Kind of mellow dramatic, but click here for
some musical accompaniment to this post.
Wow, the day is finally here and today I am off to Ushuaia, and the southern most point of Argentina and South America. It will take two full days to get there, but luckily the longest flight to the southern hemisphere is overnight, so hopefully I can get some rest and sleep during that time. I think I’m traveling on most of the flights with John Griber, Andrew McLean and Doug Workman, so with all of us together, it could be a bit of a peanut gallery.
The IceAxe.TV ship to the Antarctica Peninsula (The Clipper Adventurer) doesn’t leave Ushuaia until the morning of Nov 6th, so we should have time for a few days of skiing and stretching the legs in the mountains outside of Ushuaia before the two day voyage across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula. During the time on the ship, I believe I will have access to the internet, so I will hopefully be able to post updates every so often. Be sure to check out IceAxe.TV and Skiing Magazine as weel, because I think there will be update posted there as well.
The ship is due back in Ushuaia on Nov 17th, where I will spend one day regrouping, before heading to Mendoza, Argentina with Glen Poulsen, one of my partners in the next adventure to ski the Polish Glacier on Aconcagua, one of the seven summits. A lot of this part of the trip is up in the air regarding when we will be able to head in to basecamp, since we will be there at the beginning of the season, but none-the-less…will soon be joined by Kim Havell, Dan Smith and Kelli Okonek to make our attempt at the summit. The permit to climb the peak is for 21 days and I am scheduled to leave on Dec 11th, bringing me back to Jackson on the 12th. Internet access will be non-existent on the mountain, but we will have a satellite phone and I may be able to contact Randokitty, who has graciously offed to update TetonAT while I’m away. What a good Kitty!!!
Anyway, the trip will be just over six weeks, the longest time I will have been away from Jackson at one time, so it is a little intimidating, especially since I only packed three pairs of underwear. The hardest part will be being away from the Kitty for so lng, but i printed off some pictures to remind me of her while I’m away, so I can at least imagine some purring next to me each night. Well, I’ll do my best to post updates when I can…so ciao…for now!!!
Pl
I wish you fair winds and following seas (or at least strong stomach, ha, ha) as you embark upon this great adventure to new regions. Be safe and enjoy your turns! See you in December. Ciao!
Good luck Steve, going to be a blast! Let the jealousy ensue……
Thanks Fellas. 4 hours til blast off to SA. Can you say cocktails in Atlanta.
What? Wait, what are us Tetonat junkies supposed to do while you’re gone? Are we supposed to use Wildsnow and Straight Chuter like methadone? I mean those guys are great and all but it’s just not the same!
Don’t get me started. 😉
Small world though. Here in the Sky Miles lounge with 10 others on the trip and warming up for the long flight.
Good luck! Stay safe out there- can’t wait to read/see the TRs and videos.
hello, are John and Elaine DelMonte on this trip with you? If so, I will be following your daily reports and wish you all a safe journey. Victoria and Peter
Have a nice trip to Antartica!
Hi Victoria…met john and elaine in atlanta. Nice people.
Looking forward to hearing about your adventures!!! Rip it up.
If you get a chance, head to 66°33’13.75″S, 99°50’24.84″E and check out the massive cave or hole or whatever it is (like miles across!!). It can be seen on google earth as well as another at 66°36’14.70″S, 99°43’11.11″E. Maybe Jules Verne stuff!?!? But I don’t think you’ll be very close to there.
Bon voyage! Can’t wait for the trip report, pics, vids, etc!
Remember if you see my shirt out there, take a pic for me! 😉
Thanks Rockgrrl! Nice to meet you out east.
this sounds amazing so far. Have a great journey, be safe and say hello to john and elaine for me..
thanks victoria. a great night meeting all the participants today. launching at 3pm tomorrow…the 6th.