Yesterday was a big push up to High Camp, and today the team is enjoying a rest day in camp. The goal today is to rest, relax, hydrate, and take in the beautiful view of the Branscomb Glacier. If the weather cooperates, the team plans to ascend the remaining 3,500 ft to the summit tomorrow.…
The team made the long, physically demanding ascent up to High Camp today. Everyone did great, but this is one of the hardest days of the entire expedition, and they are looking forward to a day of rest tomorrow. High Camp is a tough place, with a bit of shelter from the intense winds that…
The team took a rest and acclimatization day today, enjoying the amenities of Plaza Argentina, the Base Camp on the east side of Aconcagua. This is an important extra day of acclimatization before the crew launches up to Camp 1 tomorrow. Johnathan Called in two posts this afternoon, one with a nice description of the…
Nick Shepherd called in a post, which was unfortunately a bit garbled, due to the challenges of satellite phones in the mountains. The team took a rest day yesterday, allowing their bodies to acclimatize a bit from the big, 1000m climb up from the camp at Casa de Piedra. Today they awoke refresh and rested,…
Well, it sounds like a picture perfect day at the first camp on the team’s way up Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica. Ariana called in a very nice update from 10,000 feet on the Branscomb Glacier. The team carried loads a ways up above camp today, reviewing the skills and techniques they will…
The team had beautiful weather today for their move up to the Plaza Argentina base camp. It was a bit over 6 hours of trekking to reach what will be their home for the next several nights. At base camp we have a big dining tent with tables and chairs and a cook providing great…
Guide Jacob Schmitz called to report that the January 6th Vinson Team is on the ice! Jim, Chuck, and Ariana left Punta Arenas early this morning, flew to Union Glacier on a big Ilyushin cargo jet, unloaded, then hopped on a smaller airplane, a Twin Otter, that flew them to Vinson Base Camp. They’ve come…
I spoke to both Allen and Nick yesterday, and they reported that the team made good time to Casa Piedra, “stone house,” the team’s second approach camp. Nick mentioned that it was a particularly windy day, but everyone is doing great and feeling good. Today the team plans to depart Casa Piedra, cross the Vacas…
Jacob called a little bit ago to let us know that everyone is back at High Camp, safe and sound. The team will rest, hydrate, and refuel for the journey back to Vinson Base Camp. Again, great work, team! And another special congratulations, this time to climber Bill Cole, who has reached the summit of…
Our fourth and final Mount Vinson expedition of the season is assembling in Punta Arenas, Chile, finalizing their preparations for an attempt to climb the highest peak in Antarctica. Jim Holliday has made the long journey from Pittsburgh, PA. Ariana Myers and Chuck Nuzum are making their way from California. Our good friend Dan Elsberg…