November 25, 2014
You’ve heard it from us before – it’s always great to start an expedition with all climbers arriving as scheduled and with all their luggage. It’s simply huge. Mike Hamill’s team did just that – all in, all luggage in and everyone ready to go.
The guides worked with the team as a whole and individually to check and double check everyone’s gear yesterday. On a Vinson expedition, there’s the best and there’s all the rest. All climbers are packed and ready. Group gear and food is packed and ready to be loaded on the plane.
That first dinner, together as a team, is always exciting. Climbers are getting to know one another, sizing each other up and ratcheting up the excitement level. Like that night before the big game. A bit nervous but excited. This is, after all, a trip to Antarctica.
First Dinner (Mike Hamill)
Briefing this morning and then final touching on the packs and then nothing to do but wait for the call. As soon as the weather says yes, the first Vinson expedition for the 2014/15 will be flying South for almost 2000 miles, to the Union Glacier at approx. 80 S. latitude. If that isn’t cool, I don’t know what is. Maybe Thanksgiving dinner at Vinson Base Camp!
Phil Ershler