Vinson Massif Expedition: Top of the Ropes Carry
Another perfect weather-less day, a bunch more Antarctic climbing. The sun didn't show until 11:15 AM -as expected, but even knowing it would be cold in the hours before the sun didn't keep us from being a little shocked at the big chill. We put our crampons on and took our ice axes in hand for today's climb, happy that the sled-pulling approach is done and that the real climbing has begun. We took about five hours to carry a load of food and gear from camp to the top of the fixed ropes. The terrain was up continuously steep and firm snow. It was a pretty good workout and perfect from an acclimatization standpoint as we reached 11,800 feet. We descended carefully, working out the kinks in our fixed line technique, and were back in camp by 8:30 PM.
We seem to have the mountain all to ourselves now as the other teams turned out to be on schedules that put them well ahead of us. We'll likely take a rest day tomorrow to firm up the aforementioned acclimatization before our final assault on the heights.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
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Vinson Massif Expedition: Team #2 Readies for Flight
December 4, 2013
Comments (4)
Ya falta poco!!!! Ánimo !!!
Posted by: Eva Lecea on
Larry…Yet still another adventure of a lifetime…You have been busy since Jan 2012…Do your Aconcagua team proud my man…Godspeed…Waltero
Posted by: walter glover on
Those three red tents look so small in that grand landscape. Onward!
Posted by: Ann English on
Ice axes, crampons—sounds like too much fun to me. Climb on.
Posted by: Mary on