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December 2, 2024 - 12:41 pm PT
The first thing you notice about Antarctica, as you look out the airplane window anxiously anticipating your arrival, is the scale. The scale of Antarctica is infinite. Snow, ice, mountains and clouds seemingly go on forever.
Then you notice the colors of Antarctica. The colors of Antarctica are equally enticing, but they are few - only the endless white and the brilliant blues. The pure white ice and snow that cover this grand continent interrupted only by the the hints of blue tinting the cracks in the glaciers when the sun hits them just right, the natural blue ice runway, and the vast blue sky. (This of course ignores the spectrum of bright primary colors in the climbers’ down coats, tents and other gear that pepper the landscape, but those are not the natural colors of Antarctica.)
Then you notice the sounds of Antarctica. The sounds of Antarctica are many, and they are distinct. Each step on the ice in our mountain boots and crampons delivers a high-pitched squeak, like pieces of styrofoam being rubbed together - squeak, squeak, squeak - so loud it’s impossible to have a conversation while walking. Each plant of our poles similarly punctuates every step with an exclamation mark. The sound of Dominic firing up our camp stove is similarly unique. The roar of the white gas igniting like a miniature jet engine summoning us to our cozy mess tent for hot drinks.
And the melodic chatter coming from the tents of the Chinese contingent we are sharing high camp with, matched by the friendly sing-song of Anja’s voice greeting us each day - “good morning” - wishing us a nice meal - “bon appetite” - or singing us a German lullaby before bed.
But the most distinctive and telling sound of all is the howl of the wind. And boy does it howl. The howl tells us it’s cold, very, very cold. And, unfortunately, for the last two nights starting in the early hours of the morning the relentless howl has clearly and triumphantly announced that we would not be climbing today. That we would remain at high camp, confined to our cramped tents for another day. That the summit would have to wait. The howl is the gatekeeper to our adventure. So here we are again today - our third day at high camp - relying on our creativity to pass the time. Meeting other climbers from around the world and chatting with them for as long as you can stand the biting cold, shivering in front of the stack of squeaky styrofoam ice blocks arranged to give a hint of privacy while you try to poop into a plastic bag before you get frostbite in places you had never before worried about getting frostbite. Or laughing and telling stories of our prior adventures in the mess tent over cups of hot chocolate. Or listening to a podcast, concerned the entire time you’re wasting valuable battery life that will cost you pictures of the summit when we get there tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day …
RMI Climber Chris Lind
New Post Alerts:
Vinson Expedition November 22, 2024
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Kiira Antenucci, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,800'
Sunday, June 12, 2022 - 8:59 pm
Good evening readers,
After sending the dispatch last night we listened to the weather from Kahiltna Basecamp. With the weather, basecamp also reads a trivia question. And guess what? We won it! What is a group of ravens called? An unkindness. And what an unkindness they will do if you don't bury your cache deep enough. So today when we arrived to our cache spot at 10,000', we made sure there would be no unkindness done to our belongings. Once again it was an early start to our day. A few snoozes to the alarm to let the weather clear up a bit led to some oatmeal and packing up half our gear. Carrying half our gear will allow our move tomorrow to be a little more enjoyable. The team cruised up ski hill, stepping over several crevasses, and making easy work of the first major uphill of our journey. Clouds took away most of our views but every once in awhile parts of the mountain showed its beauty. It was a good day and we also got our first taste of moving downhill. Sitting at camp looking up, it's amazing how much more terrain we need to cover. In due time we will get there. Tomorrow we will repeat what we did today plus a little to bring us to 11k camp. Getting to 11k is a great feeling because it will be our first camp we truly get to nest into and enjoy a rest day. For now, we have four minutes till the weather comes on, so we will end it here.
Happy reading,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and Team
Hi to the Jasons…
Happy climbing…
Reach for the stars SAFELY
Great reads TY
Posted by: Jo Anne Neas on 6/14/2022 at 7:57 am
Hey Hannah! Wishing you and your Team all the Best on this adventure!!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 6/14/2022 at 3:41 am
Posted by: JJ Justman, Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,300'
On The Map
Congratulations team! https://www.instagram.com/tideworksmountaineers/
Posted by: Tideworks Mountaineers on 8/21/2019 at 8:19 am
On The Map
You are more woman than I ever dreamed of. You go girl! Thanks for sharing your adventures. . <3
Posted by: Kim Beaney on 7/31/2013 at 7:35 am
Good luck Kalin and Emily! May the weather hold! Love, Helen, Adam and Pinocchio!
Posted by: Helen on 7/29/2013 at 9:45 pm
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On The Map
Bill “degrees of greatness”
Another great adventure….
Love the pictures
Sacramento, ca temperature108
Posted by: Bill&Cathy; on 6/9/2013 at 11:22 pm
great job, miss you and proud of you Barbara your amazing! All of you are amazing! Kalispell Montana
Posted by: jay rocha on 6/8/2013 at 7:22 am
On The Map
On The Map
Posted by: Daniel May, Charlie Harrison, Joey Manship
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,200'
The Mt. Rainier Four Day Climb led by RMI Guide Daniel May called Ingraham Flats their high point this morning. While route conditions prevented the team from climbing higher, they spent time at 11,200' watching the sunrise over Eastern Washington and the Cascades. We look forward to welcoming the team back to Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.
Bravo, Cifelli & Team. Prayers & Good Vibes flying down south to your successful climb to the summit. You are all amazing especially our man from Cork, Myles O’Neill.
From Judy in Wicklow, Ben in Dublin and Sam in Rome.
Posted by: Judith Lee on 12/2/2024 at 10:53 pm
Hey Vinson Team,
Rooting for you all, especially my uncle Myles. Such an amazing adventure - do it for the rest of us who are too scared too!!
Eva :)
Posted by: Eva Walsh on 12/2/2024 at 10:19 pm
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