October 11, 2007

The gangs all here!!! Everyone has landed safe and sound and a bit dazed (less Sean Swarner, who is arriving Oct 16 and double timing it up the mountain to cover the distance of a marathon in 1 day). We have begun receiving all of your messages of well wishes and support on the satellite phone. Keep em coming! We wanted to let our friends and family know how each team member is doing. What better way than to let them tell you themselves?! So here goes…

• Ade Summers. Good to see everyone with their bags!
• Aden Holt. This has already been an amazing experience and we haven’t even started climbing yet. I am still trying to take it all in. Thanks to everyone for their well wishes!
• Alan Hobson. I saw Everest again from the plane for the first time since climbing back from leukemis. It was powerful. My heart fluttered and my eyes filled up a bit. I still have it for her, the same way I did as a boy! She is, and remains, a magnetic mountain. I am drawn to her majesty and her magic. To think I am back here again, only under different circumstances than the last time we met. I wonder what she will teach me this time. As always, no doubt, it will be profound.
• Alex Coletti. Kathmandu is the strangest place I’ve ever seen. It’s like the bar in Star Wars. Why am I here? Oh yeah, Mike Peters. It figures.
• Ben Metzker. Thank you Love Hope Strength for allowing this small army to battle for those in need. Thank you for stepping up and shouting for those who need a voice, a glimmer of hope, and a shot of strength. But, most of all, thank you for supplying those of us with a venue who choose to not just live life, but live a life that matters.
• Christine Alan. To my Joseph, Micky, Jack, extended family and friends: thank you for all of your well wishes and support for this journey of a lifetime! It is an honor to give back to other cancer patients in this amazing country. All is great! I love you!
• Cy Curnin. I was counting the weeks, then the days. From now on, I shall be counting my footsteps. We walk for them!
• Eran Thomson. Prepare to Live is preparing to climb. Thanks to all our members, sponsors and partners…and LHS for making it possible.
• Garrie Renucci. Hi to everyone that made this happen for me. Journey went well and arrived with luggage no problem. What a place, makes you realize how lucky we all are! I’ll do my best. Special Hi to Wee G and Jen.
• George Devanney. Ry, I’m at the bottom of the big mountain ready to climb. I guess I’m really doing this! Don’t be angry! Love, Dad
• Glenn Tillbrook. Hey…hey…love to all and it’s alright. Love Glenn XXX
• Jamie West-Oram. Wow This is great! Thanks to everyone who’s been so generous, especially you, Bibi. Love you. XXXXXXXXXXX
• Mark Parker. When I committed to doing this trek over a year ago I honestly gave it a 10-1 chance that it would ever happen. Now that I’m here I couldn’t be more excited and proud of why this event will happen. Rock, I’ve met a few guys that can play guitar and want to join your “rock star band”.
• Matt and Kris Adam-Smith. Wow. What a day. Long flight – SYD – BRI – BKK – KTM. Hotel is fantastic, Kathmandu interesting, group looks to be a great bunch of people – it’s gonna be an amazing adventure. Hope you all enjoy the daily updates. XXX
• Meghan Buchanan. Thanks for the message dad. All is great here. Haven’t been hit by a yak yet. I love you all and write me soon.
• Mike Johnson. If I could only capture the smells, sights, sounds of the experience. Truly an incredible adventure. Cheers
• Nick Harper. WAAAAAAAAH! Here we go! So grateful to be part of this wild adventure and also the seemingly very friendly nursing staff who want to make over care be as smooth and efficient as possible. Now – where’s my medication? X
• Oli Powell. OMG! WOW! What a couple of days. Here safe and sound. All good so far! X
• Rini Andres. I’m sleepy but happy to be here. Seeing the Himalayas covered in snow and seeing Mt. Everest from the plane put a big smile on my face. And there’s monkeys running all over the place in Kathmandu. It’s already an incredible experience. I miss my family and I love you.
• Sean Moore. I’m incredibly relieved to be here after my longest travel experience ever, and I’m getting even more excited after meeting all the other trekkers on our trip! Everyone is so fascinating – I have no doubt we will walk away rich with new friendships.
• Shannon Foley. James and Mike just informed me that they want to do Grand Canyon Rocks next, lowest concert ever to raise money for cancer centers. I need to stop letting them hang out together.
• Stan Sagner. All safe and sound and mildly deranged from jet lag. Love to all.
• Stephanie Sarnoski. 3 airports, 3 planes and 32 hours later we arrived, albeit exhausted. It was exciting meeting the rest of the team and I’m ready for the 4th and final flight Saturday to Lukla where we start the trek. Thanks for your support and love to all.
• Tom Grimshaw. Wow! Amazing place, amazing bunch of people. We’re going to have a fantastic time!!!! Anz, Love you loads. XXX
• Tracie Janoska. I am incredibly grateful to be able to join in on this journey, thank you!
• Vince Abrue. I finally made it! 36 hours of traveling and my hair still looks good. Thank you for all of your prayers and wishes…namaste! What a trip – how did we get here? I fell thrilled and honored to be part of this adventure.
• Stash Slionski, Dan Sullivan, Peter Braun, Jake Norton, James Chippendale, Mike Peters, Scott Thompson, Slim Jim, Julie Lampton and Damien Drake were all still tongue tied by the time I wrote this.

Keep the support coming. Tomorrow we are sending the guys off to the recording studio to cut the first few tracks of our journey. Yes, we found a recording studio in Nepal. We have just received word that we have been granted permission to host the finale concert in Durbar Square in Kathmandu. Plans are underway for a massive closing celebration October 29th. More details to come.

Shannon Foley
Love Hope Strength
October 10, 2007
Kathmandu, Nepal