January 5, 20100

Heading for the Vinson summit via the ‘variation’ ridge.’ (Photo by Pat McCrann)

We spoke with team leader, Greg Vernovage, last evening.  He was calling from high camp on Vinson Massif.  All team members reached camp today in good style and in reasonably good weather.

They were just finishing up dinner and getting ready for their summit attempt.  Best of all is the forecast.  It’s holding good.  No way the group will take a rest day now.  When the fish are running, it’s time to go fishing.  The mountain is providing the opportunity and they’ve put themselves in position to take advantage.  When the sun hits the tents, they’ll be up, getting the stoves going for a hot drink and a bite to eat, closing up the tents, getting packs on and heading for the summit.  We’ll let you know, when we know, how it all turns out.

Game day!

Phil Ershler

January 4, 2011

Heading for the start of the fixed ropes to high camp. (Photo by Pat McCrann)

The group is heading to high camp today.  All members are healthy and doing well.  One good blister but that’s manageable.  Forecast remains good for the next three days.  The team really couldn’t be in a better position.  They won’t rest at high camp after this move.  Tomorrow morning, they’ll be on their way to the top.  Sun hits high camp a little before 8 am, their time.  Figure 2 hours to get up, dressed, fed and watered and then they’ll be walking.  Around 12 hours to round trip the thing from high camp.  Sun doesn’t go behind the mountains until well after midnight so they’ll likely have a bit of warmth when they return.

Phil Ershler

January 2, 2011

Greg Vernovage called in this evening.  All continues to go well.  The team has now carried to high camp, about 12,500 ft.  They are right on schedule.  Tomorrow will be a rest day at low camp, a bit under 10,000 ft.  Weather forecast remains good.  Team remains strong.  This is all very good news.

Phil Ershler

Looking down to low camp from high camp (Photo: Pat McCrann)

All aboard the IL 76 (Photo: Pat McCrann)

December 29, 2010

The team was out the hotel door at 5:30 this morning.  It takes about 3 hours to get everyone picked up, to the airport and through security and settled in on the IL76.  Then, it’s 4 hours in the air to the new ice runway at the Union Glacier.

The adventure begins.

Phil Ershler

December 28, 2010

IL 76 Russian Cargo Jet (Photo: Pat McCrann)

Nice to report that Greg Vernovage and team of 6 climbers has arrived in Punta and with all their gear.

Shopping is complete, packing is complete, their briefing is complete and they will be loading the big Russian cargo jet, an IL76, with gear this afternoon.  Plan is for a flight to the Ice the morning of the 29^th.  Forecast is promising.  That would put the team right on schedule.

When/if the calls comes tomorrow morning that the flight is a ‘go’, it’ll be a mad rush to grab that last shower and breakfast, dress, clear hotel bills and be ready for the pick up.  Got to love that.

Phil Ershler