Recently, he visited an elementary school in Newport Beach, Calif., and told the kids there about Everest.

He also still works part-time as a consultant, between workouts and hanging out with his 14 grandkids.

But Burke is planning other adventures. He's talking about a "Grand Slam," where he'd summit the highest mountain on each continent and trek to the North and South poles on skis while pulling a sled. He's also considering a traverse climb of Everest, in which he'd ascend from the south side in Nepal and descend the north side, into Tibet. Or maybe he'll hike the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. Or climb the highest mountain in each state in the United States.

"I just find it exhilarating and refreshing and cathartic to be in the mountains," Burke says.

"I think the lesson that comes out of my experience is whatever your dream may be, go for it."