Tips for adventure production:

1. Hire strong support people who have experience. Not very many people have experience in production work who also can handle the physical rigors of the outdoors.  
2. Understand the capabilities of the clients. I was concerned about Brandi’s abilities to handle the extreme physical exertion required to make the peak. I found out she had been preparing the entire year to be in shape mentally and physically. She was driven by her positive attitude and determination.
3. Be clear about what you are getting into. My initial concern was that it would be hard to get all 12 people to the summit. I also new most of the people had little if any climbing experience and would require ropes for the ascent and descent, which would really slow down a group of this size. How would that affect Brandi getting to the summit?  What on site decisions might have to be made?
4. Weather in the mountains is a central issue. We gave ourselves an extra weather day, which we used, confined to our tents while it snowed on and off.
5. Pre-production is very important. If anyone in a group is unprepared, then the rest of the team suffers.   I didn’t fully understand the capabilities of the group Brandi had assembled so I made sure my team would be as solid as possible.
6. Know your equipment and get the best you can afford. We had the support of Mystery Ranch backpacks for our camping gear, climbing gear and camera equipment, extremely well engineered packs.  They supply these same packs to the U.S. military.
7. Rig for easy access and the unexpected. I found myself carrying between 35 – 40 lbs throughout the trip. I took food while hiking, water, clothes, Sony EX1 and accessories. Until the summit bid, Bill Heiselman stayed nearby with spare batteries, a backup Canon 7D, a hand held single chip HDV cam and tripod.  Aaron and Jonathan carried food, shelter, and climbing gear. At times I carried the camera on the outside of my pack for quick access. Other times I carried it on a strap around my neck. In severe weather I was able to secure it inside the pack.
8. Make sure you have enough batteries and media to complete the job. I shot prudently to make every shot count and took the battery off the camera between setups to keep it warm and avoid running it down. I find a combination of an absorbent cloth like a sham-wow and a backpack cover make a secure rain cover for the camera and still enable me to work in harsh conditions. I had small chamois cloths scattered throughout my pockets.
9. Keep eating and drinking frequently at high altitude with full sun and wind.  I can’t afford to slow down or show signs of fatigue. I’m poised to shoot others in that kind of condition.
10. No shoot goes according to plan; solving problems in the moment is key.
11. Have a backup shooter, if possible.  An injury is a real possibility.  Bill could continue the shoot if something happened to me.  
12. If the client is happy in the end, then it’s a job well done.