2008-2009 Mount Vinson Cybercast
December 28, 2008
Hey there, friends, family and loved ones,
This is Vern Tejas reporting for the "Fierce Puppies" our first team to attempt Mount Vinson, the highest mountain in Antarctica, this season. All team members have arrived and a rearing to go. However, that's more than I can say for our equipment. The airline has misplaced Chris's backpack. Foutunately, we were able to gather together enough gear that he will be able to continue with us. This was accomplished by speed shopping late Saturday evening before the stores shut down for the weekend. We were in and out of five shops in less than an hour.
Our day began with an orientation meeting with our transportation specialist. Once we got a handle on the logistics and the current weather conditions, we double checked our climbing gear and weighed and loaded it onto our jet. She's a proud bird known as an Ilyushin 76TR which was flown all the way here from Kazakhstan just to fly us climbers to the "ICE". We are excited to be beginning this adventure and we are looking forward to sharing it with you. So, please stay tuned, right here, to the voice of the mountain and join us on our ascent to the roof of the last continent.
all our best,
Vern