Telecommuting From Everest?!?!

Have you ever wondered how people actually can get away to climb Everest? Forget about the $20,000+ (bare minimum) that you would need to make the climb for the moment, and just think about the two and half months you would need off work to give it a go. Well, if you've got the money, but not the time, perhaps you could go the same route as Mike Marolt who has managed to slip off to Everest while keeping his day job.

Marolt is an accountant from Boulder, Colorado, who went to Everest with his twin brother. However, the Marolt boys didn't want to stay out of touch with their business while they were gone, so they used an array of technology to keep tabs of what was happening back home. So, equipped with a sat phone, satellite Internet, and a subscription to GoToMyPC.com, which allows users to have remote access to their computers back home and have full access to files, e-mail, and more. The results are that they were able to make it through the busy tax season, even while they're on the other side of the globe pursuing their dream of an Everest summit.

This is a pretty cool story for a number of reasons. First of all, it's amazing that technology has evolved to a point where this is possible. Sat phones and Internet access on Everest have really opened up the level of communication on the mountain. All this technology also means that sooner or later, someones going to need an IT Guy in their base camp, and I'm just the guy for the job! ;) So if any base camp managers are reading, and think they might need someone on their next expedition, send me an e-mail!

I would also note that these guys own their own business, which makes it easier to get away. When you're the boss, and you want to climb, the only person you have to convince is yourself. They also live in Boulder, which also makes it easier. When customers ask where their accountants are, and they are told that they are on Everest climbing, they are likely to just nod their heads in understanding. :)

As always, thanks for the story Carl. It's another good one!