Keith Cowing: My Mission to Everest

Two large yellow duffel bags sit in my rec room. Both are half-packed. Between the clothing, electronic gear and other things I need, I will try to make it all fit into the bags this coming week.

I have a target to meet, a mission to prepare for: several weeks of trekking through Nepal and a month living at Everest Base Camp.

You see, my friend Scott Parazynski is returning to Mt. Everest for a second time and I will be joining him there. Scott is a mountaineer, medical doctor and former astronaut. If he makes it to the top of Everest, he will be the first human to travel into space and stand atop the highest point on the surface of our planet.