Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions
vinson.base@antarctic-logistics.com
Please include the recipient's name in the subject heading.
All emails must be plain text only, less than 100kb and contain no
attachments.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vinson Base Camp [mailto:vinson.base@antarctic-logistics.com]
Sent: Friday, November 27, 2009 1:42 PM
To: 'bigmountaindreams@blogspot.com'; 'Nick Lewis'; 'Manager.Patriots'
Subject: The Mountain So Far
Hello from Vinson Base Camp
The last week has been very busy here on Vinson Massif. The start-up crew,
Darren, Namgya, Pachi, and I arrived on November 20. The Twin Otter pilots
did an amazing job landing the plane in poor visibility, no contrast, and
very little horizon to go off of. We all sprung into action as soon as the
Otter's doors were opened. The pilots jumped in and helped us with the
laborious task of digging out the Weather-haven and setting up our tents.
The Weather-haven was in great condition compared to last year. The crew
that put things away at the end of last season did an amazing job of leaving
things in an organized fashion. Although there had been some snow
deposition over the winter, the weather-haven was only half covered and our
second storage tent had very little coverage. We worked until 2 a.m. and
got much accomplished. The pilots stayed the night here at VBC as
conditions were too difficult to fly.
The following morning we all set to work, organizing and cleaning. At 3
p.m. the pilots were called back to Patriot Hills to transport a south pole
expedition to their starting point. For the next two days we worked on
getting camp put together. We established VHF/HF communication, erecting
two small comms antennas/towers. We also installed our solar panels and
began to charge batteries within the tent. The weather had been sub-par the
entire time, minus some sun shine one afternoon, in which we took the
opportunity to ski. The snow was better that I had ever seen it.
On the 24th the weather still had not cleared, but we were all anxious to
get going on the mountain, so the four of us set up hill in a white out. We
navigated via GPS until just before half camp, when we punched through the
heavy cloud layer to clear skies above. We got our first view of the summit
this season. We had placed wands on the lower route, almost to half camp,
but had run out of wands to mark the plateau from half camp to low camp.
After a brief rest at half camp we cruised on to low camp. The very large
crevasses that lie in between the two camps were filled in and solid. With
good visibility we put in a nice route all the way into half camp. Once we
arrived we began the process of digging out the cache that had been left
there. Again the break-down crew had left the cache organized and finding
our kit was relatively easy. And with a calm and cold evening ahead we set
up tents and cooked dinner in our tent vestibules. The following morning we
had intended to move up to high camp, but winds pounded the ridge above
sending plumes of snow over the knife edge ridge an into the thin air above.
We decided to take the opportunity to build low camp. Namgya snuffed out a
good quarry for snow blocks and the group spent the entire day building snow
walls to protect our tents and to protect the toilet. Digging and moving
heavy blocks all day left us tired and we all crawled into our sleeping bags
for some much needed rest.
The morning of the 25th we awoke to find the winds on the ridge still
present, but less threatening than the day. We all decided to start working
on establishing the 1200 meters of fixed line up the prominent ridge above
low camp that eventually leads to high camp. Our goal was to have two
parties, one team working on the line, Pachi and I, and the other, Darren
and Namgya travel on to high camp putting in the route and digging out our
cache. However once Darren and Namgya reached the upper ridge the winds
increased and forced a retreat back onto the lines. The four of us dug up
bags full of rope and tossed them down in 200m sections. The bags were full
of snow and ice, but the ropes were in immaculate condition. We unearthed
each anchor from their hibernation, to our surprise there had been very
little ablation and the Dyneema slings put in last season were in perfect
condition. We each took turnes on various sections of lines. We placed
intermediate pickets and ran lines out to lunch ledge (a rest spot, half way
up the route). Once the lines were intact we continued back to low camp as
the night became crisp and cold. Our work day ended around 11 p.m..
November 26 we all awoke to do a scheduled communication with Patriot Hills.
The wind had increased up high and sounded like a freight train rapidly
descending upon us. Although we were eager to move up higher the winds
would not allow. Rather than go up high an risk an epic we decided to
descend to VBC and get some additional in camp tasks finished. The way down
to VBC was fast but we did take the time to put in wand markers, that we had
stolen from low camp, and marked the route to half camp. The weather closed
in above us however the weather down at VBC was as it should be, sunny and
calm. The first clients that were intended to be here on the 27th have been
delayed in Punta Arenas. We are still unsure when they will arrive. Until
then we will continue to prepare camp, lay down runway markers, and put up
client tents in anticipation of their arrival.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed friends and family.
Miss you guys!
Over and out...
Chris
Vinson Base Camp
Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions
vinson.base@antarctic-logistics.com
Please include the recipient's name in the subject heading.
All emails must be plain text only, less than 100kb and contain no
attachments.
No comments:
Post a Comment