I was thinking of what I brought that worked well and what could have been better. Here is my short list:

1. Boots - The Everest Millet boots were worn on the mountain for the first time. They saved a lot of time with avoiding gaiters and overboots and except for banging around the ankle and blisters on the way down, performed very well ( cut through the fabric with my crampon one day but easily taped up with some ripstop.

2. Softshell pants - I used the same pair I brought for Antarctica some three years ago and worked well on the mountain while climbing and even while sleeping.

3. Thermos - The first time I have ever used one, this 1/3 liter small enough to fit in my hardshell jacket and large enough to hold enough hot chai tea to make me happy.

4. Solar Charger and iPod Nano - The charger worked great with the sun and charged other people’s devices also. The iPod stopped working due to cold but came back to life and worked well on the descent and tent music.

5. Gloves - I had the right combination of fleece, “guide” gloves, mittens, liners etc. for all the weather conditions.

6. Extra Nalgene - On other climbs we had reused water bottles for pee bottles, it was great having a dedicated bottle for urine and did not add any weight.

7. Pack and Duffel - Had been used before the the duffel was perfect for the sled.

8. Parka, Sleeping Bag - Both were for -40 and had been used before and were just right.

9. Overall clothing - Just the right combination of not too many layers on top (two capiline) and enough pairs of warm underwear and long johns (capiline), enough socks and liner socks for not too much weight

10. Miscellaneous stuff - The right cup/bowl, small knife with scissors (that did break though), a very small 5″ notebook, powders, tape etc.

Things that did not work out well:

1. Soft shell jacket - Was too tight and not needed with the other layers

2. Other hardshell/softshell pants - I have worn these before and not needed with the other layers (both of the above got cached at various levels

3. Food - Was mostly good, but the tuna and salmon and cliff bars were just not right.

4. TP - I could have brought 4 rolls instead of the 2 that were recommended though Sandra helped out with 1 1/2 extra rolls to give

5. Wool hat - I’ve used this one before and I could have used one with ear flaps or down lower. I could have also used a baseball style hat with neck and earl flaps, though mine worked ok.

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