Ski Traverse from Mt. Vinson to Patriot Hills (via Hercules Inlet).
This expedition was part of the 7summits2sealevel quest and involved skiing over 250km through the Ellsworth mountains. Following remote and unvisited glaciers in one of the most stunning regions of Antartica. The trip is best described by the photos!! The opportunities for exploring the Ellsworth mountains by ski are endless - just contact Darren or ALE if you fancy planning a visit!
26 Dec 2009: The Team about to depart Mt. Vinson base camp at the start of the expedition.
The first day involved finding a safe route through the upper glaciers, down to the huge Nimitz glacier. We took the flat terrain in the top left of the photo towards the Zapol glacier.
On the upper glaciers heading for the Zapol glacier and descent route to Nimitz glacier.
The route down the heavily crevassed Zapol glacier as seen from the Twin Otter.
On the Nimitz glacier (65km long!)
Camp 2 on the Nimitz glacier
Skiing a blue ice section as we entered the Heritage Range of the Ellsworth Mountains.
High on the Schneider glacier after 35km skiing that day.
The route from the Schneider glacier to the Driscoll glacier from above.
Camp high on the Driscoll glacier.
New routing on Mt. Fordell, Marble Hills.
High on Mt. Fordell. Marble Hills.
Airy descent on Mt. Fordell,
A chance to relax at Vinson base camp.
The IL-76 Iluyshin getting packed ready to go home 24 Jan 2010.