Leaving Home
Packing and buying food are the last major steps in getting the team out of America and off to Asia.

		"And so the journey begins. We stayed up until 1:30 a.m. to get all the packing done. Not too too late, but late enough - Every day I find out new things about myself. I have enormous problems with not being in charge, not knowing what is going on, not being a part of all the decisions. I am worried, tense and nervous. And completely numb." - Carina Ostberg, 2 September 2002
		"Mark has already had to start his fathering role of the trip. When we showed up at the store, the food shopping was way out of hand. There was enough food in the cart to feed all of us for two months at the North Pole, or some other place with no local food besides seals and ice. I can’t help but wonder if they’ve planned to do nothing but eat? " - Carina Ostberg, 3 September 2002
		"Packing yesterday was hectic, but we seemed to have got it all. Food shopping was way overboard. Food, medicines, extra gear, over weight baggage, all amounted to $2,500 to $3,000. All I think we need to bring over food wise are power bars. But Kate and Jordan need protein - cans of chicken, turkey and pouches of tuna. Ace needs pasta. Lots of cheese & salami, crackers, chocolate and candy bars. Big bags of trail mix. Tons of pop tarts, cereal and breakfast bars. Soup, M&M’s, scotch. Jolly Ranchers for Kate. Then all the Power Bars and stuff." - Mark Newcomb, 4 September 2002
		"If I let myself get overbearingly involved with the logistics of getting to Basecamp, I'll get way too maxed out and probably then ruin a good thing... I have to stay on a very even, low key, profile. It has to be up to Mark to set the pace and schedule for the climb. I can't say how people will react when it comes down to load carrying and breaking trail. I wonder how far we'll really get with our skis and an intact team. Experience tells me we'll probably thin out above the Camp I at 5800 meters." - Carlos Buhler, 5 September 2002