Gear List For Kilimanjaro

As many of you know, mountaineer Alan Arnette is in the midst of his Seven Summit Climbs for Alzheimer's during which he hopes to reach the top of the highest mountains on each of the seven continents in an effort to raise money and awareness of the Cure Alzheimer's Fund.  He has already completed four of the climbs (Vinson, Aconcagua, Everest, and Elbrus) and was denied a summit attempt on Denali due to persistent bad weather, and in a few days time he'll leave for Africa, where he'll attempt Kilimanjaro.

Over the weekend, Alan posted an update to his blog sharing the gear that he'll be taking with him on this climb. As he notes, Kili is a different kind of climb, as it is actually a "hike-up" mountain that includes a lot of altitude, but not much technical challenge. The result is that it isn't as gear intensive as some of the other big peaks, although Summit Day does require warmer gear than most of the rest of the trek. Alan also included a video showing off his specific gear and sharing the items that he's taking with him. You'll find that video below.

I know that Kilimanjaro is is a popular destination for many adventure travelers, and I regularly get e-mails regarding the trek. I thought that Alan's blog post and video would come in handy for anyone planning their own trip to Kili as it will help you to know what exactly you should be taking with you when you head to Tanzania. There is no need for a bulky down suit on this expedition, although you do pass through five climate zones from the base of the mountain to the summit, so you still need to bring plenty of gear along.

After Kili, Alan will next head to Indonesia to climb Carstensz Pyramid and then on to Australia for Mt. Kosciuszko, the tallest point on that continent.

Jake Norton Launches Challenge21 Project

Mountaineer Jake Norton has just begun an ambitious new project that combines his love of climbing with a burning desire to have a lasting impact on the world. He is calling his project Challenge21, and over the next four years, he hopes to climb the three highest peaks on each of the seven continents, while raising awareness of the need for safe drinking water for people all over the world.

The expedition is officially underway right now, as Jake is currently in Kigali, Rwanda where he is preparing to travel to the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda to begin his first climb. First up on the list is Mount Stanley's Margherita Peak, the third highest mountain in Africa at 5109 meters (16,763 ft). It will be the first of many challenges on the way to not only topping out on all 21 mountains, but also raising a proposed $2.1 million for Water For People, an organization dedicated to finding safe drinking water solutions for developing nations.

You'll be able to follow along with Jake's progress on the Challenge21 Blog, where he is already posting updates. There is also an official Challenge21 Facebook page and Twitter Feed as well. You can also learn more about Jake's plans in the video below, which outlines what Challenge21 is all about.

So what mountains will Jake be climbing? You can checkout the entire list by clicking here. We're all familiar with the Seven Summits of course, all of which are obviously on this list. There are also quite a few lesser known peaks as well, which should make this an interesting challenge to say the least. The toughest challenge will obviously come in Asia, where he'll not only take on Everest (A mountain Jake is quite familiar with!) but also K2 and Kangchenjunga as well. Those three alone are enough to keep most mountaineers up late at night wondering how they're going to scale them.

This should be a fantastic adventure to follow along. Good luck to Jake on this amazing, and very worthwhile, endeavor.

Alan Arnette Summits Elbrus

Congratulations are in order to my friend Alan Arnette this morning, as he has knocked off yet another of the Seven Summits. In an audio dispatch this morning Alan announced that he had successfully reached the top of Mt. Elbrus, the tallest mountain in Europe. This is the fourth successful expedition in Alan's  7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer's project.

Located in the Western Caucasus Mountains in Russia, Elbrus stands 5642 meters (18,510 ft) in height. It is a popular climbing destination in Eastern Europe, and is considered one of the more moderately challenging climbs in the Seven Summits. That said, Alan reports that it took his team about seven and a half hours to reach the summit, from High Camp, today, although he sounded in great spirits and good health when he phoned in his dispatch.

Alan has now added Elbrus to his list of successful summits, joining Vinson in Antarctica, Aconcagua in South America, and Everest in Asia. Back in July he attempted to climb Denali, the tallest peak in North America, but was eventually forced to give up the climb due to persistently bad weather. Next up, he'll head to Africa in September to climb Kilimanjaro.

The 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer's is a very important and personal project for Alan, who lost his mother to that awful disease a few years back. He is climbing to raise awareness of Alzheimer's as well as money to fund research with the Cure Alzheimer's Fund. A great cause for sure, and a great way to help the process.

Richard Parks Completes 737 Challenge

I've mentioned Richard Parks and his 737 Challenge in the past, but wanted to do a follow-up to report that he has completed the expedition, which had the ambitious goal of climbing the Seven Summits and visiting the Three Poles, in just seven months time.

According to this story, from Wales Online, Parks finished his journey last week by reaching the summit of Mt. Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe. You would think that after he knocked off Everest in the spring, that Elbrus, which stands 5642 meters (18,510 ft) in height, would be a relatively easy climb, but according to the story, Richard struggled to the top as his strength and energy waned. Then again, getting so close to his final goal, and having traveled and climbed a lot in the past six+ months, I guess it should be expected that he would be a bit tired.

While standing on the summit, Parks said that his accomplishment hadn't set in yet, but a blog post that came a few days later allowed him to share some thoughts on the journey. He was back home in the U.K. at that point, and has a lot of media appearances on his agenda, and it sounds like he's still struggling to come to grips with his accomplishment.

The expedition website says that the official time to complete the 737 Challenge was six months, 11 days, 7 hours, and 53 minutes. In that time frame, Richard managed to climb the seven highest peaks on each of the seven continents, while also visiting the "three poles." That would be the North and South Pole of course, and the summit of Everest, which is sometimes referred to as the "third pole." While his polar journeys were last-degree ski expeditions, this is still one very impressive accomplishment. The travel time alone would be enough to wear a lot of people out, let alone climbing mountains and skiing through frozen wastelands.

It should also be noted that Parks undertook this journey to raise funds and awareness of the Marie Curie Cancer Care organization, a great cause that has inspired a number of adventurous Brits.

Congratulations Richard, well done!

Waiting Out The Weather On Denali

As I've mentioned before, Alan Arnette is currently climbing Denali as the fourth leg of his Seven Summits for Alzheimer's project. Having already knocked off Mt. Vinson in Antarctica, Aconcagua in South America, and Everest in Asia, he has been hoping to finish Denali, the highest peak in North America as well. Unfortunately, the weather has not been cooperating, and his window is starting to run short, as he awaits an opportunity to add one more summit to his already impressive resume.

According to his latest dispatch, Alan is currently sitting at High Camp on Denali, which is located at about 5242 meters (17,200 ft). He, and the rest of his team, are hoping that weather forecasts hold true, and the projected change in weather takes place tomorrow, which would clear the way for summit attempts on Thursday. If the high winds and snows continue however, his opportunity to summit may disappear. The expedition has set a deadline of July 17th, which is Sunday, for when they'll need to leave the mountain.

Alan and his squad, which is being guided by Mountain Trip, are making a late season climb, and as a result, they are practically the only ones on the mountain at the moment. That could prove to be very beneficial if they do get the opportunity to summit, as there won't be any traffic jams headed up to the 6196 meter (20,327 ft) summit. On the other hand, with all the snow that has been hitting the area recently, they'll be forced to break trail themselves. I'm sure at the moment however, they're just all hoping they'll get a crack at the summit.

Stay tuned for updates later in the week. Hopefully there will be at least one more successful Denali climb this season.

Himalaya 2011: Alan Arnette Shares His Everest Experience

The 2011 Spring Climbing Season may be over, but we're continuing to get information about the events that unfolded in the mountains over the past few months. Take for example a pair of recent blog posts from Everest summitteer Alan Arnette, who completed the third leg of his Seven Summits for Alzheimer's project when he stood on top of the world's tallest peak.

The first blog post, published a couple of days back, is an excellent recap of the gear that Alan used on his Everest expedition, beginning with the trek to Base Camp and continuing all the way to the summit. He talks about the items he used while living in BC for weeks at a time and on his various acclimatization rotations as well. For some of you, this will probably be old hat, but for those who aren't aware of all the items that are used on this type of climb, it is a very revealing read. Definitely recommended for those who like their gear!

For an even better read however, you'll want to take a look at Alan's final expedition report, during which he talks about the climb in much more detail. You will find an introductory blog post, published just this morning, and a link to a PDF document that actually contains the report itself. As you would expect from Alan, the document is very well written and detailed, with plenty of information for those interested in an Everest climb in general and Alan's story specifically.

With Mt. Vinson, Aconcagua, and now Everest under his belt, Alan will next turn to Denali in his quest to complete the Seven Summits. Expect regular dispatches from that expedition as well, as he sets his sights on the highest peak in North America, a mountain he is also quite familiar with.

Great work on these reports Alan. Good luck in Alaska!

Sherpa Climbs Seven Summits In 42 Days

Way back last March of last year I posted a story on Ang Chhiring Sherpa, who at the time was attempting to set a speed record for climbing the Seven Summits. Fast forward a year, and he has accomplished his goal and in highly impressive times.

According to this story, which is in French, (use Google Translate), A.C., as he has known, managed to knock off each of the seven summits in just 42 days of accumulated climbing. That's the amount of time he actually spent on the mountains itself, and not his his total time from start to finish of all of the mountains. The individual times for each of the peaks looks like this: Mount McKinley- 12 days; Kilimanjaro - 16 hours, 37 minutes round trip!); Elbrus - 8 hours, 14 minutes; Kosciusko - 2 hours, 32 minutes; Aconcagua - 7 days; Vinson - 4 days;  and Everest - 19 days.

A.C. actually finished off his quest last may when he completed his climb of Everest, but I hadn't seen confirmation of his final time until this story was send my way by Louis-Philippe Lonke earlier today. While the news might be old, it is still a very impressive time and accomplishment that deserves a salute.

It should also be noted that A.C. wasn't making the climb just to achieve a record. He was also raising funds and awareness for the Himalayan Women & Children Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping to educate women and provide basic health care and other services for those living in the Himalayan mountains.

A worthy cause to say the least.

Alan Arnette Explains The Routes Of Everest

As I mentioned a few days back, the Everest 2011 season isn't as far off as you would think, and as I write this, dozens of mountaineers across the globe are preparing to head to the Himalaya in a month to start their epic climb up the world's tallest mountain. While there are more challenging and hazardous peaks to scale, Everest is the one that holds the attention of the mainstream audience for sure. As most of you know, the bulk of the summit attempts come along two routes, one from the North Side, which falls inside Tibet, and one from the South Side in Nepal. Despite the fact that the two routes are on the same mountain, they both vary a great deal from one another. Fortunately, Alan Arnette has written an excellent, and informative, blog post to help us sort out the various routes up Everest.

The article breaks down both the North and South Side routes, explaining where each of the camps are located and sharing the distances traveled and the time it takes, on average, to reach those points on the mountain. He also shares the more famous landmarks on the climb as well, such as the Balcony and the Hillary Step, both of which are found along the South Side route. Those points of reference are often used when explaining where teams are at on the mountain, especially on summit day when they are making their final push. If you're new to following the Everest season, this information will help you put everything into perspective when the action begins later this spring.

Alan also shares the positive and negative aspects of climbing from either side as well. For instance, on the North Side you can actually drive to Base Camp and you'll find smaller crowds on the way to the top, but you'll also have to deal with colder temperatures and higher winds as well. Meanwhile, the South Side has nearby villages for acclimatizing and recovery and tends to be slightly warmer, but climbers have to pass through the dreaded Khumbu Icefall every time they leave BC.

Finally, Alan wraps things up with a discussion on which side of the mountain is the most deadly. Statistically speaking, the North earns this dubious distinction, and he explains some of the reasons why that might be, such as lower costs leading to more independent climbers, more technically challenging aspects to the climb, and so on.

This article is an excellent primer for those looking to learn more about what goes into an Everest climb and how the various routes differ from one another. It is also a nice reminder for those of us who have been following the annual spring climb for some years too, and it helps to prepare us for the season ahead.

Alan will actually be on Everest for the fourth time this spring as he continues his Seven Summit Climbs for Alzheimer's. This will be the third of his seven summits, having already knocked off Vinson in Antarctica and Aconcagua in Argentina.

7 Summits Climb For Alzheimer's: Camp 2 On Aconcagua

It has been about a week and a half since we last checked in on Alan Arnette. At that time he was in Argentina, where he was preparing for the trek to Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America, and next on his Seven Summits hit list. Since that time, he has not only arrived on the mountain, but has been working hard to help shuttle gear to the high camps in preparation for the summit push. Yesterday, he and the rest of the team were in Camp 2, located at 18,000 feet (5486 meters), with plans to move up to High Camp today. With their gear in place at that location, they'll be all set for their final push when the weather allows.

For Alan, hiking around Aconcagua is like visiting an old friend. He has successfully climbed the 22'841 foot peak (6962 meters) on two other occasions. But Alan is also a safe and deliberate climber who doesn't take anything for granted. I can assure you that he doesn't look at this summit as a fore-gone conclusion, and he is focused on getting up and down very safely.

For those who aren't aware, Alan is climbing the Seven Summits to raise $1 million for the Cure Alzheimer's Fund. Since announcing this project back in November, he has already successfully climbed Mt. Vinson in Antarctica, and after Aconcagua he'll move on to Everest, a mountain that he has also been on several times in the past. Most Seven Summiteers wait to do Everest last, but Alan will make it the third peak on his list.

Good luck on Aconcagua this week Alan! Climb on!

Teen Ager Sets Eyes On Everest, Youngest Seven Summits Mark

16-year old Brit George Atkinson is preparing to go to Everest this spring where a successful summit will earn him a spot in the record books. George is hoping to become the youngest person to climb the Seven Summits, and the 8850 meter (29,029 ft) Everest is all that stand between him and that goal.

According to this story from the BBC, Atkinson just finished up his climb of Vinson in Antarctica, and if he conquers Everest before the 29th of May, a likely scenario if he does reach the summit at all, he'll be the first person to complete the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each of the seven continents, before the age of 17.

Of course, this all brings into focus, once again, the debate about the age of climbers on Everest. Last year, after Jordan Romero climbed the mountain at the age of 13, both China and Nepal instituted age limitations for taking on the tallest peak in the world. The Chinese set the limit at 18, but said they would consider going as low as 16 if circumstances dictated. In Nepal, the age limit was set at 16 as well, which means George has his choice of which side he'd like to climb from, although Nepal's South Side seems the most likely location.

Atkinson turns 17 on May 29th, so he'll likely be just shy of his birthday when he goes to the top. His record will probably relatively short lived however, as Romero is scheduled to go to Antarctica in November, where he'll probably finish off his Seven Summits by topping out on Vinson. He'll be 15 at that time.

Thanks to my friend Alan Curr for sending this story my way.

7 Summits Climb For Alzheimer's: Alan's Off To Aconcagua!

This past weekend, our friend Alan Arnette flew off to Argentina where he is attempting to climb Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in South America, as part of his 7 Summits Climbs for Alzheimer's. Alan is currently en route to the mountain, which stands 6962 meters (22,841 ft) in height. While it is a mostly non-technical climb, at least along the regular route, the altitude alone is enough to cause some problems for those that are unprepared.

Alan will not arrive in BC for a few more days yet, as he and his IMG guides are now in Mendoza awaiting the rest of the team and preparing the last of their gear before purchasing their climbing permits for the mountain. Expect good updates at every step of the process, as Alan always does an excellent job of keeping us informed of his progress and giving great insights into what it is like to climb the mountain he is currently on. I expect no less this time, especially considering that he has already successfully climbed Aconcagua in the past.

An example of Alan's great work is the video below, during which he talks about his prep work for the mountain and shows off the gear he's using on this climb. He doesn't just show us the individual pieces however, as he actually shows us each piece in regards to where it is used during the climb. It is very insightful for those that wonder where all that gear is put to use.

Jordan Romero Has Big Plans For 2011

Last year, Jordan Romero grabbed headlines across the globe when he became the youngest person to summit Everest at the age of 13. This year he still has some lofty goals to accomplish with a busy schedule of climbs once again.

Jordan has always said that he hoped to complete the Seven Summits, and in the process become the youngest person to do so. He's 14 now and has just one peak left on the list, which is Mt. Vinson in Antarctica. He plans to make his attempt on that mountain in December of 2011, which will close that chapter on his mountaineering career.

But before he does that, he told AOL News that he plans to climb the highest peaks in all 50 states as well. He'll combine those efforts with a series of lectures and presentations on his adventures which he hopes will encourage kids to be active, get outdoors, and pursue a more adventurous lifestyle.

The ninth grader isn't done there either. He may barely be into high school but he's already looking ahead to college too. He also told AOL News that he hopes to study ski resort management when he heads to university in a few years, which means he's smart enough to know that he wants to work in the outdoor industry in a job that gives him some time off in the summer!

While I have been a bit critical of the younger climbers on the big peaks over the years, I do salute Jordan and his attempt to inspire other kids to follow in his footsteps. Anything that gets people, young or old, outside and enjoying life is a good thing. It'll be interesting to see if Jordan attempts to break the speed record for climbing the 50 U.S. high points, which is currently held by 12-year old Matt Moniz. Perhaps we have the next generation of climbing rivalry already in the making. Or maybe we just have two very talented young climbers who both enjoy a healthy dose of adventure.

Antarctica 2010: Conditions Great At The Bottom Of The World

A number of teams are reporting in that the weather conditions in Antarctica have been fantastic over the past few days, with clear skies, calm winds, and moderate temperatures. As a result, everyone is making good time, but wondering how long their good fortune will last.

Willem ter Horst and Hannah McKeand have crossed the 85ºS point, which puts them halfway to the Pole and the end of their journey. It wasn't easy getting to that point however, as the pair were working up hill for most of the day yesterday before they reached the top of the Antarctic Plateau and spotted the Thiel Mountains for the first time. After 8 hours on their skies, they felt fresh enough to press on, claim the 85th degree, and make their day today much easier. The plan is to ski 12 nautical miles today before they take their second planned rest day tomorrow.

Chris Foot has also crossed the 85ºS mark, but that only puts him a quarter of the way towards completing his expedition. While it is true that he is also now halfway to the Pole, that is not the finish line for his journey. Once there, he intends to turn around and ski back to Union Glacier where he started, marking the first solo and unsupported trip along that route. Foot says that conditions remain fantastic, and he continues to make great time. He is also in great spirits because he has been communicating with his mates back home in the U.K. as the holidays loom. At the moment, it seems like it should be a relatively easy trip to 90ºS for Chris. Lets hope his spirits and stamina remain high as he makes the turn back towards the coast in a few weeks time.

The Fuchs Foundation Team hurriedly departed Antarctica on Sunday, hopping a flight back to Punta Arenas courtesy of ALE. The weather conditions were so good that they hadn't expected to leave so son, but they threw their gear together and were off before they really had time to reflect. It seems that the group of educators enjoyed their stay in the Antarctic, where they had the opportunity to conduct research and experiments. Presumably they are in safely back in Chile now, and preparing for the flight home, mission accomplished.

A new skier has just set out, late in the season for the South Pole, as Norwegian Christian Eide just got underway yesterday. Christian is no stranger to the Antarctic however, as ExWeb reports that he has already topped out on Vinson this season and has completed a Last Degree journey to the Pole was well. Hopefully he is quick on the ice, as he has a long way to go. Perhaps he'll cross paths with Chris Foot making his return trek. Good luck Christian!

The Moon-Regan Transantarctic Expedition officially came to an end on Sunday when the team arrived back at the Union Glacier camp. They were extremely happy to enter the mess tent and grab a hot coffee, but most of all they were happy to get a Coca-Cola. No word yet if they've departed for Chile as well, but they should be off the ice and headed back to civilization soon too. They've also managed to accomplish their goals, which included setting a new speed record for traversing the continent.

Meanwhile, over on Vinson, more teams have been topping out, with a slew of climbers claiming one of their goals in reaching the Seven Summits. With the good weather in place, I imagine plenty of climbers have had the opportunity in the past few days.

Speaking of Vinson, Alan Arnette is back in Colorado, recovering nicely form his Antarctic adventure while preparing for Aconcagua in a few weeks. Alan has shared his thoughts on his climb of Vinson in a recent blog post. This is, of course, the first of his Seven Summits for Alzheimer's climbs, so expect to hear much more from Alan in the days ahead. Congrats Alan!

That's all for now! More in a few days.

Antarctica 2010: 84ºS For Chris, Fuchs Team Back At Union Glacier

It has been a few days since I posted an update on the events taking place in the Antarctic, and while we're all busy preparing for the holidays ahead, the explorers are still concentrating on the task at hand, which is namely heading staying on course and heading south.

Chris Foot has been doing a very good job of that so far, as he continues to make good progress towards the Pole. He is now 21 days into his march, and is topping 16 nautical miles per day. As a result, yesterday he went over the 84ºS mark, which was another milestone on the journey. In his latest audio dispatch, Chris says the weather has been good the past few days, although temperatures are on the cool side, but he is happy with the way things are going for the most part. You'll recall that Foot is hoping to complete the first trip to the Pole and then back again to Hercules Inlet, completely solo and unsupported.

Willem ter Horst and guide Hannah McKeand are also picking up speed as they head south. They knocked off more than 15nm yesterday in their best day so far. The two took turns leading the expedition after Willem's ski bindings started to give him trouble. Turns out, they weren't damaged however, and he was able to continue on skis on a nearly perfect day in Antarctica. With the weather cooperating, the duo hopes to keep making solid progress towards the Pole, although right now they're more focused on their next supply drop and rest day, which is still about another 90 miles away.

The group of teachers that are part of the Fuchs Foundation who have been in the Antarctic for the past few weeks conducting research and experiments are now back at the Union Glacier base, where they'll soon be making their way back to Punta Arenas, and eventually home. They kept themselves busy by manning a checkpoint for the Antarctic Ice Marathon, which is currently underway at the bottom of the world. It seems that this team has really been enjoying their time in the Antarctic.

The Moon-Regan Transantarctic Expedition may have completed their crossing of the continent, but the team is still making its way back to Union Glacier, where they'll be picked up by ALE and given a lift back to Argentina. Reading their blog, it seems that the boys will be happy to be back in civilization, and get a break from one another, as three-weeks out on the ice has started to take its toll, as evidenced by a recent spat between two of the drivers of the support vehicles over which direction to go. It seems like tempers are a bit short after spending many, many hours huddled inside their trucks the past few weeks.

Finally, Alan Arnette is back in Colorado, and will no doubt be sharing insights from his Vinson climb soon. He posted this thoughtful piece to his blog a few days back, remarking on how much he enjoyed his stay in Antarctica, where he completed the first of his Seven Summits climbs by topping otu on Mt. Vinson. He also shared the YouTube video below, which does a great job of showing us all what the Union Glacier base is really like.

Antarctica 2010: Weather Woes Continue

It was another challenging weekend in the Antarctic with teams facing long marches in bad weather once again. The weather was so bad in fact that it delayed the dropping of resupply caches for a couple of teams, who were reduced to emergency rations for a time.

One of those teams was the pairing of Willem ter Horst and Hannah McKeand, who picked up their third degree South today. Willem reports that the weather has improved ever so slightly, and that today wasn't a total whiteout, but blowing snow and high winds still made for a challenging day. Late in the day on Friday, the pair were down to their emergency rations, but on Saturday the skies cleared just long enough for a food and fuel drop that gave them the much needed relief that they hoped for. They're now well passed 83ºS and picking up speed, knocking off about 14 nautical miles per day.

While the Indian Army Team continues to avoid posting updates to their site, ExWeb is reporting that they were waiting at 82ºS for their first supply drop as well. This runs counter to their original plan, which was to go unassisted, but it looks like they received new goodies over the weekend as well.

Chris Foot also reported tough whiteout conditions over the weekend, only to find a sunny day with blue skies overhead yesterday. He is picking up speed as well, having crossed over the 15nm per day barrier, and today he plans to drop another 10kg cache for his return trip from the South Pole. That will lessen the weight on his sledge considerably, and should help him pick up speed too. He does report that the terrain is changing for the worse however, and thinks things could be more challenging in the days ahead. He also notes that while he continues to lose weight, his 6000+ calories per day is helping to slow that process.

Finally, a couple of expeditions are over, and the teams are on their way home. For instance, the Moon-Regan Transantarctic Expedition completed their crossing of the continent last week, and are now preparing to head back home, mission accomplished. Alan Arnette is also done on Vinson and according to his most recent blog post, he is waiting to get picked up and begin the long journey home as well. That journey includes hopping a flight back to Union Glacier aboard a Twin Otters aircraft. From there, he'll wait for the big Illusyin to shuttle him back to Punta Arenas with all of his gear, then finally the long flight home to the States. All of that is contingent, like all things in Antarctica, on the weather, which has been unpredictable to say the least.

There will be more climbers headed to Vinson over the next few weeks as another round of expeditions commence. Plenty of climbers will take the opportunity to nab the highest peak on the continent while the seasonal window is open, so I'm sure we'll hear about a rash of summits leading into January.

The big expedition to watch continues to be Chris Foot's. His attempt to go to the Pole and back again is still a major challenge, with weather, powdery snow, and supplies all impacting his final outcome. Should definitely be interesting to watch in the weeks ahead.

Antarctica 2010: More Vinson Summits

Yesterday I posted a note on Alan Arnette's successful summit of Mt. Vinson in Antarctica. Alan reported great weather and fantastic conditions on the mountain, which allowed him, and plenty of other climbers, to make their summit bids. Today, ExWeb has a full report on the other teams climbing in Antarctica.

According to the post, the winds died down enough for teams to head to the summit, but it was extremely cold up there. ExWeb says temperatures were around -30ºF when the climbers approached the top. Amongst the teams that stood on the highest point on the continent were Latitude Expeditions, who were the first to top out, International Mountain Guides, the 7 Summits Club,  Adventure Consultants, and Alpine Ascents.

While Vinson doesn't ever get as crowded as say, Everest, that is still a healthy stream of climbers going up at the same time. It sounds like everyone had plenty of company at the summit, and despite the cold, they all report great weather for their climbs.

With this first round of summits out of the way, things will calm down a bit, but expect a steady stream of climbs on the mountain, and surrounding peaks as well, over the next few weeks. Vinson is not a very technical mountain to climb, but the logistics are a challenge, and the weather can be awful. Still, it is one of the Seven Summits, so it is a much coveted peak to have on the resume.

Antarctic 2010: Alan Summits Vinson!

As predicted, the weather window in Antarctica was good enough to allow climbers access to the summit of Mt. Vinson today, with Alan Arnette being one of them. A short time ago, Alan sent an audio dispatch back to his blog, saying he was coming to us "From the top of the World, at the bottom of the World."

In his dispatch, Alan says that the climb was a very good one, and that he captured plenty of great photos along the way. Conditions were perfect, with crystal clear skies, and no winds, which made for cold conditions, but otherwise a spectacular ascent with few problems.

This is, of course, the first of Alan's Seven Summits for Alzheimer's climbs, which will see him attempting to knock off all the highest peaks on the seven continents in less than one year. His ultimate goal is to raise $1 million to for Alzheimer's research. It is mission accomplished on phase one of the project. Congratulations Alan!

The weather conditions in Antarctica haven't been great for everyone however. Chris Foot sent back an audio dispatch of his own saying that he battled high winds all day, which made for challenging conditions throughout his day on the skis. He described it as a "very, very tough day" in winds of 45+ knots (50+ mph). Despite that, he still made decent progress.

Willem ter Horst reports similar conditions today as well, although it didn't effect him, and his guide Hannah McKeand, much, as it was a designated rest day today. Reports say that clouds and snow will move in over the next few days, but conditions should improve on the weekend. The duo were expecting a supply drop today as well, although they are well supplied should they need to continue for a few more days yet.

The Fuchs Foundation team are also being tormented by the wind, especially in the evenings when they try to sleep. They have been camped in the same spot for several days now, and while the skies are clear and bright, the wind has made it impossible to move during the day, and hard to sleep at night. They intend to move on to their next destination once the wind allows them to stand up-right and move with their sledges.

Details are a bit on the sketchy side at the moment, but it seems that the Moon-Regan Transantractic Expedition has achieved their goal and successfully crossed the entire continent of Antarctica. Their latest blog post talks about poor weather and other conditions, but doesn't mention the crossing yet, although their front page has declared the expedition complete. This is the team that was making the journey in vehicles, including a snow buggy powered by bio-fuels. They faced a number of challenges along the way, including mechanical breakdowns, but they have completed their final destination.

Congrats to the entire team for their accomplishment as well!

More from the frozen continent soon!

Antarctica 2010: Alan Begins Summit Bid On Vinson

The weather has improved dramatically on Mt. Vinson, and that means it is time for the climbers gathered there to being their summit bids, including Alan Arnette, who is attempting the first of his Seven Summits for Alzheimer's climbs.

In an audio dispatch to his blog today, Alan reports in from Base Camp with the news on the much improved weather that includes clear skies and calm winds. When he made the dispatch, the team was packing up their gear and preparing to start up the mountain, with a planned stop at high camp for a brief rest. Alan estimates that they would spend 12-hours or so in High Camp before proceed up to the summit. If all goes according to schedule, he and the other members of his team should be on top sometime tomorrow morning.

At 16,050 feet, Vinson is the tallest mountain in Antarctica. While that altitude doesn't sound all that intimidating when compared to some of the other Seven Summits, the very low barometric pressure near the Poles makes it feel like the altitude is much higher. Throw in some of the most inhospitable weather, not to mention frigid temperatures, found anywhere on the planet, and you'll understand why this can be a very challenging climb indeed.

With any luck, I'll post a full Antarctic update tomorrow that will include word of Alan's success on the first of his Seven Summits. He hopes to complete all of them in less than a year's time, while raising $1 million for Alzheimer's research in the process.

Good luck Alan!

Antarctica 2010: It's Always About The Weather

It was another busy weekend for the Antarctic explorers heading to the South Pole and beyond. For their first week out on the ice, the weather remained clear and cold, but that seems to be changing, as more challenging conditions set in.

Chris Foot continued making good progress in spite of those conditions. He reported walk in a whiteout for over seven hours, but told his home team that it was "mildly challenging." Foot has now covered more than 125 nautical miles on his planned expedition both to and from the South Pole. He also dropped a much needed supply cache for his return trip to Union Glacier, which not only lightens the load on his sled now, but will also give him the supplies he needs when he is nearing the end of his expedition.

Willem ter Horst and guide Hannah McKeand are also continuing to make great progress, notching up 15+nm per day. Their competitive spirit is helping them some in that area, as they have been playing cat and mouse with another expedition, which has led to a little friendly rivalry that has both teams working to see who can go the farthest and fastest on a given day. That competition has seemed to payed off, as Willem and Hannah edged ahead of Team Zig-Zag, at least for now. They expect to nab their second degree tomorrow as the march continues to the Pole.

The Moon-Regan Transantarctic Expedition left the South Pole yesterday morning as they continue their journey by motorized vehicle across the entire continent. They are reportedly in good spirits once again thanks to a few days stay at the South Pole station, and while it was nice to have a break, they were all eager to get started once again. Reportedly progress has been slow in the new region they've moved into, thanks to soft, fluffy snow that is in abundance there. Scientists have named that area "the Swamp" as it is difficult to move through, either on foot or on a vehicle. They've also experienced some very cold and snowy conditions, which isn't very helpful when you're trying to repair an engine.

While we still haven't heard a word out of the Indian Army Team, the Fuchs Foundation continues to send back daily updates of their progress. This is the team of educators from the U.K. who are in the Antarctic to conduct experiments and develop lesson plans for their class rooms back home. The group has been very active since their arrival in the Antarctic, as they travel to and from various locations in the mountains to take samples and readings. This team may not be headed to the South Pole, but they're on just as big of an adventure, and they seem to having a lot of fun at the same time.

Finally, Alan Arnette is on Vinson, where he is attempting the first of his Seven Summits. He is currently at Base Camp on that mountain while he waits for a weather window to begin the actual ascent to the summit. The weather was terrific upon Alan's arrival, and for a few days of shuttling supplies, but it has since turned bad, with snow and extreme cold. So for now, the climbers are sitting and waiting for a window to open. That window could come as early as tomorrow, but at the moment, it is not safe to go up the mountain.

Antarctica 2010: Good Weather Puts Explorers On The Move

After suffering through 2+ weeks of weather delays in Punta Arenas, it seems that things have finally taken a turn for the better. Reports out of Antarctica indicate that the weather is excellent and that progress has been good for just about everyone. I think it is safe to say that the season is officially on, although it remains to be seen if the delays will have an effect on any of the explorers.

Chris Foot has been sending dispatches back from the ice, including an audio file yesterday that updated us on his progress. From the sounds of things, he is in good spirits after six days out on the ice and is actually surprised with his progress so far. He is making good time, notching up 13.3 nautical miles yesterday in just eight hours of work. He expects to cross his first degree today, which is always a good milestone for anyone heading to the Pole. If anyone is likely to be effected by the delays out of Chile, it's Foot, which is why it's great to hear that progress is going better than expected. The adventurous Brit hopes to become the first person to travel from Hercules Inlet to the Pole, and back again, solo and unsupported on skis. He has a long way to go yet of course, but so far it is going well.

Things haven't been quite a rosy for Willem ter Horst, who is making the trek to the South Pole with his guide Hannah McKeand. While Willem and Hannah have enjoyed the great weather so far as well, Willem has experienced some rather painful blisters on his feet. He found little sympathy from Hannah however, as he was informed that he would need to suck it up and continue on. Hannah has made this journey before, and knows how to keep an expedition on track. In his latest dispatch, Willem notes that the sastrugi are already tough to deal with, and probably will continue to be a challenge for some time to come. Sastrugi are hard, rolling ridges in the snow that are formed by the wind, and are often the bane of any Antarctic explorers existence.

The Moon-Regan Transantarctic Expedition is making good progress, despite having a few continued mechanical issues with their vehicles. They managed to reach their first fuel cache and enjoyed a good nights rest in their tents, followed by a hearty breakfast, before getting back on the "road." Up until now, they've mostly been sleeping in their support vehicles, which are cramped and crowded. The team has crossed over the 84ºS mark already and are just 800km from the Pole, but of course that's just half-way home for this squad, who will cross the continent testing a specially built snow vehicle that runs on biofuels. They are also taking a series of scientific readings on the environment and the effects of climate change while they go as well.

The Fuchs Foundation Expedition has reached Union Glacier and has been exploring that region as well. This team is made up of teachers from the U.K. who are in Antarctica to conduct research and exploration on their own while inspiring others back home. They've been sending back updates on a daily basis, with their list of the Top 10 Things To Be Aware of on an Antarctic Expedition being especially entertaining. An example of the wisdom contained there in: "Always bring your fleece salopettes with you when going up a mountain. It may get very cold indeed. You will look extra sheepish when you need to borrow your guides spare pair."

Finally, Alan Arnette has been sending regular dispatches back from Mt. Vinson already. He also reports great weather, although it is quite cold, and progress has been steady even in these first few days. Today he reports that the team is carrying gear and supplies up to High Camp on the mountain as they begin the process of acclimatization. Vinson is, of course, the first peak on Alan's 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer's, during which he hopes to raise $1 million for research to cure that awful disease while climbing the highest peaks on each of the seven continents over the next year.