* There is some controversy as to what qualifies as completing the Adventure Grand Slam when it comes to reaching the North and South Poles. Many adventurers claim to have completed it by starting out at 89 degrees and skiing the last degree (approximately sixty-nine miles) to each of the Poles. A “last degree” trip usually takes ten to fourteen days. Others claim that in order to complete the Grand Slam a “full crossing” is required, which means starting from an accepted coastal point and skiing several hundred miles over a period of approximately six to eight weeks to reach the Pole. Fewer than forty people have completed the Adventure Grand Slam. Roughly twenty-four skiers have done so by last degree, and ten have done so by a full crossing. I skied the last degree to the North Pole and did a full crossing to the South Pole.

* The CFA—Chartered Financial Analyst designation—is a credential that represents in-depth knowledge of the investment industry. Candidates must complete the required coursework and pass three six-hour exams. It takes an average of four years to complete the program.

* There are fourteen peaks in the world that are more than 8,000 meters in height, and they are collectively known as the 8,000-meter peaks or the eight thousanders.

* Williamson, A. M. and Anne-Marie Feyer, “Moderate Sleep Deprivation Produces Impairments in Cognitive and Motor Performance Equivalent to Legally Prescribed Levels of Alcohol Intoxication,” Occupational and Environmental Medicine 57, no. 10 (October 2000): 649–655.

* There are two versions of the Seven Summits: One version includes Carstensz Pyramid, since it is the highest peak in Australasia (the region comprised of Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and the neighboring islands in the Pacific Ocean). The alternative version includes the easier-to-climb Mount Kosciuszko (the highest peak in mainland Australia), which does not require any technical skills and is an easy hike to 7,310 feet/2,228 meters.

* Tragically, Chhewang Nima Sherpa died five months later in Nepal while climbing Baruntse.