Expedition Dispatch

December 4, 2012 – Making the Most of Low Camp

It’s Tuesday, December 4thand it’s time to move back up. We got a good weather report this morning; we’re still going to have predicted high winds on the big ridges above us here near the summit of Mt. Vinson, and even at Vinson High Camp. By that, I mean up to 25 knots, but the winds are diminishing from what we’ve seen in previous days. We still have those bright blue skies above us today, on Tuesday, as we start out from Low Camp. All the things are moving up. Vaughan and Todd, and I will probably be another hour packing before we’re ready to start towards the fixed lines. Yesterday was pretty good sunny weather here even though we had high winds up high above us. The various teams got together; there was a big yoga class at over 9,000ft, right up here on the Branscomb Glacier.

We had a bit of a costume party, and talent contest last night, after all the teams had dinner. So, we’re relaxing. We are acclimatized, you remember that? When we go up this time it’ll be very different than when we arrived at High Camp before. We spent three nights, more than 72 hours total at High Camp a few days ago and that was significant acclimatization. Our bodies have not lost that by staying down here at this elevation for a few nights. So, weather is a big factor but our spirits are high. We’re still going to have the patience necessary to wait for the right summit attempt but things are looking up. Maybe the next few days we’ll have big news for you about the summit of Mt. Vinson. Wally and Vaughan and Rob are signing out for now. We’ll post for you, new information every day.

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A view of fixed lines towards High Camp

Climbers in good spirits making their way up the fixed lines