November 26, 2011

Summit ridge (Photo: Phil Ershler)

Mike Hamill call in via satellite phone on the afternoon of November 25 to report that the team had moved to high camp on Vinson – approx. 13,000 ft.  Knock on wood – the entire team did a great job and the weather remained great.  It’s no small thing to have all 7 of our members doing so well.  Mike reported calm conditions at high camp.  It’s still darn cold at this time of year but not having to fight wind is huge.

Today may well be summit day.  All depends on the weather.  It can be cold but it just can’t be too windy.  Chances for frostbite are much greater if the wind is blowing hard.  We won’t know until late today but check in with the IMG blog tomorrow for news.

Phil Ershler

November 24, 2011

What rest days are for. (Photo: Phil Ershler)

Mike Hamill, Chris Meder and the team called in today from C1 to wish all their friends and family a very happy Thanksgiving.

Best of all is that today’s a rest day after having made a hugely successful carry yesterday to the top of the 4000 linear feet of fixed rope and then up to high camp.  That’s huge.  Gear is in place and team is now enjoying a rest day in absolutely perfect weather.  Not a cloud in the sky.

Now they wait until the forecast and their experience and their guts tell them it’s time to move up.  Maybe tomorrow, maybe the next day but they’re exactly where they should be at this point in the expedition.

All’s as good as it gets.  Happy Thanksgiving.

Phil Ershler

November 22, 2011

Sue's Pyramid (Photo: Phil Ershler)

Spoke with Mike Hamill and our Vinson crew on the afternoon of the 22^nd.  They’ve pulled into C1, have walls built and tents up.  And weather couldn’t be better.

Plan is to carry to high camp tomorrow and come back to C1 for the night.  Forecast is good for tomorrow and then winds may be increasing.  The team couldn’t be in a better position.  Get totally into position tomorrow and then be patient and pick the best shot to go high.  Just where they want to be.

To top it off, everyone’s feeling healthy and strong.

Phil Ershler

November 21, 2011

Heading for C1 (Photo: Phil Ershler)

Once they started flying, they kept on flying.

Mike Hamill reported that the team made it to Vinson base camp on the 20^th, got a good camp established and made a carry on the 21^st to C1 at around 10,000 ft.  Nice.  They’ll be doing a lot of wall building when they make the move to C1 as it has a tendency to get a bit breezy there and they’ll be using the camp for at least 3 nights.

Best to get it done right.

Phil Ershler

November 20, 2011

IL 76 on the Ice in Antarctica (Photo: Phil Ershler)

Bad news is that the team was delayed 3 days before they were able to fly onto the Ice.  Good news is that they made it in Saturday evening and that the delay won’t affect their climb.  They’re off and running!!

IMG guides, Mike Hamill and Chris Meder and our team of 7 climbers were excited to board the IL 76 and get strapped in for the 4 hour flight to the Union Glacier at close to 80 degrees south latitude.  The next flight leg is about an hour hop in a Twin Otter to get to Vinson base camp on the Branscomb Glacier at about 7000 ft.  Mike will call once they arrive, get camp established and are settled in.

With some expeditions, getting there is the toughest part.  Not that climbing Vinson is easy but we have some control over how that goes.  It’s the flying that’s always the question mark.  Weather, visibility, snow conditions on the runway – all have to align to make a safe flight possible.  Now, it’s up to the team.  Still need a bit of help with the weather from mother nature but now it’s game time.

Phil Ershler