December 7, 2014

Twin Otter used for the flight from Vinson Base to Union Glacier (Rob Marshall)

The team left high camp this morning and made their way back to Vinson base camp.  Big push.  The weather was good enough that they were able to fly right away to camp at the Union Glacier.  This is where the big Russian jet, the IL76, will land to take them pack to Punta Arenas, Chile.  That flight is currently on ‘standby’.  Weather/winds/visibility need to be reasonable at both locations, and for long enough, to fly to the Ice and pick up the team.  Flight down is about 4 hours with around 2 hours to unload/reload at Union Glacier.  Best case scenario finds the team pack in Punta sometime on the 8^th.  But hey, no worries – they all summited, not a scratch, they’re off the mountain and back at Union Glacier and ALE (the flight service) is feeding them like kings (and queens).

Phil Ershler

December 6, 2014

Descending the summit ridge (Rob Marshall)

The call came in at 2:40 pm Pacific time on Saturday.  100% on the summit and all members back, without issues, to high camp.  Their patience paid off!  Cold (as always) and a bit breezy when they started out this morning.  However, winds lessened up high and they all stood on the summit with about a 15 mph breeze.  Good climbing conditions.  All members have returned safely to high camp.  One solid day tomorrow and the entire team will be at Vinson base camp, waiting to fly back to the Union Glacier and then onwards to Punta Arenas, Chile.

Congratulations to all!  IMG Senior Guides, Mike Hamill and Austin Shannon, said the group climbed smart and strong.  All 8 climbing team members should be very proud.

Phil Ershler

December 5, 2014

View from High Camp on a clear day. (Photo by Rob Marshall)

Just spoke with Mike Hamill.  He said ‘discretion was the better part of valor’ and stayed at high camp today.  The crew rested after a very long attempt yesterday and are set for an attempt in the morning.  Margins are narrow when climbing in Antarctica, always better to be safe rather than sorry.

Mike said the weather’s looking better and we’re all hoping tomorrow’s the day.

Phil Ershler

December 5, 2014

Close.

And that’s why they call them ‘forecasts’ and not ‘guarantees’.  The team took a serious shot yesterday but the weather worsened and closed them down.  Great effort but it was not to be.

The team returned to high camp and is now in a waiting pattern until they see that ‘weather window’ which will give them another shot at the summit.  Everyone’s well.  A bit bummed but ready to rally for the next attempt.

Stay tuned.

Phil Ershler

December 4, 2014

Panorama at High Camp showing Mt. Shinn on the right. (Photo by Rob Marshall)

Spoke with Mike last evening.  Remember, even though Vinson teams normally operate on Chile time, which is East Coast plus 2, it’s light 24 hours a day there and they can climb at any time.

All’s good with the team.  They made the big move yesterday to high camp, close to 13,000 ft.  Everyone’s doing well.  Forecast remains good so the group will likely take a summit shot today.  If weather permits, it’ll be a full day for the crew so we won’t likely be posting summit news until tomorrow morning.  Keep your fingers crossed and wish everyone luck.

Phil Ershler

December 3, 2014

Fixed ropes on vinson. (Photo by Rob Marshall)

Satellite phones are great.  Mike Hamill called last evening to let us know the team had a good day making a carry up the ‘fixed ropes’ towards high camp.  There is a long section of rope, anchored to the mountain, which is strung over a long section from C1 to C2.  You clip in with an ascender for safety.

Weather remains clear, calm and cold.  Forecast is still good.  The team may try to move up to C2 today.  Hard not to make use of such good weather when the team is doing well.  If they can move up, they’ll be in position to make a summit attempt at any time.

Phil Ershler

December 1, 2014

Looking up from C1

Mike Hamill just called to confirm that they moved into C1 today, at about 10,000 ft.  Everyone is doing well.  Forecast calls for clear, calm and cold for at least the next 3 days.  Oh yeah, it is Antarctica!

Plan is to make a carry up a long line of fixed ropes to high camp, C2, tomorrow.  The ropes are long – about 4,000 linear feet.  C2 is located just under 13,000 ft.  Getting a good carry into high camp is one of the most important days of the expedition.

Phil Ershler

November 26, 2014

Pre-trip briefing

Team left Punta, exactly on schedule, early this morning.  They boarded the IL 76 and are heading to the Ice.  Flight to Union Glacier will take about 4 hours.  If their luck continues, they might even be at Vinson base camp before day’s end.  Great start.  The team will definitely be spending Thanksgiving in the middle of Antarctica.

Phil Ershler