I realize this is late notice, but I have a free ticket to hear Ed Viesturs at the National Geographic in Washington DC, Tonight (April 16th)
this is a sold out event.
Let me know if you want it and I can meet you in the lobby before it starts.

-TL

did you go? If I had a few days heads up I would have come down for it.

Yes. It was incredible. He is very funny and a very good public speaker. I was on the edge of my chair the whole time.

Added bonus: this morning I got to see the space shuttle fly over my head!

Not a bad 24 hours!!!!!!

Wow, I'm so glad you had a splendid time!

Tiger - how much were the tickets, if you don't mind me asking?

I think it was $18-20, a piece. Somewhere in that range.

Here are their events:
http://events.nationalgeographic.com/ev ... al-events/

Free parking !

Of all the slide shows of hardcore alpinists I've seen, Ed is by far the most polished speaker. I had a GF whose boss had season tickets to Benaroya Hall in Seattle (typically operas and such). He gave her the Ed Viestures tickets and she brought me along. The audience was decidedly non dirt bag climbers (mostly rich folks used to listening to high brow music and lectures) and Ed had the whole audience eating out his hand. He did a question and answer section at the end with audience members submitting question on 3 x 5 cards.

Question: How do you go do the bathroom on Everest?
Answer: Quickly. Because its cold.

Question: Do you get to ever relax in a bath on Everest, or do you just have to settle for a quick shower?
Answer: What are you talking about?