EVEREST LIVE

April 28, 2001

From: Kevin Cherilla
Base Camp Manager

Namaste to you all!

As we break down camp and begin leaving base camp tomorrow, all of us from the NFB 2001 Everest Expedition would like to thank all of you that were a part of this historical event.  We have received over 3,000 emails from family, friends and everyone else that sent us positive thoughts and prayers our way.

We would like to thank all of our sponsors especially the National Federation of the Blind and Allegra.  I would personally like to thank the REI in Paradise Valley, AZ, the Arizona Mountaineering Club, Sue Goins, Eric Bustamante the owner of Salon Exodus and all of the schools in Phoenix that Erik and I visited before we left.

We would also like to thank the hundreds of students and schools around the world that were involved with the expedition.  I hope you learned a lot about Nepal and their people, about climbing Mt. Everest, teamwork, goal setting, hard work and determination.  I hope we have touched your life in some way or another and that you can find a positive role model amongst us. Education means a lot to all of us and we wish you the very best in school!

Finally, I would like to thank all of our wives, children, family members, and significant others that have been a part of this for over a year.  You have made the biggest sacrifices of all in order for this to happen, especially while we were away for the last two and half months.  You were our guiding light and inspiration during the entire expedition. We love you all so much and can't wait to get home and hold and love you all.  I personally can't wait to get home to the 100+ degree temperatures of Phoenix and take my family to an Arizona Diamondbacks game!

Again, we thank and love you all.  Make yourself a great day!

Kevin