The Rest of Everest Goes 3D!

Anyone who has read my blog for any length of time knows that I'm a big fan of the video podcast The Rest of Everest. Over the past few years, no other outlet has given us more information on what it takes to trek and climb around the world's tallest peak, and the show has brought its fans endless insights into not only high altitude climbing, but also the culture and history of both Nepal and Tibet, the two countries on which Everest sits.

The show has been on a bit of a hiatus since it ended the last "season" which was focused on the trek to Everest Base Camp on the South Side of the mountain. But a new season was launched in a big way yesterday, when a new episode of the podcast hit the web in a big way. While the show has always been special to me, this new episode happens to have been filmed in 3D, which gives us it a new dimension (pun fully intended!) in its coverage of the mountain.

In order to watch the episode in 3D you'll need a pair of the traditional red and blue “anaglyph” glasses, which unfortunately I don't own, so I can't comment on good the 3D effect is and how everything looks. But if the quality is up to the usual ROE standards, I suspect that it looks quite nice and really adds something to the show.

If you watch the video without the glasses it is likely to give you a splitting headache, but if you jump ahead to the middle of the show, the entire episode is re-aired in plain old boring 2D. That will save you a lot of eye strain and still allow you to enjoy the episode, which kicks off the fifth season of the Rest of Everest. This episode serves as a bit of an introduction to the mountain's seldom visited East Side, also known as the The Kangshung Face.

Get your Rest of Everest fix, either in 2D or 3D, by clicking here. Glad to have you back Jon!

The Rest of Everest Episode 144

My favorite video podcast returned with a new episode yesterday, as the Rest of Everest continues showing us every aspect of not only climbing that mountain, but also trekking through the Khumbu region as well.

Episode 144 is entitled "The Gates to Paradise." It marks the end of the trekking portion of the 2009 trip, which was also a workshop for both photography and videography. The last leg of the journey offers scenery that is as spectacular as the others, with the High Himalaya dominating the horizon, as the group of travelers make the much anticipated, and welcome, return to Lukla, where they stay at the Hotel Paradise.

I've said it many times over the course of this series of episodes for the Rest of Everest, but I'll say it again none the less. For anyone considering a trek to Everest Base Camp, this has been an enlightening set of shows. It really did show nearly ever aspect of such a climb, and it was invaluable in preparing for my own trek which took place this past spring. Making that hike is not easy and it can be a real slog when you're not feeling well, but it is also incredibly rewarding and beautiful as well. It was a lot of fun for me to recognize places and landmarks from the videos on my own trek, and when I came back, I was able to relate to the trekkers on the podcast even more.

From here, it'll be on to Lukla and the return trip home of course, and then on to bigger things. The Rest of Everest still has plenty to show us, and they're still gearing up for more adventures to come as well. Stay tuned!

The Rest of Everest Episode 142 and 143

Since I was out of touch for most of last week I missed an episode of the Rest of Everest and had two to catch up on. Both episodes continue the Everest Base Camp Trek that took place on the South Side of the mountain last year, and both induce plenty of nostalgia from my own trek this past spring.

Episode 142: Snot Rocket: In this episode, the team finally begins to breathe easy, quite literally, as they drop below the treeline and head back towards Namche Bazaar. This episode contains the usual trademark amazing scenery and offers wonderful insights into a trek int the Khumbu Valley, but you'll have to watch to find out how it gets that awesome title. You'll also get acquainted with the yaks that are common on the trail and the all-too-familiar sound of their bells. You can view this episode by clicking here.

Episode 143: High Bridge Hijinks: This episode marks the last full day of trekking for the group, as they continue to make their way back down the valley. It opens with a great shot of a dog sitting on the side of the trail just taking in the view, as if he was captivated by the beauty of the Himalaya as well. Those views are on display once again, as the group returns to Namche Bazaar, which is a good landmark both going up and back down the valley. This episode also shows off some great views of the highest bridge on the trek as well, which is quite something to see and cross. View this episode by clicking here.

Two other elements of note. First, if you're interested in making one of these treks for yourself, you can join Rest of Everest producer Jon Miller, along with his partner Chris Marquardt, as they make another trek/photography workshop in the Himalaya next year. Registration is now open for the 2011 trip which will be to the remote mountain of Mt. Kailash in Tibet. Find out more at HimalayanWorkshops.com.

Finally, as I write, this Jon is also busy twittering away from the hospital where he and his wife Heidi have just welcomed their second son, Christopher Wolfe Miller, into the world. Congrats Jon!

The Rest of Everest Episode 141: The Rest of Jon Miller

The Rest of Everest continues its look at last year's trek to Everest Base Camp on the Nepali side of the mountain with the release of another new episode yesterday. Episode 141 is entitled The Rest of Jon Miller, and continues to follow the team as they descend down the Khumbu Valley, this time dropping back below the tree line, where the air is thicker and the temperatures begin to warm up.

The episode covers the descent down to Namche Bazaar and on to Lukla, two milestones of any trek on Everest's South Side. Namche represents the gateway to the High Himalaya, while Lukla is of course the location of the airport that shuttles trekkers and climbers back and fourth from Kathmandu.

One of the early images in the video that brought back memories for me was the sight of a Sherpa carrying a very heavy load on his back as he moved swiftly down the trail. It is amazing to watch them come and go on these very steep trails, usually passing us much slower visitors, as they deliver all kinds of supplies to the higher portions of the valley.

Jon Miller groupies will especially want to tune into this episode as at one point we get video of the ROE producer removing his base layers as the group descended to lower altitudes and the warmth really started to kick in. This was footage I couldn't relate to, because on my trek I rarely need to don the long johns. I think I put on those base layers only for the final leg from Gorek Shep up to EBC. After that, they came off again and went back into the pack.

One thing I could relate to was the brief discussion on the loss of weight while on the trek. By the time I returned home, my clothes were literally hanging off of me, and I actually felt underweight. As a runner and cyclists, I tend to stay in good shape and don't carry much extra weight anyway, but after a trek like this one, I really did feel too thin. It was not a good feeling.

The rest of the episode captures the typical great footage from the trek and it truly is the next best thing to being there. For those who haven't gone, this is excellent prep work for a future trek. For those of us who have been there, it's nostalgia central. It makes me really want to go back!

The Rest of Everest Episode 136: A Rare Opportunity

Quite a lot of things happened last week while I was out of contact and offline, including the return of my favorite video podcast, the Rest of Everest. The show has been on hiatus for the past few months while creator Jon Miller made a trek to Everest BC in the spring, and has since been transitioning to making the podcast his full time gig – a challenging endeavor to be sure!

This episode, number 136 in the series, returns us to where we were when we left off back in April, with a continuation of a trek to base camp that took place in 2009. The team has split into two groups, a few that went on to Base Camp itself, while others made the climb of Kala Patar, opting to go for the better views of the mountain as opposed to actually going to BC itself.

The video quickly reminds us why we love this podcast, starting off with some great scenery and capturing views of climbers making their way up the mountain. Those opening shots, which go on for several minutes, really help to give a sense of scale to the Himalaya, as the climbers look like tiny dots in the distance.

Other highlights to the episode include a glimpse inside the cooking tent, shots of large rocks and boulders suspended above the ground in BC by columns of ice, and the return of some old friends that long time viewers will recognize.

Having now completed this trek myself, seeing some of these images is even more fun, as I recognize many of the places that they are visiting. I look forward to the rest of this series, as the next few episodes will continue to follow the 2009 trekking team as they make their way back down the mountain to Lukla, and eventually Kathmandu.

Welcome back Jon and the rest of the ROE team!

The Rest of Everest Episode 135: Real Surreal Reality

We're nearing the halfway point of the current "season" of the Rest of Everest, as the look at the 2009 Everest Base Camp trek starts to head toward a conclusion. Never fear though, as Jon and a host of new trekkers will be leaving for Nepal, and Tibet, for a new trek in just a few short weeks, and I'm sure that adventure will provide us with a whole new look at the mountain.

For now though, we're still in the midst of last year's trek, and in Episode 135, we rejoin Jon Miller and crew back in BC on the South Side of Everest. This latest episode, entitled Real Surreal Reality, begins where many of the recent episodes have, in the tent with Jon and John as they prepare to get their day started.

From there, it's out into Base Camp where the stunning displays of the surrounding mountains are once again stunning, and a great reminder of why we all want to make a trek just like this one. Those scenes are broken up with a few brief moments of Jon trying to explain to a Sherpa how his wife has a twin sister, aided by his trusty iPhone of course. The Sherpa didn't seem all that impressed. ;) We're treated to some great panoramic shots of BC and the wall of mountains that loom over the entire area.

Seeing the snow and ice, mountaineering tents, prayer flags, and big peaks helps you to understand the title of the episode. It does indeed look quite surreal. Check it out for yourself on the Rest of Everest website or through iTunes.

The Rest of Everest Episode 134: Shhh...It Happens At Base Camp

A new week brings a new episode of The Rest of Everest, which continues to give us an unprecedented look at what it is like to hike the Khumbu Valley all the way up to Everest Base Camp. Something I'm hoping to experience myself in less than a month's time. :)

We're up to Episode 134 cleverly titled Shhh...It Happens At Base Camp, and we rejoin Jon Miller and the other trekkers at BC. The episode opens with Jon and John still in the tent, where we get a lesson in pharmacology. The amount of prescription drugs that they're using to stay healthy, and ahead of the altitude sickness, is unbelievable, and an eye opener.

Once they head outside though, the views are once again spectacular, and on that day there were climbers setting out on their summit bids, which made it even more exciting. There were teams heading through the Khumbu Icefall, and watching them as they make their way up the mountain is great to watch. Much of the time they are tiny little dots moving against the white snow, but when zoomed in, you can make out the details of the climbers going about their business. It really gives you a sense of scale of the mountain.

And once again showing us why there is no other show that gives you the complete look at Everest, we also get a FULL tour of the bathroom facilities in base camp, something you're not likely to see anywhere else. In accordance to Nepali rules governing Everest, all waste material has to be packed off the mountain, and that is explained as well. Not the prettiest of video, but effective to be sure.

The rest of this week's episode offers more video in and around base camp, with impressive views of Everest looming overhead. There is also good footage on the road to Kala Patthar, which I'm sure we'll see more of next week.

As always, find the video online at the Rest of Everest website and directly in iTunes here.

The Rest of Everest Episode 132 and 133: Catching Up WIth The Trek

The Rest of Everest video podcast continues to give us an inside look at the trek to Everest Base Camp, with two more great episodes for fans of the show, and potential trekkers. One of these episodes was released late last week, and the other earlier today, so I'm just now getting the chance to watch the two videos.

The first episode is Episode 132: An Unbelievable Base Camp Surprise. As you can tell by the title of the episode, the team, or what's left of it, arrives in BC, with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, and the Khumbu Icefall. The original trekking group has been whittled down quite a bit, with only Rest of Everest producer Jon Miller, along with Steve Beatty, Jeff Coe and John Coleman actually completing the trek up the mountain. While in BC, Jon makes a phone call home to his mom, who is actually one of the guests on this week's show, weighing in with her thoughts on these crazy adventures. For those that did make the trek all the way to BC, it is a mixture of relief, happiness, and a sense of accomplishment. Long time fans of the show will also be happy to see the return of Dawa, who played in integral role in the original episodes of the podcast.

The latest episode is #133: Meanwhile in Kala Patthar, which shows us what the rest of the crew, the ones who didn't trek up to base camp, were doing while the others hung out in BC, and caught their breath. Unlike in the previous video, the weather has cleared, and with spectacular blue skies over head, the mountains offer up the amazing views you would expect when you're above 17,500 feet. The show, as usual, continues to demonstrate why it is "an almost unabridged" look at what it takes to climb Everest with a demonstration of how to use a pee bottle as well.

Great episodes that both show the culmination of all the hard work to get up to EBC. While the trek isn't over yet, as they have to get back down the mountain, this is what we've all been waiting to see.

The Rest of Everest Episode 131: High Peaks and High Aspirations

After a week off from the regular release schedule, The Rest of Everest returns this week with another excellent episode chronicling a trek up to Everest Base Camp that took place last spring.

This episode is entitled High Peaks and High Aspirations, and it's clear to see where that name comes from before the episode credits have even finished rolling. Stunning vistas are everywhere this time, including early shots of climbers going up Everest it self. They're mostly seen as tiny dots in the distance, but it is beautiful none the less.

The views continue throughout the episode of course, as we continue the trek up the Khumbu Valley. The regular characters that we've been following along are continuing to suffer a bit from the altitude, but BC is now so close they can practically see it. Highlights of the episode include snow capped peaks in all directions, the melodic sounds of yak bells going up the trail, and more insights from the trekkers on what it is really like to be there. Considering I'm going myself soon, I don't know if I should be excited or scared! :)

Catch all of the Rest of Everest episodes on the website or in iTunes. Week in and week out it is consistently great stuff.

The Rest of Everest DVD Giveaway: Week 5 Winner!

The winner in our fifth, and final, Rest of Everest DVD Giveaway contest is Robin Rongey of Edwardsville, IL. Robin has won a copy of Everest {the other side}, which is the wonderful film from which the Rest of Everest video podcast was started. Congrats Robin, I'll get the DVD out to you as soon as I can.

I'd like to thank everyone for entering this contest over the past month or so. I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope all the winners are enjoying the DVD as much as I have. Hopefully it helped to introduce some of you to this wonderful podcast that did a great job of spotlighting every aspect of a climb of Everest, and continues to cover all kinds of adventures in the Himalaya. If you're not already watching it on an (almost) weekly basis, then you really should be. It is consistently well filmed, well edited, and very informative on a subject we all love, the Himalaya and the tallest mountain on the planet.

Besides finding all of the episodes (there are 130 of them to date) on the website you can also subscribe to the podcast directly in iTunes by clicking here.

The Rest of Everest DVD Giveaway: Week 4 Winner!

This weeks winner of our Everest [the other side] DVD is Steffi Lomp of Herne, Germany. Congrats Steffi! I hope you enjoy the disc. :)

Which brings us to our fifth, and final DVD giveaway. The question for this week is an easy one for fans of Everest in general:

In this week's episode of The Rest of Everest, the trekking team met Apa Sherpa on the trail. Apa is a legend amongst mountaineers and holds the record for the most summits of Everest. How many times has Apa stood on the summit of Everest?

As usual, I'll collect all the winners and pick someone randomly to receive the DVD. Good luck to everyone who enters this week.

The Rest of Everest Episode 130: A True Living Legend

Our virtual trek up to Everest Base Camp continues this week with the release of a new episode of The Rest of Everest. Episode 130, entitled A True Living Legend, puts us back on the trail on the Nepali side of the mountain, as the team climbs ever closer to their goal.

Early on in this episode we're told by podcast creator Jon Miller that this particular show is a turning point in the series thus far. He teases us by saying that the episodes that are in the pipeline are amongst the best that he has ever worked on. Those are strong words considering the podcast has already covered a full Everest expedition, a journey through Tibet, and several expeditions to other Himalayan peaks.

Watching the episode, you'll see that the trek has begun to take it's toll on the team, who are now tired and feeling the effects of altitude and the cold weather. Fortunately for them, Base Camp is now in sight, and they're only looking at a few more days of suffering ahead of them. Unlike recent episodes however, the weather has cleared, showing a deep blue sky and stunning views of the mountains that line the Khumbu Valley.

Midway through the episode, you find out why this one is called "A True Living Legend". THe team bumps into Apa Sherpa on the trail, the man who holds the record for most successful summits on Everest. Jon conducts a good interview with Apa, who talks about what drives him to climb and why he returns to the mountain year after year, amongst plenty of other things. It's a very cool moment in the history of the entire show.

Be sure to catch this week's episode, either on the website or download it in iTunes, to get a great taste of what an Everest trek is like. And keep in mind, this is just the hike to BC, the climbers have a much bigger challenge still ahead of them.

The Rest of Everest DVD Giveaway: Week 4

Okay, now that we've had some time to check out the latest episode of The Rest of Everest, it's time for this week's trivia question. As usual, you can e-mail me your answer at KungFuJedi@gmail.com and I'll collect all of the responses and randomly pick a winner out of everyone who gets it right. The winner gets a copy of the Everest {the other side} DVD, which is the very cool movie that inspired the podcast to begin with.

So without further ado, here's this week's question:

Name one of the famous Everest legends whose memorial the team visited in this week's episode?

(Hint: One was immortalized in Jon Krakauer's book Into Thin Air and the other is one of the most famous Sherpas ever.)

Good luck to everyone! :)

The Rest of Everest Episode 129: The Ultimate Sacrifice

Fans of The Rest of Everest are treated to another episode of the podcast this week, with Episode 129: The Ultimate Sacrifice being released last night. This episode gets us back on the trail and heading up to Base Camp in grand style.

The episode opens exactly where we left off last week. The team is actually on a bit of rest break after hiking through the morning, and the exhaustion is evident in their body language. The trekkers are hunched over while sitting on a rock, looking like they are in desperate need of some down time. Of course, that doesn't come just yet, as their off on the trail once again soon there after.

Much of the rest of the episodes could be termed "scenes from the trail" as we get a variety of looks at the surrounding scenery as the team climbs further up the Khumbu Valley throughout the day. The skies remain a bit over cast, with low hanging clouds blocking much of the sun, but despite that, there is still plenty of shots of the Himalaya peeking through in the background.

Eventually, the trek team makes its way up to a memorial that is constructed to honor those that have perished on Everest. The monument is a small stupa covered in prayer flags, with smaller cairns around it made out of rocks stacked upon one another. The mood is a bit somber at that point of the trek, but the scenery is stunning, with high peaks looming over the area. The monument is a popular stopping point on the trek, and it clearly had an effect on the crew.

This is just a sample of what is in this episode. There is plenty of more to enjoy, so be sure to check out the video, either on the show's website or subscribe to it directly in iTunes.

The Rest of Everest DVD Giveaway: Week 3

It's time for the third week in our Rest of Everest DVD giveaway contest, in which you can win a copy of Everest {the other side}, the film that launched the podcast.

Each week of the contest, I ask a trivia question from the most recent episode of the podcast. Then, all you have to do to be eligible to win is e-mail me the answer at KungFuJedi@gmail.com. Before next week's episode, I'll pick a winner from everyone who gives me the correct answer, and ship a DVD out to them ASAP.

This week's question is:

According to Jeff, how many combinations of Yak-Cattle hybrids are in Nepal? (Can be found by Google apparently!)

Good luck everyone!

The Rest of Everest Episode 128: Immortalized In Nepal

The Rest of Everest gets back on the trail to Everest Base Camp this week with the release of Episode 128, entitled Immortalized in Nepal. You may recall that in the past few episodes, the trekking team has been stranded in Dingboche thanks to inclement weather in the region. Those back-to-back rest days could possibly throw off the schedule however, preventing the team from getting up to Base Camp.

The video gets off to a beautiful start when the trekkers step out of their tent to check the weather, and they are greeted with sunshine and clear, blue skies, much to the delight of all involved. After spending a couple of extra days in Dingboche, they all seemed eager to get a move on, and hopeful they'll still make it to their planned destination of EBC. With the skies cleared, we get amazing views of surrounding peaks, including Lhotse, Everest, and Ama Dablam.

A few episodes back one of the trekkers celebrated his birthday while on the journey, and the Sherpa's helped him celebrate it in style. This week, another member of the team gets to celebrate, as Megan turns 25 while surrounded by the Himalaya. Of course, the Sherpa guides couldn't just let the occasion pass without celebrating, and to honor Megan's big day they prepared a little surprise for her on the trail, spelling out birthday wishes in rocks along one of the slopes.

This video definitely gets back to being focused on the trek, with plenty of footage of the team hiking the route up to Base Camp. Not only does this video show the conditions that we can expect on such a trek, but it also shows the kind of camaraderie that these trekking groups experience while traveling (and suffering?) together in remote places. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, if you're interested in making this trek for yourself, it's definitely worth watching this season of the podcast.

The Rest of Everest DVD Giveaway Week 2 Winner!

This weeks winner in the Rest of Everest DVD give away contest is Rob Marsden of Tempe, AZ. Rob scored himself a copy of Everest {the other side}, which is the film that inspired the podcast that we all enjoy so much. Congrats Rob, the DVD is on it's way!

A new episode of the Rest of Everest is already on iTunes and the website, so I'll hopefully get a chance to review it tonight or tomorrow, and post a new question for this week. The contest will start once again, with your chance to win a copy of the DVD for yourself.

The Rest of Everest DVD Giveaway: Week 2

We're ready for the second week of our Rest of Everest DVD give away in which you can win a copy of Everest {the other side} the DVD that launched the program.

Once again, the rules are simple. Watch this week's episode of the Rest of Everest, and find the answer to the trivia question below. Then send your answer to kungfujedi@gmail.com. I'll collect all the correct answers, and then pick a winner out of a hat to win this week's DVD.

This week's question is:

What movie did Jon see a poster for in the teahouse in Dingboche?

Good luck everyone!

The Rest of Everest Episode 127: You CAN Hear Me Now

Midweek, as usual, brings us a new episode of The Rest of Everest, which continues the trek through the Khumbu Valley up to Everest Base Camp. When we left off last week, the team was still stranded in Dingboche, and that's where we start this week.

Episode 127, entitled You CAN Here Me Now begins with everyone still hanging out in the local teahouse while they wait for the weather to clear. Early on, we get a nice contrast of cultures, as we see the team carrying all kinds of high tech gear, including some great camera gear and Jon's iPhone, only to also see a local woman changing out the fuel in the stove used as a furnace. The "fuel" in this case was yak dung.

Over the course of the trek thus far, we've heard that there have been issues with the satellite phone not working properly. But on this day, it is finally up and running, allowing the trekkers to make phone calls home to say hello and check in with their friends and family.

Not much in the way of scenery this week, as the region is still covered with low clouds and snow. But Lhotse does make a cameo appearance at one point, and next week's episode looks like it'll put us back on the trail to base camp. Tune in then to see how the trek unfolds.

The Rest of Everest DVD Giveaway Week 1 Winner!

Congratulations to Val Nordquist of Philadelphia, PA for winning the Rest of Everest DVD contest this week and claiming a copy of Everest {the other side}. I'll get that DVD shipped out to you ASAP Val, and I hope you enjoy it! :)

A new episode of The Rest of Everest should be available later today, which means we'll have another opportunity to win in the next day or two. If you're a fan of Everest, and mountaineering in general, you'll want a copy of this DVD. It's an excellent, well made film about the mountain, and it was the catalyst that brought us the Rest of Everest podcast.

Thanks to everyone who entered this week. If you didn't win, give it a shot this week. We have a number of DVD's to give away, and it's easy to win!