MT VINSON, ANTARCTICA
Mt Vinson itinerary
This is the last frontier where there is no end to the horizon.
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Punta Arena, on the Strait of Magellan, our last stop before the big jump. |
The team: Jean, Monica and Edgar, from left to right. |
The aviation aspect of this expedition is very
exciting, first flying thousands of km. to Patriot hills with the Russian plane "Illouchine A-76"
then continuing to Vinson base camp with the "Sea Otter". Other planes use are DC-3 and Cessna.
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The front of the A-76 with it's great observatory |
Loading all goods in the back |
It will take this monster 2 km. to land on ice at Patriot Hills, on wheels |
The 9 members Russian crew work the plane. |
Once on the ice it is time to unload |
The DC-3 landing on skis at Patriot Hills |
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After a 4 hours flight to Patriot Hills and a transfer
of 1 hour to Mt Vinson base camp with the Sea Otter, the team is ready to climb.
It has been a long wait for the right weather, we were at the end of the season and there
is no time to waste.
Mt Vinson Itinerary
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Mt. Vinson - The Climb
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From base camp to camp 2 . I decided to skip camp 1 and move directly to camp 2
taking advantage of the beautiful weather, even if it meant heavier sled and pack.
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From camp 2, a hard day up the head wall. Fortunately the weather is good and progress goes well.
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Camp 3. Minus 30 degrees without wind-chill |
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January 21, 2002, summit day. After 8 hours of effort with an estimated temperature of
minus 40 degrees, we reached the summit
Mt Vinson Itinerary
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