...Awaiting the Planes...
Well the team have been rewarded for their summit with just a little extra time on the ice... they are currently playing a bit of a waiting game for the clouds to part at Vinson Base Camp with the whole team down safe and sound.
They are now enjoying the abundant hot chocolate and awaiting their boarding call! The clouds are just a little too thick to land the Twin Otters currently but with better weather on the horizon, they'll hopefully be back in Chile before long...
Cheers
CTSS Team
...100% on top of Vinson...
It's always such a joy to report a successful team summit where everybody achieves their goal together - congratulations to all our Vinson team who tagged the top today!
The team summited in clear but cold weather and are now safely snuggled back in at High Camp where they are having a hot bite to eat. They will get some well deserved rest tonight and then drop back down to Base Camp tomorrow and hopefully bounce straight onto the Twin Otters back to Union Glacier and onward to Chile from there.
We passed on your well wishes, and everyone is in great spirits. Thanks for following along.
A super strong team and a summit to be proud of.
Cheers
CTSS
...Happy at High Camp...
A very quick update today to let you know that our Vinson team are currently at High Camp.
They collectively decided to take a rest day today to regain their energy levels and strength and enjoy the perfect weather and they will push for the summit tomorrow...
Stay tuned..
...High Camp...
They're a speedy bunch this team! Moving strongly, our Vinson team has taken advantage of the fair weather and made a push to High Camp. Well done! What a feat.
Tomorrow they're likely to take a rest day but if they're all feeling super sprightly in the morning they may just go for the summit!
Stay tuned...
...At Low Camp...
**QUICK UPDATE - The team are now all in at Low Camp. Everyone doing well**
___________________________
Great news, the clouds have parted allowing the Twin Otters in and out with the teams successfully switching places -
The Jones' returning to Union Glacier to begin their homeward journey and our main team arriving at Vinson Base Camp
They headed out of camp this morning in perfect weather and will be arriving at Low Camp any time now. I bet they are excited to get the sleds rolling and the legs moving.
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Sitting Pretty...
Not much to report today as unfortunately we're in exactly the same position as this time yesterday with no planes in the air. The clouds are still hanging low over Vinson Base Camp meaning the Jones' are still waiting to get back to Union Glacier and the Team still waiting to fly in.
Not to worry though, there's plenty of food and temperate, relatively warm weather. Good time to catch up on a few pages of a book or three!
We'll keep you updated when they're on the move...
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Weather Holds at VBC...
Mike just called in from Vinson Base Camp with an update for us, they are on weather hold waiting for enough clear sky to get the Twin Otters from Union Glacier out to Vinson and do a team switch over with the Jones' heading out back to the hot showers and the Ilyushin and onwards to Chile and the Main Team flying in to start their climb.
There is a high pressure system due so they should get clear weather to fly in the next day or two.
Everyone in great spirits and finding ways to entertain themselves in the stunning landscape of Antartica - after all they have plenty of daylight hours to fill!
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Bird in the Sky...
Well our Vinson team and Guide Josh Tapp are getting a quick head start flying down onto the ice today. They will land on the blue ice runway at Union Glacier and then hopefully out to Vinson Base Camp on the Twin Otters on skis.
Mike and the Jones' are still at Vinson BC as the weather was a little cloudy to get the planes in so they're sitting pretty and enjoying the spectacular remoteness!
Looking forward to the switch as the Jones' farwell the icy continent and the Team arrives ready to climb.
Best wishes,
CTSS Team
...Antarctic Updates...
The Jones' are safely back at BC making the tough decision to abandon the summit this time given the weather and play it conservatively and use the clear day yesterday to come safely down to Vinson Base Camp... They've had an amazing adventure and are in high spirits. Tomorrow they are likely to fly out on the Twin Otters back to the hot showers at Union Glacier and back to Chile from there.
Meanwhile our Team Climbers have arrived in Punta Arenas, they've done their gear checks and will be checking their bags in to the flight service in the morning, ready for a flight possibly tomorrow down onto the ice. A few of the crew went and checked out Patagonia today and had a great time.
Best wishes,
CTSS Team
...Holding at High Camp...
Well the coldest, driest, windiest place on earth has certainly dished up just that - cold, windy weather for our team at High Camp on Vinson.
Unfortunately the wind stopped their summit attempt today, they climbed 2/3rds of the way up but gusts of 65kph had them err on the side of safety and turn around.
They retreated and are back at High Camp now to regroup and will take a rest day tomorrow to decide whether to push up or leave the mountain for another time.
All safe and well and stoked to hear from Tina that the Seahawks won.
Cheers
CTSS Team.
