I am trying to keep my web site updated every week, but as you probably noticed I haven't been doing such a good job. My excuse? Should I even try... Can I say I've been too busy?

However, in the spirit of getting to the point, let me be a bit more direct.

I flew into San Francisco over the Labor Day weekend, then on to Bishop where I spent several days getting my butt kicked by ace climber, Kurt Wedberg, owner of Sierra Mountaineering International (SMI). We had a small base camp somewhere in the Inyo National Forest at around 13,000 feet.

This was an important trip for me as it is my first steps (literally) in training and preparing for Everest in 2009. We spent a lot of time going over crampon techniques, crevasse rescue, glacier travel and much more. What was it like? Honestly? I was scared - really scared. (Why can't I be tough and fearless) At one point, I slipped on a fairly steep section of glacier and luckily managed to stop with a quick self arrest.

After mountaineering, it was on to LA to do some filming for the upcoming documentary about my North Pole expedition, then to Beverly Hills to meet with a producer from the Discovery Channel (a shot in the dark). Finally, back to San Francisco for a presentation at a school and Clif Bar. As an aside, Clif Bar is one of the coolest companies around.

Now, I am back in northern Minnesota and home. It feels good to be back in the northwoods for, at least, the next few days.