Happened last week

It's now less than a month to start and pace of preparations is increasing. Last week went by very quickly training, negotiating sponsorships, giving a few interviews and among other preparations. I met with the Nordic manager of an international software company, whom I had met on my Aconcagua climb and who wants to join the Everest expedition the co-operation front. Once again I can only be amazed about all the wonderful people and things I have run into during my Everest project. A mountaineering-enthusiast himself, the ex-Swedish Army pilot Mats didn't need any explanations about my motives to climb Everest and we almost forgot to negotiate the sponsorship amongst all other interesting discussions. The product this company offers also got me excited, more about that later on.

My first live tv show was also a fun experience: together with Pata Degerman we got the opportunity to tell about mountaineering and introduce my home for the coming two months: Halti's Antarctica tent on the new cheery sports channel at 4Sport. The broadcast is now available under the Media section.

Almost all gear has now been purchased except for some special equipment that comes from abroad. I received my new feminine red down suit and the further enhanced backpacks from Halti and my gear is only short of the last few things. The final missing equipment came from the new co-operation partner Summit Sports: http://www.summitsports.net . I received some of the equipment as a souvenir from a work trip to NY-thanks Mia. I have now also chosen the very important energy drinks, -gels- and bars from the Maxim selection and they are ready and packed to go to help with the two months' energy deficit and recovery.

The toughest training is done and now I'm concentrating on staying healthy, improving techniques and maintaining the accomplished good condition. I am especially happy about the instruction to eat well and gain weight ahead of the anticipated severe weight-loss. My weight has steadily increased along with the increased training and eating so that side is at least in order;)

In addition to aerobic and power training, last week's training consisted of daily hot yoga sessions- highly appreciated by my muscles that have been aching from heavy training. In addition, shoveling 50 to 70 cm of snow from my home's and summer house's roofs provided good additional training: thanks Tanja for the help.

Here a few photos from last week's training self arrest -training in Nuuksio, where photographer Tea Karvinen: http://www.teakarvinen.pictures.fi/kuvat/ captured my training with PT Arri Leino. In the first photo Arri is adding speed to my sliding down the hill head-first, which I attempt to slow down and stop with the axe. In the second photo is the self arrest position , which can stop a potential slide on a hill. A useful skill on the over-a-kilometer-long Lhotse face.

More news again soon!