Adventure Consultants Antarctica 2006 - Dispatches

Mark leading into unknown territory

Final Climbing Day!
24 February 2006
Cloud thwarted an early morning departure from the Evohe, but dissipating mists encouraged a hasty departure for the shore with another virgin peak in our sights!
Mark navigated us through a complicated glacier to the base of a steep snow and rock face which led to the summit ridge. We climbed around 8 pitches up to the ridge where a cold and snowy Antarctic gale threatened to turn us back. However, the conditions relented enough to allow us to push on to the top and we congregated in our small teams of three for a quick photo in the mist. Our last virgin peak for the expedition on what has been a successful and enjoyable expedition with a great group of people!
Tomorrow we begin our journey home, if weather conditions allow so check in tomorrow for news.

A poem from our group 23 February 2006
At some moment in time, collective madness prevailed,
A group of complete strangers decided to sail,
As far a trip south as is easily got,
Mode of transport chosen, a bloody great yacht. <

Climbing into the murk 22 February 2006
Today dawned cloudy and showed signs of worsening but we had a crack at Mt Laprida anyways. The climbing started out as very soft snow but quickly improved to pretty good cramponing. It was about this

Paradise Harbour 21 February 2006
We untied the Evohe and motored out from the sheltered channels of Vernadsky base at 7.30am while the team slept. Our intended climbing location for the day was accessible but threatened to be cut off