It has almost become a bad habit - making an annual visit to Doug Bursnall in Colorado. I met Doug more than a decade ago when we were planning our International Diabetic Expedition to Aconcagua (IDEA 2000). He has since been my most regular tent mate (and climbing partner!), adding up to more than two months of flapping nylon, shoveling off snow, brewing up, slogging, belaying, coiling and uncoiling, taking insulin, and testing blood sugars... Together, we have visited high places in Mexico, Argentina, Kyrgyzstan, and of course, Colorado.

Been a long time and I hope those who are lurking and posting are doing well.
 

According to everestnews.com, Will Cross is expected to be on Makalu this season:
"...At 8,481m (27,824ft) Makalu ranks as the fifth highest mountain in the world. Will Cross departs for this monumental peak as part of his Giant Mountain Challenge; a quest to climb six of the highest peaks in the world. All are located in the Himalaya and all are above 8000m (26,246 ft). The purpose of this challenge is to demonstrate that one can lead an extraordinary life with diabetes, an incurable condition and a global pandemic.
 

Relevant for those D alpinists and/or expedition climbers.....
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2010/03/24/dc09-2317.abstract

Just thought I'd share the obituary of my mom with you.  Some here have met her; others heard about her; and some of you either gave her assurances but usually were implicated by the (generally) dissaproving glances when I told her I was going on a(nother) trip....

 
Geri Winkler along with others from Alpine Ascents reached the summit of Cho Oyu yesterday.   Looks like Geri succeeded in doing it without supplemental O2.

dp 
 
Here is from the Alpine Ascents cybercast:
 

Hey there.
 
Looks like Geri Winkler has his sights on an "alpine-style" ascent of Cho Oyu and his summit window should be sometime at the end of September 2009.  Guess he wants to join the ranks of Ernest (G2 1999), Marco (Cho Oyu 2002), and Boyan (G1, G2? 2009) to have reached the magical 8000 m+ without supplemental oxygen and....oh yeah,  type 1, almost forgot.
 And it looks like Will Cross has his heart set on both Cho Oyu (perhaps he'll run into Geri?) and Shishapangma in fall 2009, not certain in what style or with whom.

Now we have more details here with photos
http://www.everestnews.com/pak2009/g2009032009.htm
 
Wow, Boyan, I hope you are feeling better after the crevasse fall.  Thanks to the Spanish and porters!

http://www.climbingguidebg.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file...
 
Some videos, too.  Hone up on your Bulgarian, although there is some English.

Boyan has gone ahead and summitted G2 solo.  That makes two 8000-ers without oxygen in less than a week.
What, is he gonna go run up K2 next?!
 
Come home safely Boyan and come show us some pictures at MADiDEA 2010 in Italy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Incredible, but not surprising...
 
 "2 August, 2009: First Bulgarian double-header in highest mountain