Day 12 15.12.22 - The top of Antarctica! 6/7 summits of the world conquered.

December 15, 2022

AM Update

Lovely sunny day. No wind. We should have had a day of rest but because the weather is good we shall attempt to summit. 14km round trip. 1000m ascent, from 3800m to 4800m, the summit. The only good news is that the backpack is slightly lighter at 15 kg, as we are just carrying food, water and heavy gear in case of weather changes or the wind picking up.

PM Update

The round trip was 11 hours. Another long day started at 11:30am and finished at 10:30pm. The ascent was very painful - Rowena almost fainted. Steve felt the effect of the previous day and was not well just close to the last ridge. In my 6 and half hour ascent I questioned why I like this sport. We all suffered along the way.

But we all summited. Rowena, Steve and I with Celine and Nate the ranger. Sonia and Jason with JB. Saray with Eli. As we were few minutes from each other and the weather on the summit was amazingly gorgeous, we spent half an hour celebrating - lots of hugs, lots of tears, lots of laughter. It is amazing how the mountains can bring together so many people from different backgrounds and life histories. Spending long hours in the kitchen tent with complete strangers (waiting for the good weather), you come out with deep knowledge of their lives and making some new friends.

Made the usual videos and pictures on the summit. Hopefully they will be alright. Also took a picture of Axel, to celebrate his memory and our friendship.

Well, it’s 6 out of 7 summits. What next……..?

PS: Rob, Kenton and Don not only summited through a different route but decided to go back all the way back down to base camp. A 16 hour journey and probably 20km. What an accomplishment.

PPS: Sensormatic picture on the summit with Eli Potter - Lydia’s brother!!!