To the Editor:

My son, Seth Wolpin, summited Mt. Everest Thursday, May 12 and is safely back at base camp. He will return to his public health work in Seattle in June. Seth grew up in Potsdam and his first “mountain” was the long slope at Postwood Park.

He received his R.N. diploma from North Country Community College. His father is Miles Wolpin and his sister, Robin Wolpin, lives in Massena.

We had incredible communication from Seth. He has a website, www.sethwolpin.com and could send and receive email. His cell phone called from the summit and generally cost 12 cents a minute. He was great at sending us daily updates and observations.

However, receiving is a different story here at our little base camp in Parishville. I spend about $100 a month on Verizon, but many robot voices seem to be telling me that we cannot receive their internet here. Nor can we send cell phone calls.

Seth’s nieces Claire and Kate no longer are thrilled to visit Grammy at camp because they might miss a text. Time Warner will extend their cable for a mere $2,400 of which they will pick up half. We had dial up internet at $17 a month in the past, but it was iffy or non-existent.

We have never had Dish TV because it involves a year contract and we are gone for six months winter time.

The very week of Seth’s climb, I contacted K&B Electronics in Norwood. Within hours, helpful Becky Arlow sent their installer, Jim McConkey. He surveyed for southern exposure but that’s the Parishville digway.

Jim climbed trees and figured out what to do. Our friend Fred Peryer came with a chain saw and cut out a few offending trees. Friday afternoon, we had a Hughes Dish and were in internet contact with Seth’s descent. It is very fast and so far—perfect. I cannot thank these friendly folks enough.

Nor can I thank our family and friends for their support of Seth’s adventures (and ours) throughout the years. It is great to live in the North Country and be able to connect with a wider world.

Susan Jackson, Parishville