Vinson Massif: Hahn & Team Weather the Storm at Low Camp
The storm got real last night around 11 or midnight, and sneaky -blowing hard from the previously unprotected side of our tents. Most of the camp population was dressed up and out stumbling around in the storm, laboring to cut and carry more snow blocks to reinforce and extend walls. When the bigger gusts would power on through, people would tend to just stop whatever they were attempting and turn their backs to the assault of wind and ice pellets. It was definitely enough of a storm to break tents, but there was only so much you could do outside to protect them. That done, the other strategy was to get back in them and put a shoulder to the walls to help aluminum poles stand up to the blasts. Whenever there was the perception that things had eased, one could try sleep, but that was a little like trying to nap next to a machine gun in a fire fight. The wind howls and screams through mountains, but when it hits tent fabric, it drums. Hard and loud. It continued well into the morning and finally eased by around 10 AM, making it a little easier to get out at 10:45 when the sun came around the mountain to hit us through clouds. Breakfast was calm enough, but then the winds came in again and the game of snow blocks resumed for a few more hours. By about 2:30 PM, there was a cease fire at Low Camp. The storm was still everywhere else, with fog below and multiple cloud layers on the mountain and wind trailing big streamers of snow off the heights up by High Camp… but it got quiet and calm at Low Camp and we were able to get enough sun through the tent walls to be comfortable through the afternoon and evening. Predictions are that tomorrow (Friday) could be a nice day and if so, we’ll be on the move. We’ll take it step by step though. For the moment we’re happy not to spend the night building snow forts.
Best Regards
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Vinson Massif: Hahn & Team Foiled by the Weather Again
December 3, 2021
Comments (3)
Stay safe above all else. How high would you estimate the storm winds were/are ?
Posted by: Michael Madin on
Wishing for clear skies and a safe trip!
Posted by: Chad Burgert on
I enjoy reading these reports… thanks and good luck!
Posted by: Paul C on