Hi Steve.

I like your Neverending Mile idea..........

And as for the altitude sickness, I got pills from my doctor for AMS. My younger son, who really had bad AMS last time, took a pill the night before and twice during the day that we hiked to the summit and back. My older son, who was doing this for the first time, wanted to try to do it without the pills...so I just brought them along. I knew that if he started showing symptoms, he could take a pill and feel better in 15 to 30 minutes. He never needed them and my younger son was fine with just having those 3 pills.

As for staying together, because of my previous experience with being left behind, I was bound and determined that we would all stay together.

It's now a week and a half later, and we are all still talking about the "journey" and how great it was. Maybe I will do it again someday or maybe I'll pick another higher mountain to hike. It truly is an experience that I will never forget. Thanks for all your hints/moral support/advice.