D -2 and counting...

One of the trickiest things to manage on a trip like our Everest 2017 venture is the ability to have sufficient power to keep all essential devices operational. It is important to have access to friends and family for their (and our) peace of mind. So, it becomes important to have access to remote power sources to charge phones, tablets and computers.

More critical is to have access to weather reporting. For this I am using tea-house wifi (in Nepal), and Vodafone's $5/day international roaming (in Tibet). This provides access to the www. However, we need a good supply of power to access the www and communicate efficiently with the remainder of the world. I learned from the master Henri L on the 2001 AAA expedition, where he had to use a light socket fitting to rig up some power for the computers and satellite phones.

While our devices have become more power efficient, there is still a requirement to be self sufficient for electricity - particularly when at BC for extended periods. Solar is the solution, and storage in lead-acid batteries is the usual 'go-to' for power. Generators have their place, but require a great deal of love and attention at altitude.

Lithium ion batteries have emerged as a viable light-weight power storage option. However, they are tricky to charge by solar. The solution is... Solar panel and standard lead-acid battery charger/voltage regulator, charging a small light-weight lead-acid (gel) battery (which are safe to fly), then once assembled, couple the Lithium battery to the lead-acid battery's terminals. Constant voltage is ensured by the lead-acid battery, and the Lithium battery soaks it up!! Once charged, you can carry the light weight Lithium battery where-ever you want!!

Good power management means access to critical information contributing to expedition success.