Trip Reports

Vinson Massif - 2 to 20 Dec '05

Written by Leader Adele Pennington, January 2006

Antarctica’s weather was proving to be taking its toll as the Vinson 2 team set off from the UK on the 2nd December with the knowledge that Vinson 1 team led by David Hamilton were still in Punta Arenas, patiently waiting for their flight to Patriot hills. On the 3rd December David Hamilton’s team left on their long awaited Illyushin flight to Patriot hills. The Vinson 2 team had no such wait and were swiftly rushed to the airport to board the Illyushin hours after arriving in Chile. Four hours later the team members looked at each other with anxious glances as the mighty plane slowly came to a stand still on the naturally formed 2km ice run way. The doors dropped and the team gingerly made their first steps on the ice. Wow! was the only word spoken as the team, transfixed by the scenery, walked slowly to the camp at Patriot hills.

A welcome meal from ALE who run all operations on the ice was gladly received before the team set up camp. Thanks to the Vinson 1 team, there was little digging to be done and they were soon settled for their first night on the ice. As the winds rose and the sun (but not daylight) disappeared, the temperatures plummeted to give them their first taste of what was to come. The following day all the Vinson climbers, anxious to take their flight onward to Vinson base camp, were informed that snow and wind meant that the Twin Otters would not be flying.

The next day the news was good and the Vinson 2 team set off for the flight of a lifetime to Vinson base camp. After an hour, the Twin Otter landed and the team bundled out to receive their briefing from the base camp manager and to pick up their fuel and sledges. After a few hours each member had customised their sledges ready for pulling and some had even named them.

The weather, settled at this point in time, had allowed the Vinson 1 team to establish themselves at Camp 1 and the Vinson 2 team made their way to camp 1 to join the Vinson 1 team who had carried their loads to high camp and returned to camp 1. With the good weather still holding both teams were excited about their ascent and enjoyed catching up on the events of the past week. Clear skies and settled weather saw several parties load their sledges and move off to attempt to move through to high camp the following day. An attempt it was, as the wind was sneaking around the corner and after stashing equipment at the bottom of the headwall most parties quickly returned to the shelter of camp 1. Within a few hours the wind started to batter the tents and everyone lay snuggled in their sleeping bags listening to the storm. As time went by the weather deteriorated and the snow walls around the tents had to be rebuilt and the guys tightened. The next two days seemed to disappear in a midst of basic activities and sleep as the storm continued to hammer the tents in the camp. As the storm subsided and with only one broken porch pole the Jagged globe team felt content with their situation and began to dig out their tents and re-establish normal life. Due to this unexpected 3-day delay and as the weather was still not good enough to move on, the teams reorganised their food stashes with a trip to the head wall and a day return visit to base camp. On 14 December, 7 days after arriving at Camp 1 the Jagged Globe teams made their way to high camp. A long hard day followed by several hours of digging saw both teams tired but the with excellent weather the decision was made to go for the summit the following morning.

At 9.00am on the 15th December both the Jagged Globe teams started their ascent of the highest mountain in Antarctica. The pure pleasure of having weathered the storm and now to be on their way was exhilarating. Deciding to take the traverse of Vinson in hand, the group enjoyed the views and took every opportunity to photograph this magical day. At 4.10pm, five Jagged Globe climbers and two leaders stood on the top of Antarctica and admired the views. After half an hour they left the summit and completed the traverse of Vinson to return to high camp. Tired but very happy the teams were soon settled into their bags before the sun went down. Luckily the weather held for the next three days to see the teams return to base camp, Patriot hills and on to Punta Arenas.

Congratulations to all the team members who had a complete Antarctica experience and despite all the delays and stormbound days, maintained their sense of humour to be rewarded with a perfect summit day.

Adele Pennington, Expedition Leader « Previous report | Next report »

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