Costa Mesa, California

August 6, 2014

Dear Family & Friends:

I have some exciting news to share!

On May 21, 2014, the government of Nepal announced the opening of 104 new peaks in the fabled Himalayan mountain range. One of those peaks is named after me.

“Burke Khang” (“Khang” means mountain) is located in the Solukhumbu/NC region, between Mt. Everest and Cho Oyu, two of the most famous mountains in the world. Burke Khang is 6,942 meters (22,775 feet) high, and is a border peak, since half of it is located in Nepal and the other half is located in China. This seems appropriate since I have summited Mt. Everest from both the South (Nepal) approach and the North (Tibet) approach. Burke Khang is an unclimbed peak, so now I have a new challenge, and I most certainly plan to accept that challenge.

Ang Tshering Sherpa, the President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, recommended that this mountain be named after me, and his recommendation was accepted by the Association, the Ministry of Tourism, the Nepalese Cabinet and the Prime Minister of Nepal.

Before receiving this totally unexpected news, I had already worked up a 3-year adventure plan, which I will share with you soon. Somehow, I’ll work Burke Khang into that plan.

Here is a complete list of the 104 new peaks.

Bill

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