Getting ready to climb with Olivia

Hi all.  My final preparations began in earnest today as I finalized my packing and got ready to head out.  Things came together nicely without any problems.  The one thing I am really psyched about is my new Olivia pennants.  Dorothy and Steven sent me a really nice North Sails pennant that works really well on the water but it absorbs water on the mountain and then freezes.  A frozen pennant weighs about 2 lbs (almost 1 kg).  I intend to bring that original pennant since it accompanied me on my previous climb in Nepal and on my Aconcagua trip.  The summit push up Everest mandates that I slim down as much as possible - not me personally but I ought to reduce the weight as much as humanly possible.  So, with the help of Karen Friedman, I am now the proud owner of two new rip-stop pennants with the Olivia logo.  Thanks to Karen for helping me at the last second.  She did a wonderful job.  I also want to thank the Olivia Constants Foundation for letting me climb with Olivia.  

It is truly an honor and one I take seriously.  For those of you who are new to my blog, I ask you to consider giving to this great cause.  The link to the right takes you to their website.  

Below is the before and after pictures of the pennants (top before, bottom after):

Thanks everyone for the continued support.  I can't wait to head off to Nepal.