Vinson Expedition Dispatch

November 29, 2010 – The Team Arrives at Vinson Base Camp

This is Wally Berg calling from Antarctica on behalf of John, Kate and Flat Stanley.

Less than 24 hours ago we finally took off and boarded the Russian Ilyushin flight from Punta Arenas to Union Glacier base camp. Right after breakfast in Punta Arenas we were told to join the Twin Otter pilots: Russell and Dusty. They are from the Calgary, Alberta area, and fly with Ken Borak Air in Canada. These guys came down in October and no one had been able to make it to Union Glacier until Monday. They made four flights in five days; John, Kate and I were on the last flight.

All of the crew and staff of ALE and the Ilyushin flight worked hard to get things underway and organized for us. We arrived and everything was set up.

We slept comfortably at the Union Glacier base camp last night. In my nine seasons of coming to Antarctica, this by far has been the smoothest trip. Kate made the comment “This trip was under-sold; she can’t believe how beautiful it is here and how big the operation is with all of the equipment and support.”

We are all very excited to be here. Conditions are very mild as Vinson is sits above us against a perfectly blue sky. It is calm and amazing here at base camp.

We will spend two nights in Vinson base camp organizing our gear, and trying it out as we play around on the glacier. After our two nights we will begin to climb higher.