...Orizaba Summit...
Hi Everyone,
Very pleased to let you know that the team are back down safe and sound in Tlachichuca this evening after everyone enjoyed a great summit in perfect weather.
Their day started early at 4am and was a pretty windy, cold start but turned into perfect weather for them on top. Mike said the route was in the best condition he'd ever seen it.
They've had a great meal at the Servimont compound to celebrate, their first hot shower after being on the mountain for several days and are now wrapped up in bed to get a well deserved sleep before heading to Mexico city early tomorrow for their flights home.
A great trip, congratulations to the entire team,
Cheers
Caroline
...Ready for Orizaba Summit...
Hi Everyone,
The team just checked in from High Camp on Orizaba where the sun is just setting and they're settling down for a short night ahead of their summit bid tomorrow.
They'll be up at 4 am to start climbing and while it's fairly windy up there for them right now, we are hoping it blows itself out overnight and quietens down tomorrow. The snow coverage is good so it should be nice climbing. About -5 degrees with them currently
After they hit the summit, they'll drop back down to High Camp, pack up the tents, and come all the way down to the hut at the base before heading back to the regional hotel for a celebratory dinner and a well-earned beverage (or two)
The next morning it will be onward to Mexico city and their respective flights home.
Fingers crossed for a wonderful summit day tomorrow.
Cheers
Caroline
...Orizaba Acclimatization...
Hi everyone,
Great news, our Mexico climbing team have completed their acclimatization on Iztaccihuatl and today have travelled up to the mountain hut on Orizaba to begin their climb. It's a nice bumpy road so 4WD enthusiasts eat your heart out!
They're certainly having a fun adventure and in great spirits. Don't worry, it's not all rough bumpy travelling, last night they were eating fresh authentic guacamole and before that, they were staying in some pretty plush accommodation in Mexico City. To be honest, I'd say they'll be looking forward to getting some sweat on and strapping on the crampons.
Conditions are great, there is plenty of snow coverage and they've had perfect weather.
Tomorrow they will carry up to High Camp, and then move up the following day.
Carne Tacos on the menu for dinner. Yum.
The mountain you see in the photos is: Popocatepetl, an active volcano whose Aztec name means "Smoking Mountain." It's a massive stratovolcano, which towers more than 3200 m above the Valley of Mexico.
Cheers, Caroline
CTSS Team.
...Orizaba Underway...
Orizaba 2019 is underway! The team has arrived to Mexico City and we had a great day touring the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan. These Aztec Pyramids are absolutely stunning and it's amazing to finally see them in person. It was like going back in time.
Tomorrow we say goodbye to our 5 star accommodations and it's on to Ixta to acclimatize above the Paso de Cortez before descending down to the small town of Amecameca for the night. If we're lucky we'll get to see the still-active Popo billowing smoke.
All the best from Mexico.
Mike Hamill
-CTSS Owner
Take a quick look at the weavers in action...
...INCOMING...
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
...Hot Shower Heaven...
Good morning everyone,
Do I have some good news for you... It seems we have some positive movement from the South, our flight partners were able to land a plane into Vinson Base Camp today and fly our adventurers back to Union Glacier where they've been having some incredibly well deserved (slightly overdue) hot showers... oh the simple things in life.
Now at Union Glacier, they will unwind with some great fresh food and await their flight back to Chile on the ilyushin.
Here's 'Cheers' to being one major step closer to seeing them soon, and I believe congratulations is in order for all, for the patience and understanding.
Best wishes,
Caroline
...Watching & Waiting...
Adventure: it can be a roller coaster of emotions, not only for those partaking but also for all of us at home supporting.
Every day, like you, I wake up hoping for great news but sadly, it's much the same as the team still playing the waiting game at Vinson Base Camp. They are alongside a number of other teams waiting (Although a flight did make it out yesterday which is a great sign, unfortunately, it wasn't our team but they'll be next in line)
If you are feeling a bit worried at home please take comfort knowing:
- Everyone down there is doing everything they can to get our team on their way home safely but they won't take unnecessary risks to do that and wouldn't put anyone in unnecessary danger just to expedite the process.
- There is adequate food, resources and medical supplies in camp (beyond our own contingencies) through our logistics partner that our team have access to and will be utilising.
- There is a 24hour watch on and two planes on standby ready to go
- There is better weather forecast in coming days so we should get them out of Vinson Base Camp and back to Union Glacier soon.
(To do that the weather needs to be good, with clear visibility at both places)
- These situations, while unlucky, have happened before and both the CTSS guides, Mike and Jeremiah and the team at ALE are familiar with how to cope and manage them.
Once the team get to Union Glacier, they may need to wait for a flight to Chile, but they will have access to hot showers, amazing facilities and some good food!
Please know that this isn't a rescue situation, everyone is safe, it's just a massive patience challenge for us all.
If you do feel concerned, I understand and encourage you to reach out to me as your first point of contact, please don't hesitate. I am on the email every day: info[at]climbingthesevensummits.com
Cheers
Caroline
...White Out Christmas...
Well, it's the evening of Christmas Day down in Antarctica for our Vinson team, and I think it's safe to say at this point, they are a bit sick of the colour white and would rather some blue skies to celebrate.
Unfortunately, I don't have better news for you yet, it's a whiteout down there at Base Camp currently, so there will be no flying again today. The forecast does look good between the 26th - 29th, so let's hope I can update you all soon with some new, (& better) news.
Mike did say the team were holding up extremely well considering and had displayed some serious mental strength and patience in what has been a trying delay, especially over the holiday period. They all have supplies and fuel but I think they'll be swapping books and magazines around by now with so much time relegated to waiting in their tents.
I'll keep you updated and feel free to email me if you would like to info[at]climbingthesevensummits.com - I'll be here all holidays and on standby waiting for the phone to ring so I can pass on the good news to you all.
Here's to that saying 'distance makes the heart grow fonder'
Cheers
Caroline (CTSS Team)
It’s looking like a White Christmas
While the world is tracking Santa's flight path from the North Pole, the flight we are really hoping for - from Vinson Base Camp to Union Glacier and then to Chile still hasn't happened yet. I'm sorry.
Unfortunately our intrepid adventurers are still stuck down in Antarctica awaiting that very illusive break in the weather.
There was a gentle breeze at Vinson Base Camp today however which could push the fog away and there are two planes on dedicated standby 24hrs with constant monitoring to be able to scoop them up at the first opportunity. Rest assured they are well fed and warm (it's a balmy -10 today apparently!) to keep entertained, they'll be reading, socialising with the other teams (who are also in the same waiting game) and hopefully someone brought a pack of cards)
They'll be as sad as we are not to be around our tables tonight but it's looking to be a very white Christmas for them and a continued test of patience for us all.
I know that this is dragging out beyond what any of us expected but hang in there and save a little Christmas ham and cheer for them.
If Christmas has arrived for you already, as it has for me down in Sydney, we are wishing you all a Merry Merry Christmas and an amazing 2019.
Cheers Caroline
(CTSS Team)
PS here's a photo of our team from before, I can imagine they might look a little more rugged by now!
...Fogged in...
A quick update today, unfortunately, there are still no flights getting in or out of Vinson Base Camp or Union Glacier, as heavy fog has settled in at both places.
The team and the flight company are on 24-hour watch for a window and they'll be on the first flight out of Antarctica when flights resume and it is safe enough to fly.
Everyone is doing everything they can to get them out, and while frustrating, everyone on the ice is being really patient and staying in a remarkably positive frame of mind given the frustration of the endless waiting. They're eating well and socialising with the other teams and keeping themselves entertained continually renovating camp. They'll have built the Taj Mahal in ice blocks by now!
Again, I'm sorry for more bad news, let's hope the skies clear as a Christmas wish for all of us.
Feel free to email me if you need to,
Cheers Caroline (CTSS Team)