December 8, 2016

The hoped for flight connections all came to fruition.  Down to Vinson base, immediately over to Union Glacier and off to Punta Arenas shortly thereafter.  All happened without a hitch.  The crew had a final lunch this afternoon and are shortly heading in different directions home.

Congratulations, one more time, to everyone.  Greg Vernovage heads down with Team 2 right after Christmas, but Mike and crew got the season off to one heck of a start.

Phil Ershler

December 12, 2016

On the IL 76 soon

Sweet call just now from Mike Hamill.  Sometimes things just work out even better than we could anticipate.  So, Mike and crew summit yesterday and drop down all the way to low camp that evening.  This morning, they descend to Vinson base camp, repack and jump on the Twin Otter and fly to the Union Glacier camp.  The IL 76 is on its way to the Ice now and the team will be back in Punta late tonight/early tomorrow.  You couldn’t schedule it better with commercial flights!

All’s well in Antarctica.

Phil Ershler

December 7, 2016

Time To Head Home

Very exciting news from the Ice.  Mike called me late Tuesday to let me know the weather broke and the team was able to put in the ‘first tracks’ for the 2016-17 season to the summit of Vinson Massif.  Good weather and ‘relatively’ warm on the summit.  The team returned to C2, high camp, and then continued their descent this evening down to C1, low camp, approx. 10,000’.  It’s a short move on Wednesday to Vinson base camp and then we’ll see what’s possible regarding flights home.  Everyone’s tired, safe and happy.

A big congratulations is in order to Mike and all our team members.

Phil Ershler

December 5, 2016

Looking up towards the summit of Vinson

It’s been seriously windy at all camps on Vinson.  That was especially true of the last 6-8 hours.  Mike called at 4 pm, Seattle time, and relayed that it’s calming now and clearing and that tomorrow looks like a possible summit shot.  Signs say – yes.   The team is ready and in position so now we just need mother nature to do her part.

We’ll let you know.

Phil Ershler

Phil Ershler guiding on upper Vinson (photo: Jason Tanguay)

December 4, 2016

Guess that’s why they call them ‘forecasts’.  Weather didn’t want to cooperate yesterday.  Mike and team headed up, but it soon became obvious that discretion was the better part of valor.  They made a 180 degree turn and got back to get tucked in at high camp and wait.

‘Forecast’ calls for a break soon, so now it’s a matter of being patient and ready to go when the break comes.

Mike called in at 12 noon, Seattle time on Sunday.  No one is moving anywhere today.  Winds are high and snow is blowing.  The team is fine and dug in at high camp with plenty of food and fuel.  Forecasts still call for clearing soon.  Tomorrow would be just fine.

We’ll let you know when we know.

Phil Ershler

December 3, 2016

Mt. Shinn, Antarctica

Received an exciting call last evening from Mike Hamill and team from HIGH CAMP on Vinson.  Mike said the team performed well on this big move day.  That’s a big deal.  Weather was very good and the forecast now appears good for today.  If that holds true, the team should be making their summit attempt right now.  IMG’s team was and is the only group to make it to high camp yesterday.   There are a couple of ALE staff with them currently at high camp.  They are the first guided team to be making a summit attempt this season.

Wish them luck.  It’s game time.

Phil Ershler