013: Played 18 holes of golf at Northridge Country Club with Bobby, Hiroshi (a friend from Okinawa), and Jack. Noticed that golfing works the leg muscles pretty good.

July 30, 2013: Day off.

July 29, 2013: Played 18 holes of golf at River Oaks golf course with Bobby and Clyde.

July 28, 2013: Birthday party at my home for my 68th birthday. Haystack dinner and a huge carrot cake made by Jill. It was an awesome night filmed by the documentary crew.

July 27, 2013: Enjoyed the early morning in Truckee. Climbed Castle Peak at noon, 6.5-mile route, 1,800 feet of elevation, 7,200-9000 feet. One hour, 15 minutes. up, and 45 minutes down.

July 26, 2013: Back to the gym this morning. It felt good to be in the gym again. Warmed up and then did a one-hour upper body workout. Finished with 100 sit-ups. Then drove to Truckee for the weekend to celebrate Sara’s birthday.

July 25, 2013: Dropped Ann off at the airport for her flight back to Kentucky. Then I drove back to Sacramento. Total mileage for the trip was 2,400 miles.

July 24, 2013: Left about 8:00 a.m. from camp, and 3 1/2 hours later we were back at the truck. Drove Kelly back to Salt Lake City and rented a motel for the night. Had dinner at Dodos.

July 23, 2013: Left camp about 7:40 a.m. for Kings Peak, 13,528 feet, approximately 6.5 miles away. It took us about 5 1/2 hours to summit, but what a climb! We took a shortcut that was similar terrain as Froze-to-Death Plateau on Granite Peak. Then the boulder field to the summit is all boulders, like Pyramid Peak in the Sierra times 100. Hiked back to camp at Dollar Lake.

July 22, 2013: Drove to Salt Lake City, Utah to pick up Kelly for our climb of Kings Peak. Then headed to Henry’s Fork Trailhead in the Unitas Range and hiked into Dollar Lake, about 7.5 miles, and a little over 4 hours from the trailhead. Camped for the night.

July 21, 2013: Hiked the 3-mile Queens/Navajo Loop Trail called the “World’s Best 3-Mile Hike.” It is 8,001 feet to 7,476 feet and back up. It was awesome. We started before sunrise and had spectacular views of the Hoodoos as the sun came up. Then drove to Arches National Park near Moab, UT. We did a driving tour of Arches National Park and checked into our motel.

July 20, 2013: Hiked to Canyon Overlook and then drove to Bryce Canyon National Park. Stopped at the Bryce Canyon Pines Restaurant for lunch and then checked into the lodge at the park.

July 19, 2013: On the way out of town we visited the airfield (about 7 miles northeast of Tonopah) where my dad trained in 1941 with the bomber group during World War II. The runways and three hangers are still there. Continued on to Zion National Park. Stayed at the lodge. Had an early dinner and went to bed.

July 18, 2013: Got an early start after breakfast, about 7:30 a.m. Climbed Boundary Peak, 13,146 feet, 10 miles, in a little over 8 hours. Packed up and drove to Tonopah, Nevada for the night in a motel.

July 17, 2013: Brisk 30-minute walk with Ann, with no packs. Then drove to Bishop, California to meet up with Matt. Headed out in the afternoon for the trailhead at 9,000 feet.

July 16, 2013: 30-minute walk with a 58-pound pack, 1 1/2 miles. Needed to remind the legs what they are in for the next two weeks. Picked up my climbing buddy Ann from the airport. Leaving tomorrow for Boundary Peak, Nevada and Kings Peak, Utah.

July 15, 2013: Morning appointment for physical therapy for lower back. Unexpected good work out. Need to do these exercises every day.

July 14, 2013: Hiked Crooked Lakes Loop in the Grouse Ridge Area, 10.3 miles, with a 30-pound pack. Mostly flat starting out, but gained nearly 2,000 ft the second half, bushwhacking most of it. Took about 5 hours.

July 13, 2013: Rest day. Church-in-the-Park, and then lunch with friends.

July 12, 2013: Climbed Mt. Tallac with Marie, 9.5 miles route, 9,735 feet, 3,500 feet of elevation gain. Two hours and 42 minutes up, 2 hours and 8 minutes down.

July 11, 2013: Upper body weight training, chest and back at the gym, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups.

July 10, 2013: Upper body weight training, chest and back at the gym, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups.

July 9, 2013: Early morning half-hour speed walk and stretching.

July 8, 2013: Took the day off.

July 7, 2013: Woke up at midnight to get ready to climb Mt. Hood, 6 miles round trip, 11,249 feet, 4,300 feet of elevation gain. Left about 1:00 a.m. and got to the top just before sunrise, 5:40 a.m. The view was spectacular, and the sunrise was awesome, and there was an incredible pyramidal shadow of Mt. Hood on the western horizon. We got back to the lodge at 8:40 a.m. The weather was perfect for climbing. Mt. Hood seemed like a mini Mt. Shasta. They both have very similar steep slopes, only Mt. Hood’s steep section was shorter.

July 6, 2013: Participated in the climbing school given by Timberline Guides in preparation for climbing Mt. Hood tomorrow. Weather was just great.

July 5, 2013: Packed all of my mountaineering gear for the trip to Mt. Hood. Arrived just after lunch and met my buddy Steve at the Timberline Lodge at the base of Mt. Hood.

July 4, 2013: 25-mile bike ride on Garden Highway, mostly 18-19 mph average. Weather cooperated, and it wasn’t too hot this morning.

July 3, 2013: Early morning half-hour speed walk and stretching. Too hot to do much else outside.

July 2, 2013: Upper body weight training, chest, and back. Plus 30-minute leg workout, 300# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups.

July 1, 2013: 32-mile bike ride on American River Bike Trail, 18-19 mph average. Weather was pretty hot already this morning. Then went to the gym to stretch for 1 hour. Plus 50 sit-ups.

June 30, 2013: 55-minute walk with a 58-pound pack, 3 miles, including 100 step-ups on a bleacher seat.

June 22-29, 2013: Hung out with family, played golf with Bobby and made side trips with the kids. Saw my little great-grandson, had dinner/breakfast with family. Loved just being together. I did a couple of pack walks, one hour each, with a 50-pound pack.

June 21, 2013: 30-minute ride on the stationary bike at the Hilton in Milwaukee. Also ran up the five flights of steps two times. On to Chicago later in the day. Checked into the Embassy Suites Lakefront. Went to Navy Pier for the evening. Cool ride on the Ferris Wheel for a view of the Chicago waterfront.

June 20, 2013: Drove to Milwaukee to begin Grandpa’s Road Trip. Ate lunch at the Saloon on Calhoun, had dinner at the Comet Cafe and checked into the Hilton Garden Inn on Broadway.

June 19, 2013: Traveled to Chicago to visit my daughter and her family and attend my great-grandson’s second birthday. I also am taking my three youngest grandsons on a road trip to Milwaukee and Chicago starting tomorrow.

June 18, 2013: High-intensity upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, one hour, including speed intervals on the bike. Plus 30-minute leg workout, 370# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups, and ten sprint-intervals up and down a 28-step staircase.

June 17, 2013: 55-minute walk with a 58-pound pack, 3 miles, including 100 step-ups on a bleacher seat. Stopped to help several people rescue a duck that had become tangled in fishing line.

June 16, 2013: 25-mile bike ride on Garden Highway, 18-19 mph average. Stopped at Teal Bend Golf Club to turn around. Rode the last 10 miles in the highest gear, averaged 20-21 mph.

June 15, 2013: 45-minute walk with a 58-pound pack, 2.5+ miles in Fort Bragg. Cool crisp morning along the ocean. The air was really fresh.

June 14, 2013: Off day from my workouts. Drove to Fort Bragg for a celebration of my friend’s son’s, Logan, high school graduation.

June 13, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour. Plus 30-minute leg workout, 370# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, 6 sets, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups, and 12 sprint-intervals up and down a 28-step staircase.

June 12, 2013: 25-mile bike ride on American River Bike Trail. 18-19 mph average. Weather this morning was cool and crisp. Wore a long sleeve shirt. Got back before 9:00 a.m.

June 11, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, one hour. Plus, a 30-minute leg workout, 300# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, 3 sets, plus 370# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, two sets, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups.

June 10, 2013: Day off from my workouts. Caught up on stuff around the house.

June 9, 2013: Climbed Mt. Shasta, 14,179 feet, one-day climb from 6950 feet at Bunny Flat. Got to the top about noon. Perfect weather. A bit warm maybe, but the snow cooperated. There was snow just out of Horse Camp except for Misery Hill. Another great glissade, from the bottom of Misery Hill (not through Red Banks) to below 50-50 Rock (with just a few flat spots where we had to walk).

June 8, 2013: Hiked to Horse Camp to acclimate.

June 7, 2013: Leave for Mt. Shasta. Acclimation day Saturday. Climb Sunday and return.

June 6, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour. Stretching, plus 100 sit-ups.

June 5, 2013: 25-mile bike ride on Garden Highway. 18-19 mph average.

June 4, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, one hour. Plus, a 30-minute leg workout, 300# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups and 12 sprint-intervals up and down a 28-step staircase.

June 3, 2013: 60-minute walk with a 58-pound pack, 3 miles, including 100 step-ups on a bleacher seat.

June 2, 2013: Day off from my workouts. Spent the day with friends at brunch and at a winery on the river.

June 1, 2013: 20-mile bike ride on Garden Highway. 18 mph average.

May 31, 2013: 60-minute core workout with personal trainer. 40-minute walk with a 58-pound pack, 2 miles, including 100 step-ups on a bleacher seat.

May 30, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour, with three short anaerobic intervals on the bike. 30-minute leg workout, 300# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups.

May 29, 2013: 30-minute speed walk. Stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups.

May 28, 2013: 25-mile bike ride on American River Bike Trail. 18 mph average.

May 27, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, one hour, with three short anaerobic intervals on the bike. 30-minute leg workout, 300# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups and ten sprint-intervals up and down a 28-step staircase.

May 26, 2013: 52-minute climb up Berryessa Lake training hill with a 60-pound backpack, 2 miles., 1,000 feet.

May 25, 2013: 55-minute walk with a 58-pound pack, 3 miles.

May 24, 2013: 10-mile bike ride in the highest gear. Averaged 20-21 mph.

May 23, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, 1 hour, with short anaerobic intervals on the bike. Plank for 2 minutes, 20 seconds and 100 sit-ups.

May 22, 2013: Day off.

May 21, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest and shoulders, one hour. Plank for 2 minutes, 20 seconds.

May 20, 2013: Day off.

May 19, 2013: Climbed Pyramid Peak, 4000 feet, 4 miles, with Ryan, Shannon, Marcus, and Rich.

May 18, 2013: Cycled 100k through Lodi in the annual Lodi Sunrise Century Bike Ride with Jim, Marie, Francis, Steve, and Barb. The ride was 3 hours and 33 minutes.

May 17, 2013: Day off.

May 16, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour.

May 15, 2013: Group Strength Training class, 30 minutes, and a core class, 30 minutes.

May 14, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest and shoulders, one hour, with short anaerobic intervals on bike and steps. 30-minute leg workout, 300# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Plus, sprint-intervals up and down a 28-step staircase. Plank for 2 minutes, 20 seconds and 100 sit-ups.

May 13, 2013: 55-minute walk with a 58-pound pack, 3 miles.

May 12, 2013: Day off.

May 11, 2013: Cycled 42 miles through Winters from Davis with Greg and Jim. Averaged 19-20 mph.

May 10, 2013: Day off.

May 9, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, 1 hour. One hour in the R.I.P.P.E.D. class at Cal Fit. Plus, ten sprint-intervals up and down a 28-step staircase.

May 8, 2013: 60-minute walk with a 58-pound pack, 3 miles, including 100 step-ups on a bleacher seat.

May 7, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest and shoulders, one hour. 30-minute leg workout, 300# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups.

May 6, 2013: Day off.

May 5, 2013: Hiked the Stevens Trail in Colfax, seven miles.

May 4, 2013: Day off.

May 3, 2013: Hiked part way up Mt. Ralston with Andy, Corey, and Steve to get a view of Pyramid Peak. Corey and Steve are also the film crew.

May 2, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour. 45-minute climb up Berryessa Lake training hill with a 60-pound backpack, 1.5 miles, 1,000 feet. Film crew present. Interviewed by Sacramento KCRA, Channel 3, for a longer piece and Channel 13 for the evening news and next morning news. Film crew present. Hosted party for all of my climbing friends. Andy, Corey, and Steve were there. Deanna and Bobby came too.

May 1, 2013: 55-minute walk with a 58-pound pack, 3 miles. Film crew present. Cycled 25 miles on Garden Highway. Very windy. Top speed was 29+ mph dead downwind. Film crew present.

April 30, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest and shoulders, one hour. Film crew present. 30-minute leg workout, 300# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Plus 100 sit-ups and 12 sprint-intervals up and down a 28-step staircase. Film crew present.

April 29, 2013: Corey and Steve arrived from LA to start the filming for a documentary about my journey to Everest.

April 28, 2013: Day off.

April 27, 2013: Cycled 25 miles on American River Bike Trail, averaged 18-19 mi/hour out and 18-19 mi/hour back.

April 26, 2013: 55-minute walk with a 58-pound pack, 3 miles. 30-minute leg workout, 275# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Plus 75 sit-ups and ten sprint-intervals up and down a 28-step staircase.

April 25, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour.

April 24, 2013: 53-minute walk with a 55-pound pack, 3 miles.

April 23, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest and shoulders, one hour. 30-minute leg workout, 275# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching.

April 22, 2013: 55-minute walk with a 55-pound pack, 3 miles, plus 100 sit-ups.

April 21, 2013: Day off.

April 20, 2013: Cycled around the Sutter Buttes in the annual “Bike Around the Buttes” event with Greg. Forty miles, 2 hours 13 minutes, very windy.

April 19, 2013: Day off.

April 18, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour. Plus 2 1/2 minutes plank, 50 push-ups, and 100 sit-ups.

April 17, 2013: Day off.

April 16, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest and shoulders, one hour. 30-minute leg workout, 275# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Plus 75 sit-ups and ten sprint-intervals up and down a 28-step staircase.

April 15, 2013: 55-minute walk with a 55-pound pack, 3 miles.

April 14, 2013: Day off.

April 13, 2013: Cycled 52 miles from Davis through Winters to the Cantelow hills and back with Greg and Jim.

April 12, 2013: Day off.

April 11, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour. 30-minute leg workout, 250# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Plus 2 minutes plank and 100 sit-ups.

April 10, 2013: 39-minute climb up Berryessa Lake training hill with 50-pound backpack, 1.5 miles, 1,000 feet, 80% effort.

April 9, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, shoulders, one hour. Plus 2-hour massage.

April 8, 2013: Day off.

April 7, 2013: Snowshoed Pyramid Peak, four miles, 4,000 ft, with Greg and Jim. Snow was slushy down low, better up high. Gale force winds on the summit ridge. Four hours 15 minutes up. 2 1/2 hours down.

April 6, 2013: Cycled 20 miles on Garden Highway, averaging 18 mph out and 17 mph back, at about 75-80% effort. Then played 18 holes of golf with Bobby at Haggin Oaks.

April 5, 2013: 60-minute walk with a 50-pound pack, 3 miles.

April 4, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour. One hour in the R.I.P.P.E.D. class at Cal Fit. 20 minutes on treadmill (13 degrees at 3.5 mph).

April 3, 2013: I sent Steve some dates that worked for me for the conference call and also sent him some possible ideas for what they could start filming when they come to Sacramento, including my first training hill, workouts, the team, and Pyramid Peak.

April 2, 2013: Upper body weight training, chest, and back, one hour. 50-minute boot camp. Andy called and introduced me to his friend Steve who will be filming a documentary of my road to Everest. We talked about getting together later this month to start filming, as well as talking with his co-producer in the next week or so.

April 1, 2013: 30-minute leg workout, 250# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. 50-minute walk with a 50-pound pack.

March 30, 2013: Cycled 35 miles on American River Bike Trail, averaged 17 mph out and 18 mph back, at about 70-80% effort.

March 29, 2013: Day off.

March 28, 2013: 50-minute walk with a 50-pound pack.

March 27, 2013: Day off.

March 26, 2013: Upper body weight training with Wayne, back, one hour. 30 minutes on stationary bike, 17 mph average.

March 25, 2013: Upper body weight training with Wayne, chest, one hour. 30 minutes on treadmill (12.5 degrees at 3.2 mph).

March 24, 2013: Day off.

March 23, 2013: Day off.

March 22, 2013: 60-minute walk with a 45-pound pack, 3 miles.

March 21, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour. 30-minute leg workout, 200# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. 30 minutes on treadmill (10.5-12.5 degrees at 3.2-4.0 mph). Physical therapy on my neck. Sent my application for the Mt. Everest climb to International Mountain Guides with a copy to Andy. Received an invoice from IMG for the initial down payment of $10,000, with a copy to Andy.

March 20, 2013: Day off.

March 19, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, one hour. 30-minute leg workout, 200# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, four sets, and stretching. 30-minute stair mill, 50-70 steps/minute, 104 floors, 70% effort. Physical therapy on my neck.

March 18, 2013: Day off.

March 17, 2013: 40-minute climb up Berryessa Lake training hill with 45-pound backpack, 1.5 miles, 1,000 feet, 85% level of effort. 1.5 miles down, 27 minutes.

March 16, 2013: Cycled 25 miles on Garden Highway, averaged 17 mph out and 18 mph back, at about 70-80% effort.

March 15, 2013: Day off.

March 14, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour. 30-minute leg workout, 200# on 40-degree leg press machine, 30 reps, six sets, and stretching. Andy Intrater approved the financing for my Mt. Everest expedition! Thanks, Andy! Andy is planning to trek with me to Everest Base Camp next year. In preparation, we are planning some high-altitude hikes/treks this summer in Colorado and later this fall, possibly in Peru.

March 13, 2013: 30 minutes on stair mill, 70 steps/minute, 130 floors, 70% effort. Sent Mt. Everest prospectus to Andy Intrater by email. Hard copy to go in the mail tomorrow.

March 12, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, one hour. 30-minute leg work out, and cardio for 30 minutes on treadmill (10.5-12.5 degrees at 3.2-4.0 mph).

March 11, 2013: 50-minute climb up Berryessa Lake training hill with 40-pound backpack, 1.5 miles, 1,000 feet., 90% effort. 35 minutes down.

March 10, 2013: Day off.

March 9, 2013: Day off.

March 8, 2013: One-hour walk with 40-pound backpack, three miles, 70-80% effort.

March 7, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour. Cardio for 30 minutes on treadmill (10.5 degrees at 3.2 mph) and 10 minutes on the stair mill (70 steps/minute).

March 6, 2013: Day off.

March 5, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, one hour. One hour in the R.I.P.P.E.D. class at Cal Fit. Physical therapy on my neck.

March 4, 2013: Talked with Eric Simonson, International Mountain Guides, Director of Himalayan Operations, about the Mt. Everest climbing programs they offer and which option would be best for me and what the associated costs would be. He said the $110,000 program, which includes a personal guide and Sherpa, would provide me with the greatest flexibility while on the mountain, would be the best program for me. He also recommended the extra oxygen package at an additional $5,000. My participation on a team for 2014 was approved. Based on my discussion with Eric, I will finalize my prospectus to Andy Intrater, my sponsor, this morning and get the final draft out for review. I will send the final prospectus to Andy later this week.

March 3, 2013: Day off.

March 2, 2013: Cycled 25 miles, averaged 17.9 mph, at about 80% effort.

March 1, 2013: Day off.

February 28, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour. Consulted with Dr. Stephenson, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, to get his assistance to better manage an arthritic neck. Physical therapy on neck.

February 27, 2013: Day off.

February 26, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, one hour.

February 25, 2013: Day off.

February 24, 2013: Day off.

February 23, 2013: Day off.

February 22, 2013: Talked with Andy Intrater, CEO of Columbus Nova, New York, NY, who is sponsoring my expedition to Mt. Everest in May 2014. He wants to know more details about logistics and costs, so I will prepare an “Everest Expedition Prospectus” that will provide him with an overview of the undertaking, who I am, what qualifies me to do this, my 2013 training regimen, and the anticipated costs. Plan to get it to him by March 7^th.

February 21, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour.

February 20, 2013: Physical therapy on neck.

February 19, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, one hour.

February 18, 2013: Day off.

February 17 to Marth 1, 2013: Two weeks self-imposed rest (mostly) to recover from a lung infection and bad cold. Short walks and light workouts only.

February 16, 2013: Hiked Stevens Trail, 7.2-mile route, 2,400 feet down to 1,200 feet at the river and back.

February 15, 2013: Day off.

February 14, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour.

February 13, 2013: Day off.

February 12, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, one hour.

February 11, 2013: Day off.

February 10, 2013: Cycled 35 miles. Averaged 17 mph at about 70% level of effort.

February 1-9, 2013: Involved in other activities.

January 30, – 31, 2013: Involved in other activities.

January 29, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, one hour.

January 21, – 28, 2013: Involved in other activities.

January 20, 2013: Snowshoed Castle Peak, Sierra, 5.8-mile route, 9,104 feet, 1,300-foot elevation gain.

January 18-19, 2013: Involved in other activities.

January 17, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, back, one hour.

January 9-16, 2013: Involved in other activities.

January 8, 2013: Upper body weight training with personal trainer, chest, one hour.

January 1-7, 2013: Involved in other activities.

December 31, 2012: Snowshoed Mt. Ralston, Sierra, 7.0-mile route, 9,235 feet, 2,735-foot elevation gain.

December 20-30, 2012: Involved in other activities.

December 13-19, 2012: Returned from Antarctica after having visited the Emperor penguins and climbed Vinson Massif to 15,000 feet.

December 12, 2012: Met Andy, at Union Glacier, Antarctica. He was there to visit the South Pole. I was there to visit the Emperor penguins and climb Vinson Massif. We hit it off right away, and as we were talking, I mentioned all the mountains I had climbed, and he was wondering how old I was. He thought I was his age, 50. No, I said, I’m 67. We got to talking some more and I said something about having climbed to Mt. Everest Base Camp but didn’t have enough money to climb to the top. Without hesitation he said: “I’ll fund you.” And not missing a beat he followed with: “and I mean it!” My whole body shouted Wow! For real? It was an overwhelming display of generosity. Thanks so much, Andy!!!

December 1-12, 2012: Traveled to Antarctica to visit the Emperor penguins and climb Vinson Massif.