Vinson Team On Their Way to the Ice

November 27, 2017

It’s always summer somewhere in the world.  That even includes Antarctica.  The Austral summer has started and that means the sun is now above the horizon 24 hours a day in Antarctica.  IMG’s first Vinson expedition for the 2017/18 season is being led by IMG Senior Guide, Justin Merle, and assisted by IMG Senior Guide, Emily Johnston, MD.  If that isn’t a super guide combination, I don’t know what is.  They met their climbing team in Punta Arenas, Chile the day after Thanksgiving.  Food shopping, packing, gear checks, getting over jet lag, orientation meetings, getting all the gear to the airplane and just an amazing amount of excitement kept everyone busy for the next couple of days.  I received news from Justin that they were headed for the airport the morning of the 26^th and we’ll next hear from them from the Ice.  Isn’t it amazing when you can fly to Antarctica exactly on schedule?

Justin, Emily and team will touch base via sat phone when they can.  This is the first expedition of the season to Vinson.  Since IMG’s first trip to Vinson in 1988, we’ve always found this first trip to be extra exciting.  It’s cold but it’s Antarctica and to be expected.

Phil Ershler