Vinson Massif: Hahn & Team Go from High Camp to Union Glacier
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
And just like that... everything started moving again. The storm ended exactly on schedule. By 6:30 AM High Camp was calm and sunny and we started brewing up. We packed and dug our gear out of the snow. We shook pounds of ice and frost out of the tents before stuffing them in their sacks. With crampons on one last time, we departed at 10 AM. After seeing virtually nothing for days, the scenery today was welcome and spectacular. We made good time down the fixed ropes in the morning shadow. Lindsay led the charge, pulling the lines free of the wind slabbed snow for a good chunk of the route. At Low Camp, we re-tooled and set up for hauling sleds. No more crampons and ice axes, it was time to switch back to ski poles. By this point we’d been made aware that there were seats on an airplane out of Vinson Base just for us... provided that we got our tails down there in time. We had the lower mountain pretty much to ourselves for the next few hours of trudging through the frozen beauty of the Branscomb Glacier. There was just time enough on reaching base to hastily organize gear before the Twin Otter floated in to a perfect landing. We said our goodbyes to the mountain and the ALE staff at Vinson Base Camp and climbed aboard. Back at Union Glacier, we got out in early evening to a far easier environment... hard packed level snow, mild temps and walk-in tents with tables and chairs. We caught up to the gang of Vinson climbers we’d originally gone to the mountain with. It was a pleasant reunion with guests and staff and everybody trading notes on weather at the top of Antarctica, out at the penguins, back in the Alps or off in the Himalaya. Word is that an Ilyushin flight may be inbound for us the day after tomorrow... on the 15th. Better late than never. In any case, my team is looking forward to a low altitude night without a storm tearing at the tents. Union is certainly good enough for now.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
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Comments (5)
Papa (Steve) I miss, miss, miss you, really bad papa! Glad you got to the top, hurry back - Sierra. I miss you and love you - Kira. The Grandkids helped me make fudge tonight. They are very anxious to have you back. We love you and can’t wait to see you, soon. Vickie
Posted by: Vickie Butterfield on
Thank goodness I can stop feeling guilty every time I put another chunk in the wood stove or fry a real egg or go to the kitchen to top off my coffee cup. You are probably all walking around Union Glacier in your flip flops and tank tops by now. Linz, my birthday present will be you getting safely underway back to Indiana. Congrats to all from 630’ altitude, 22 degrees F. and gentle breeze. There are still colors besides blue and white.
Dave, thanks for looking after our girl. When I tried to teach our kids that taking a little risk adds spice to life, Lindsay took me seriously.
Posted by: Les Z on
That is great , happy all you are safe and back to better place,
Sue can’t wait to hear from you, California and your friends are waiting for you with a weather in the 80s almost every single day.
Be safe in you way out!!
Dave had been enjoying every report of the team, looking forward to meet you in one expedition in the future, for sure ours friend Sue is in good hands
Thanks!!!!
Sandra E
Posted by: Sandra E on
Thank you Lord…we were all beginning to get a little uneasy but knew you were in good hands !!! Woo hoo!!!
Posted by: Laura Thompson on
Yay!!!! I’m so relieved! Love you Dad
Posted by: Diana Curtis on