Costa Mesa, Ca.

February 22, 2013

Dear Family & Friends:

I am excited about the launch of the overhaul of my eightsummits.com website.  I hope you like it.

Here are some of the new features:

  • the short video clip on my Home page
  • my blog, now subdivided by adventure
  • the photo and video tour of the Eight Summits, with some dramatic photos and video of my last six trips to Mt. Everest
  • trip reports and photos related to my 4 long-distance, solo, motorcycle trips and the video of my bungee jump
  • the documentary film “Eight Summits: The Bill Burke Story” that will be released in the first quarter of 2013
  • the photo gallery that has photos and video of all the mountains I have climbed, photos of my motorcycle trips and my favorite black & white mountain photos
  • Bill Burke’s Articles, including “Summit Night 2009,” “Summit Night 2012,” “Crowds on Everest” and “The Tragic Death of David Sharp”

I want to thank my daughter, Lisa, for her hard work on the website overhaul.  I also want to recognize Lauren Pawell, who did a magnificent job in the design and construction of the changes.  http://bixamedia.com.

My next big adventure will be a European river cruise with my wife, Sharon.  We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary last June.  I told Sharon we are going on a 22-day cruise across Europe in 2013.  I asked her to pick the month.  She chose May, which is prime Everest climbing season.  Huge mistake, especially for a lawyer trained to consider worst-case scenarios.

As we approach the Everest climbing season, circa 2013, my heart sinks in disbelief that I won’t be visiting Mt. Everest.  I know my old friend will miss me.

Alas, there is always 2014, when I will be 72.

Bill