Yippee, we're finally on our way! This is Vern Tejas with Alpine Ascents 2002 Mount Everest Expedition and guess what, we're finally going for it. The weather has aligned, all of our houses are in good shape, except for Jeff who is going to join us tomorrow. And the rap is in and most of the people have shot their wad and gone home so we're in position to go up the mountain and have most of it all to ourselves.

Currently we're at 6,025 feet above sea level at Camp I. We slugged it out today with brutal heat beating down on us. We expected it would be snowing on us today, but instead we got the double whammy and we ended up spending more time in the Icefall than we ever have before because we had to go so slow, we were so hot and it was so oppressive.

However, we came to Camp I, reflapped our tents; you can't believe the heat inside one of these tents, we believe it goes over 120°, that's fahrenheit, and for you at home who are still on the metric system that's about 48°celsius. Phew, man, love those conversions, go Vern go.

And we got up here and Luis and Jose fixed us up a fabulous turkey surprise dinner and most of us are still recovering from that. But we're planning on getting up very, very early tomorrow morning, probably start to go around 3 o'clock so we can get up to Camp II before the heat again nails us in our tracks.

So, you're in tune with what's happening and we appreciate your standing by, following us up this mountain. We'd like to say hello to all of our loved ones out there and we are finally on our way so keep your fingers crossed and the prayers coming, we appreciate it. Bye for now.

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

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