Here they come…
Get ready to hear some stories over a nice glass of wine, our Antarctic adventurers are incoming!
The plane is in the air from Chile right now to go and collect them from Union Glacier, Antarctica and bring them back to Punta Arenas where they will land mid-morning (their time) tomorrow (the 29th)
I’d say they’re all beyond ready to thaw out, do some laundry, (I envisage duffel bags with those green cartoon vapours wafting out upon opening!) put on fresh clothes, (then share some hugs) eat their favourite foods and open the dusty Christmas presents under the tree.
Everyone in the office is in overdrive to get them booked onto respective flights back home as soon as possible (if they did their travel arrangements with our agent) She’s on hand if anyone needs any help, I can put you in touch.
Before I sign off, I’d like to acknowledge that yes, this trip has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster with the terrible weather and the massive delays, but sometimes the best and most challenging adventures are the toughest.
That’s the definition of adventure, isn’t it? It’s the unpredictability of it and the sheer testing nature of it, that shapes us and helps us grow as people. It’s those hard moments that we reminisce about the most later on.
I always think of this as the ‘Perfect Paradox’ of an adventurous life. While you are in the midst of it, you are inevitably hating it, you’re cold, tired, hungry and thinking to yourself why am I doing this?!? I’d give anything to be at home curled on a couch eating snacks and watching Netflix. But then in a heartbeat, your challenge is over, you’ve completed your goal and you’re back to your routine.
Yes, upon your return you are more appreciative for the creature comforts of home but you quickly find yourself wishing you were out there in the mountains again looking back on the rugged times, and you’ll hear yourself saying “That was so much fun!!”
It’s a weird dichotomy none of us can explain but it is true, and seemingly addictive.
From our point of view at CTSS, yes we’re prepared for contingencies like the delays experienced on this trip in terms of supplies etc and our Guides are all qualified and have vast experience, but really that’s the background stuff, the credit for dealing with the tough situations on the mountain, sits squarely with the men and women who grabbed that challenge by the horns and tackled it with the mental fortitude and positivity shown by the whole team on this trip.
Not to mention their loved ones, (Go us!) in the background who’ve been cheering them on with unwavering support and patience.
Here’s to the New Year, full of lofty summits and beautiful bluebird days, (let’s just hope the next adventure runs a bit closer to schedule eh?!)
Cheers, and best wishes,
Caroline
