Mount Everest South Side Expedition
Sean Burch

 Current Nepal Time

Follow the dispatches: Dispatch One: Kathmandu, Nepal: I arrived in Kathmandu this morning. The flight was pretty much uneventful, which is good. On the way in, SAS served us AquaVite, so I toasted my expedition with this traditional Norwegian drink. It brought to mind all of my Norwegian ancestors who have inspired me to climb. Check here for the full dispatch.

Sean Burch will be attempting Everest on an Asian trekking permit, without the support of other western climbers. The attempt will be made without supplemental oxygen. If Sean succeeds, he will be one of only a few Americans to climb Everest without supplemental oxygen. Sean will be climbing alone without a guide, and with only two Sherpas to carry his gear to the various camps along the route.

His Goals are:

Goal 1: No Supplemental Oxygen
To climb to Mt. Everest's summit without supplementary oxygen, which only 7 Americans have ever accomplished. More Americans have walked on the moon than reached the summit of Everest by this method.

Goal 2: Medical Research
Altitude sickness is a serious health problem on high altitude climbs. Sean will use Viagra on Everest and hopes to prove that it will help avoid high altitude sickness. Viagra is known to increase blood flow in the lungs. Oxygen saturation measurements will be recorded throughout the climb from base camp to the summit.

Goal 3: Health Care Initiative
Organize a family health care initiative program, where he distributes non-prescription, first-aid supplies to families of local villages within Northeastern Nepal while traveling to Everest base camp.

Goal 4: Jump-Rope Record
Sean will attempt to break his high altitude jump rope world record. He currently holds the record for jumping rope at 22,841ft. Sean hopes to be the first person in the world to jump rope on Everest's summit.