LOL! As much as I would have loved to figure out a way for Microsoft (or anyone for that matter) to "sponsor" this trip, we are paying for it ourselves. And all of the gear you see is indeed gear that we researched and purchased specifically for the trip, or have purchased for prior trips. While for some people this would be excessive, and even I don't always like to hike with this much gear, the fact is that where we're headed is a prime location to do sightseeing and take pictures. I want those pictures to be geotagged to help me go back and review my trip later. I also want the laptop to help me review my digital pictures along the way which will help me adjust the settings on my camera for the environment we're about to encounter.
But you make a very good point, Arztek. Yes we are definitely taking a compass (three, in fact) and printed maps, and there's no substitute for having these things (and knowing how to use them!). I've been hiking all of my life, and Mike (the other guy on this segment) has summited Mt. Rainier, the highest peak in the continental U.S., and he trained closely with guys who have climbing records on peaks like Mt. Everest (Dave Hahn, Pete Whittaker, Lou Whittaker, etc.). There's no substitute for good preparation!
Meanwhile, if anybody has any ideas for how to get Microsoft to sponsor a future trip, I'm all ears... 