The weather is mixed. We're kind of waiting for a spell of good weather, which is why we're waiting until Tuesday to go. But everybody is feeling very good. We're all healthy, we're fit, we're strong and we're raring to go.

We've -- as a team -- been as high as 24,000 feet, and we all had pretty strong, banging headaches at that point. And that was uncomfortable -- but not scary.

There's a lot of reasons why we're doing this. One is we really just wanted to send a very strong message about stepping outside of your boundaries, pushing your limits and just getting out of your comfort zone -- not to mention getting off the couch.

How we treat people is always our choice, and if we choose not to be respectful, it can come back to bite us.

Never let failure discourage you. Every time you get to the base of a mountain (literal or metaphorical), you're presented with a new opportunity to challenge yourself, to push your limits beyond what you thought possible, to learn from climbers on the trail ahead of you, and to take in some amazing views. Your performance on the mountain you climbed last week or last month or last year doesn't matter - because it's all about what you are doing right now.

Take long walks in stormy weather or through deep snows in the fields andwoods, if you would keep your spirits up. Deal with brute nature. Be coldand hungry and weary.