“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, and catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, dream, discover.” Mark Twain.
I couldn’t express my feelings any better. So, next year, at age 70, I plan to return to Mt. Everest to finish my quest for a double summit. This time, I plan to start on the South side in Nepal and then move to the North side in Tibet. This is because the lines are fixed much earlier on the South than on the North.
I have given this a lot of thought, although some of you may feel this is an obsession with the mountain. Maybe so. But, this year, I was within 1,000 feet of the summit, moving strong and feeling good, when I was turned around by what I feel was a miscalculation by my Sherpa. I just can’t bear to give up my dream on those terms. If I don’t succeed next year, I’ll probably declare victory based on my summit in 2009 and move on to other adventures:
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There’s no point in being a damn fool about it.” W.C. Fields.
Those of you who follow my blog know that, in March of this year, on behalf of a client, I filed a Petition in the United States Supreme Court asking the Court to hear a very important case. If the Court grants my Petition and decides to hear the case, it will schedule the case for argument in 2012. If the case is not scheduled for argument before April, I will need to move the Everest expedition to 2013. I’ll let you know once the Court acts on my Petition.
Filmmaker, Allan Smith, the owner of documentary award-winning DreamQuest Productions, will be traveling with me to film the expedition. He plans to produce a documentary titled “8 Summits: The Bill Burke Story.” The poster he has prepared is depicted below. Allan has secured sponsorship from Nokia, and both Allan and Nokia are very excited about the project. So am I.
I am back into full time training. I have a long way to go to get back into fighting form, but, with help from Ollie, I know I can do it.
I will keep you posted as developments occur.
I hope you are all having a great summer.
Bill Burke
More Kudos to you…..can’t wait to see the documentary…I was hoping a movie but I will settle for this one 🙂
We will be cheering you on every step of the way from here in the Ozarks..God bless you…
I followed your inspiring blog all last season and I wish you the best in 2012. I can’t wait to see your summit video next year!
‘Unless you give yourself to some great cause, you haven’t even begun to live.’ (William P. Merrill) You have great causes and great purposes that you are fulfilling and your inspiration is an enabling vehicle for others. God bless you, Bill.
Work hard & BELIEVE. You will be ready when the moment is right to pack up your training and hit the trail. Thanks for inspiring folks all over the globe.
I constantly learn from you Bill. Thanks a lot for the lessons. Best wishes as always.
Barking Yeti on LSD laced spaghetti this man. Mama mia. I need pitons to climb into bed.
This is so cool Papa! I love you!
Terrific Bill. I’m so proud of you. You inspire me and are in my thoughts and prayers for your summit. Have a great summer, rest up cause you know you are going to need all the energy god has to give to you. I will be following your journey.
That’s wonderful. You are an inspiration.
I constantly learn from you Bill. Thanks a lot for the lessons. Best wishes as always.
I knew you’d be going back! That is so awesome about the documentary! Looking forward to hearing your update on when you will start.
GREAT NEWS!
Bill, I love the quote by Mark Twain and how well it applies to your life! You KNOW we will be following your expedition this year again from McPherson Magnet School and will eagerly await release of the documentary!
Bill great to hear from you! You not only follow your dreams and goals, but you also carry the dreams, wishes and prayers of many of us that follow you around! God Bless You! and I/We will never forget your kind and humble gesture of reaching out to us
Bill, so exciting about the documentary. What would we all do for excitement if it weren’t for you. Keep up the good work. Know that all you desire will come to you as result of all your hard work. Kudos to Ollie. We pray for him daily.
Bill, You ROCK! We look forward to your Epic return to Everest, your stories are facinating to say the least. Call us in CO if you’d like some other Mtn training. Keep Klimin! XXOO Jill & Rich
Wow, that’s so exciting! Congratulations!!
Wow, I can’t wait. I read just this morn.: ‘Try, fail, try better’ We all learn from our mistakes so it is not really a failure, but a learning lesson. We can all learn from you, Bill. You are a great inspiration! You will suceed. My prayers are with you.
Wow! That’s fabulous! I’m riveted and inspired by your experiences – thanks for even trying! And I will definitely watch the movie!!
I am sooooo pleased to hear you are planning another attempt! I only hope it can be in 2012 and you don’t have to wait till 2013. I can’t wait for the documentary. Thank you for keeping us posted, God bless you and the best of luck to you. You’re an in
WOW amazing – I wish you all the best.
Good for you, Bill. You’re a true inspiriation to all of us. I look forward to following your adventures.
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