Gilo has the machine ready to fly at last...we are just waiting for a weather window.

We leave for the Alps in a few weeks- we have all the kit assembled and ready...just bought new bail out rigs which fit better into our paramotor harnesses than our conventional skydiving rigs with only a reserve.

We have also now got all the little niggles of kit as well.. i.e.: anti misters, glow sticks, crampons, thermals, hand warmers, altimeters, etc. We have also gone through in minute detail with High & Wild all the logistical details of getting us ready out in Nepal including briefing times with the Air authorities in Lukla for the issuing of call signs for us and air traffic clearances etc.

Channel Four & Discovery Channel have also now confirmed their involvement- the mission is being filmed for a 2 hr special.

All the camera crew and directors are being assembled almost real time! I have insisted on using the same cameraman Simon that I have had through all of the Born Survivor & Man Vs Wild shows. Friends matter on Everest! Also the wings are almost with us- we are just buying last remaining radios and helmets we need. Assembling also props, spares and fuel. We need to be ready to ship everything out to Nepal in 4 weeks!

The Alps is our chance to go through the SIV training- i.e. emergency extreme weather handling side of paragliding, as well as test our oxygen and radio and clothing, as well as to fly our actual Everest machines. In the evenings we can go through with Neil all the safety back up plans. On the oxygen note: we are now pretty set on the summit oxygen nasal canula as our back up system fitted and attached to a small bottle on demand feed. With a top-out mask attached to a poisk bottle on 4ltrs a min as our main delivery system. We are going to trial these in the hypobaric chamber in the next week.

Our Interval Hypoxic training will be in full swing by the end of the Alps- where we will not only be breathing rare air for 90mins a day but also sleeping in our hypoxic tents at home...sorry Shara!! We will also be taking a tent out to Nepal to simulate sleeping at 6500m whilst only at 4500m.

Finally we have agreed to use an advanced base camp just under Everest's south flank as our new base camp- this will be in the mountains above Pheriche- this puts us higher up, which in turn means harder take offs and landings, but it also means we are within much better striking distance to the mountain. The communications will be much safer here, the lateral distance we need to travel first will be much less, with our base camp being able to watch the vast majority of our attempt from the ground - hence anticipate any mishaps! It also means we are not trying to search out our base camp through clouds if weather has changed in the further down valleys after we have taken off and headed off to Everest.

This new advanced Base camp is better all round - but the sacrifice is the tougher take offs and landings but it is worth it we believe. Terry Stubbs of adventure x who has much experience of paragliding in the Himalayas has advised this as well. This is how these expeditions work- it all hots up, everyone helps and advises and between us we come up with a plan that will God willing work.

As ever, and as they say in the Royal Navy, 'The Team Works!' Thanks everyone for all your support and well done Nigel, Gilo, Andy and Neil for everything.

Bear x

ps: Off to Iceland then Scotland for 12 days for final Born Survivor & Man Vs Wild shows then all done and 120% Everest focussed...at last!

pps: family coming with Gilo & Neil and me to Alps...will be heaven to have them with me...I wish they could come to Everest but it is too high for the littl'uns and Shara likes warm baths!!