Hello MountainZone cybernauts, this is Vern Tejas with Alpine Ascents DALAI LAMAS team and we're on top of North America (background whooping and general reverie). It's a beautiful day up here, light breeze, and we can see for miles in all directions. We're looking down the ridge, oh man, beautiful...glacier squirming its way down to the sea, we can see all around, many people heading up this way, we're fortunate we were one of the first teams to be here today and we got the primo, choice spot, we are looking down on all creation.

And, in observation of Mountain Year that the U.N. sanctioned, the Poet Society of America has asked me to read a poem on top of the highest point in North America. And it is by Diab Rolakan, who was a Japanese monk in the 18th century:

At night deep in the mountains
I sit in meditation
The affairs of men never reach here
Everything is quiet and empty
All the incense has been swallowed up
By the endless night
My robe has become a garment of dew
Unable to sleep, I walk out into the woods
Suddenly, upon the highest peak
The fair moon appears

That was translated by Don Stevens. And you can pick that up from Stumbelaw Press, Dewdrops On A Lotus Leaf is the name of the book. Hey, and guess what? For your gastronomical delight, I, too, have written a poem to be read on top of the highest point in North America. I actually put it to music...I don't know if this is going to translate very well, let's call it Gonna Keep Exploring.

(Singing)
Going to the mountains where the eagles are soarin'
Life is an adventure, gonna keep explorin'
Don't wanna be no spectator, for it's far too borin'
Life's too precious, gonna keep explorin'

(Speaking)
Now this is the bridge, this is where I like, this kind of gets country and western

(Singing)
Climb to the mountain, and down to the shore
There's a reason we're here, that can't be ignored
Life is a promise, there's got to be more
We're lookin' for the answers, so that's why we explore

Don't want to be no superstar with a million fans adorin'
Life's deeper than that, gonna keep on explorin'
Don't wanna be in no SUV down some highway road
Life's better without roads, gonna keep on explorin'

Climb to the mountain, and down to the shore
Life is a promise, there's got to be more
There's a reason that we're here, that can't be ignored
We're lookin' for the answers, so that's why we explore

Wild nights and city lights, they sure can be allurin' But life's more than that, gonna keep on explorin' And when my race is run, and in the grave my body's layin' I'll go explore the next world, gonna keep on explorin'

All right, well, please take my apologies to any country and western fans out there.

So anyway, here we are, getting ready to descend down into the lowlands. We've really enjoyed having you guys tune in and follow us. We should, with any luck, be able to fly out in a couple of days, hopefully, the weather will permit and the planes will be flying. Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned, we'll give you one more update before we get off the mountain. Cheers.

(To team) Hey, and PS's? Happy birthday to Dolly's brother! Hello to Beth and Willa from Joe! Hello to Art, TT, David, and AG (laughter) And Nike legal! We know you're out there listening and watching. Cheers, this is Dalai Lamas saying goodbye from the top of North America! (much shouting and celebration).

— Vern Tejas, Alpine Ascents International Guide and MountainZone.com Correspondent