An Everest expedition requires many months of planning and preparation. When you consider the experience required it takes years to be prepared. Below provides a summarized outline of what gear, skills, physical, medical and mental preparation is involved in getting ready for an Everest expedition.

Skills
Mountaineering skills required to climb Everest include: climbing on fixed rope, self ice-axe arrest, cramponing, belaying, rappelling, roped glacier travel, route finding, anchors, crevasse rescue and technical ice climbing.

Physical Training
I train all year around and generally stay in very good physical condition. However, before a big climb I always step my training up a few notches. I have a saying; you can either pay now or pay later. I prefer to “pay now” in order to enjoy the climb, improve my safety margin and probability of success. I cross train a minimum of 1-2 hours of cardiovascular training (running , biking or stairs with a heavy pack) a day with an additional hour of weight training. I rest one day per week. On weekends I look for opportunities to train (skiing, biking, mountaineering, etc.) for a few hours. Excellent physical condition won't fend off altitude sickness; however, it will enable more oxygen to reach the body. My stepped up training program starts 6-month before a big climb.

Chiropractor: Often during intense training, "old" and new injuries become a painful reality. I have found chiropractic treatment to be extremely effective in maintaining a strong physical structure able to generate high performance. I have been very fortunate to having found some of the best Chiropractor's in the country: Dr. Scott Rubin in St. Petersburg, Florida and Dr. Christine Phillips in Park City, Utah. I thank both of them for their care and expertise.

Mental Preparation
Mental Toughness: Climbing big mountains requires a significant amount of mental toughness to embrace conditions such as: extreme discomfort from cold, fatigue and altitude (head aches, nausea, sleep apnea), fear, etc.

Patience: Mountaineering requires a lot of 'down time'. Down time can consist of acclimatization, rest and weather days. Out of the roughly eight weeks I will spend on the mountain, I will only be climbing about 20 or more days.

Visualization: I picture myself on the mountain, succeeding and enjoying the moment.

Individual Gear
Equipment: 5,000+ cubic inches backpack, back pack cover for rain, large plastic compacter garbage bags, ice axe, 12-point crampons, ski poles, mechanical ascenders, spare parts, climbing harness, climbing helmet, carabineers, sleeping bag, oxygen canisters, sleeping bag (rated: -35 degrees Fahrenheit), sleeping pads, headlamp, water bottles with insulated water bottle cover, sunscreen, lip protection, eating utensils (bowl & spoon), first aid kit and prussic cord.

Clothing-Upper Body: Long sleeve underwear top, lightweight fleece shirt, heavyweight fleece shirt, fleece jacket, Gore-Tex shell jacket, insulating down-filled outer layer parka, insulated down-filled suit.

Clothing-Lower Body: Long underwear bottoms, fleece pants, Gore-Tex pants, trekking pants, underwear

Clothing-Head: Synthetic or wool hat, sun hat, balaclava, sunglasses w/side shields and full UV and IR protection, goggles w/dark lens and full UV and IR protection

Clothing-Feet: Wool/Synthetic Socks, crampon compatible plastic moutaineering boots, hiking boots, gaiters, lightweight shoes, camp booties

Clothing-Hands: Heavy shelled mitts, heavy shelled gloves, and fleece gloves

Group Gear & Logistics
Climbing permit, Sherpa's, Hotel, Transportation, Food, Stoves, Spare Parts, Fuel, Pots & Cooking Utensils, Basecamp Tent, Tents, Ropes, Satellite Phone, Radios, etc.

Medical
Medical Kit: Antibiotic for upper respiratory problems, Antibiotic for GI problems, Diamox for acclimazation, Nifedipine (for pulmonary edema) and Dexamethasome (for cerebral edema), Tylenol 3 for pain and first aid kit.

Immunizations: Tetanus-Diphtheria, Polio, MMR, Meningitis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Cholera, Rabies, Typhoid, and Malaria