January 15, 2020

Update time from the Southern Hemisphere, as everyone is in position to make some significant movement today. Antarctica is first – team is doing well.  It’s just fun when you have a strong, competent team. Jonathan called in yesterday that weather is looking good for a move to high camp today. Can’t confirm yet that they’re in camp but feel pretty good about that possibility.  Remember, Vinson time is Chile time, meaning they’re 5 hours later than Seattle AND the hours when they actually move on the climb differ day to day, depending on their location. It’s light 24 hours a day but the sun hides behind the different mountains at different times and no one wants to be climbing in the shade. It’s cold. Right now, their climbing hours are later in the day. Maybe we’ll get a call from Jonathan late today. Regardless, no issues so far.

Aconcagua – Nickel reports team hanging in and doing well. It’s getting tougher on Aconcagua as they’re getting higher. The team had a good carry to C2, over 18,000’ and may well be making their move to this new camp today. Big landmark for them.

We also have a report from Jay down in Ecuador. The team spent yesterday at the Cayambe hut doing a little training/review and a lot of acclimatizing. Weather looked fairly solid when they reported in yesterday so the plan was to climb today. Won’t likely be able to post news of their success until tomorrow but remember – no news is good news. Any way you cut it, 19,000’ is high so they have their work cut out for them. Wishing everyone the best.

Phil Ershler