January 4, 2016
All IMG teams in the Southern Hemisphere were able to check in on Sunday, 3 Jan. Greg Vernovage called first from Camp 1 on Vinson Massif, Antarctica. The team had just completed an important carry to high camp (C2). That’s a tough day but people handled it well and everyone got back to C1 tired but totally ready to head back up and summit soon. Summits attempts are all about the weather. They need two days to get to the summit now so it will be interesting to hear if they were able to move to C2 today.
Ice pond on Aconcagua
On Aconcagua, Josh McDowell and crew had a good carry to C1 yesterday. Everyone stayed right together and performed well. The move to C1 is scheduled for today. The weather doesn’t have to be as good lower on the mountain to move so they’ll likely get up to C1 today without issues.
Mike Hamill and team stayed at C3 (high camp) on the 3rd. Winds were simply too high to risk a summit attempt. Their job is to stay patient and to stay ready. It’s cold and windy where they are and they’ll need the mountain to cooperate, even a bit, before they can make their attempt. They’ve worked hard and deserve a little good luck. Keeping our fingers crossed.
Phil Ershler