November 26, 2019
Aboard the IL76 (Justin Merle)
It’s always summer somewhere. Seems a bit odd to say that about Antarctica but it’s the truth. The Austral summer has begun and so has the Vinson climbing season . AND, right on schedule. IMG’s first team for the season arrived in Punta on the 24th, prepped and organized on the 25th, and began flights to the Ice this morning – 26 November. First leg is the flight on a 1970’s vintage Russian cargo jet – the IL76. This 4 hour flight takes the team to about 80 degree S, a place called the Union Glacier. If they get lucky, they won’t be at the Union Glacier long before boarding a twin-engine Otter and flying about another hour over to Vinson base camp.
IMG Senior Guide, Justin Merle, is at the lead of this team and will keep us posted when he can. Thanksgiving will be on the Ice but what a unique way to spend the holiday. Getting TO the Ice is the first big hurdle and it looks like that’s going to happen on schedule.
Phil Ershler