January 2, 2017
Just off the sat phone with Greg Vernovage from C1 on Vinson Massif. They snuck in a carry yesterday, just the fixed ropes and cached just short of high camp. Forecast was calling for higher winds yesterday and today that don’t seem to be developing. Greg and crew are taking a day off today at C1 and will be ready to move to high camp tomorrow, winds permitting. They’re feeling quite strong and ready to push to the summit as soon as ‘signs say yes’.
Antarctic scenery near C1 (photo: Phil Ershler)
Indication is for milder temps (by Antarctica standards) for the next couple of days, so we’re crossing fingers. Bottom line: all’s good with the crew and they now just need two reasonable weather days to take a shot at the summit. Can’t ask for a lot more than that.
Phil Ershler