Vinson Expedition Dispatch

November 29, 2010 – Reflecting on Our First 24 Hours

The feeling of being in the interior of Antarctica, now that we have spent our first full day, more than 24 hours on the glacier at Vinson base camp, is even more powerful and overwhelming than when we arrive. The more time you spend here the more it just sinks in what an incredible place you are living, and of course the perfect weather we have had helps with that positive feeling.

“Patience” was the word I talked about from our briefings back in Punta Arenas. Travelling to and having success climbing in Antarctica requires a great deal of patience. Another word I would like to mention today is “confidence”. I was talking not long ago about how confident Kate Gellert is. Here on the glacier we spent our day fixing our prusik loops, rigging our sleds to the climbing ropes, putting together our climbing outfit that includes an ice axe attached to our packs, and a system which allows us to self-rescue in the event of a crevasse incident. All of this stuff is a bit colorful and complicated but when you master it and tie that double fisherman’s knot to make the prusik loop perfectly, it leads to confidence, and that’s what I saw on Kate’s smile today.

Pachi is someone you will be hearing a lot about. She is one of the most remarkable and accomplished mountaineers in Antarctic’s history - especially as a young mountaineer she has an amazing legacy here. I met her in November of 2007 at the beginning of the season when she spent more than 60 days making first ascents and exploring unchartered basins here in the Ellsworth Mountains climbing with Damien Gildea for the Omega Foundation. Pachi continued some work that I had been doing in the 1990 and taking it much further. With her accomplishments as a young Chilean mountaineer, she has been an important part of climbing history in Antarctica. Pachi is also a wonderful guide and a very easy going person to spend time with in the mountains. She will be the fourth member of our team. Of course Flat head Stanley will be roped in and climbing with us as we head up higher in the days to come. Our team spirit is certainly high enough to tackle any challenges which may arise.