Day. As you would expect it is a very white Christmas here at Vinson Base
Camp. I remember when I was a kid growing up in Cleburne, Texas I used to
pray for a snow storm on Christmas eve. On Christmas eve laying in bed as a
child I could struggle to fall asleep anxiously curious not only about what
Santa might bring, but wondering whether or not the brown Texas ground would
be covered in a blanket of white when I arose. I laid in my sleeping bag
last night. I thought about my friends and family. I thought about all the
things I was thankful for in life. Then I found myself unable to fall
asleep. Not because I was anticipating presents being purged from under
neither a twinkling tree, but praying that it would not snow! I know it
seems strange, but for as excited I would get for new fallen snow back in
Cleburne, I was equally hopeful that it would be sunny when I unzipped my
tent this morning. Low and behold it was! I awoke at 7am to a cloudless
sky. After days and days of cloud, fog, and wind, finally a clear blue
morning. COLD as all get out, but clear none the less. I had descended
from High Camp 3 days ago attempting to climb Mt. Shinn. A peak just to the
west of Vinson Massif, Mt Shinn provides an excellently steep alternative to
the moderate slopes of the massif. However on our summit day we awoke to
ominous clouds and temperamental winds. We decided after breakfast, as the
cloud bore down on high camp, that we would descend and work on the lower
mountain. Since then we have been here at VBC watching after clients,
playing backgammon, and eating loads of food. Last night we tucked the
clients in after a marathon 5 hour monopoly game. You could only see 100
meters out of camp, so there was no skiing or walking around to be done.
Just hanging out. This morning we started reporting weather observations at
9.30am, but much like last year, there has been a delay in launching any
planes to VBC. Similarly to last season on this day, although the weather
was pristine this morning, it is slowly deteriorating. We will see what the
day presents, but if the weather clears, we will hopefully fly to Patriot
Hills today. One step closer to Punta Arenas, and then onto Texas. In fact
I need to go do a weather observations right now!! Merry Christmas, stay
warm, and enjoy each other. I miss you guys!
Love
Chris
Vinson Base Camp
Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions
vinson.base@antarctic-logistics.com
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1 comment:
we miss and love you brother!
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