THIS A RE-POST FROM YESTERDAY AS THE ORIGINAL WAS MIS-SENT
We made it safely to the camp at Union Glacier. The airstrip is about five kilometers from the camp, which is much more sheltered from the wind. (The airstrip is blue ice because the constant wind blowing down the glacial valley scours clean any surface snow.). It is only about ten degrees there, but we were glad to get out of the wind and into camp. At some point before that I asked David what he thought so far, and his reply was "Why did I listen to you?" (But with a smile!)
The camp is a very large operation, with many tents for sleeping, eating, toileting, med care, operations, etc. After a tour of camp, we met with our guide, Zack. He had us out on a 5 km ski right away to stretch our legs. Then we sat in the mess tent after dinner discussing logistics until about 2300. The 24 hour sunshine really messes with your sense of time, although it does also make for convenient "anytime" solar charging of my sat com gear.
Our sub-team is six people formed into two tent groups. They include myself, David, and Zack, plus Sean and Mike (two friends from NYC who started traning for this trip a year ago by hauling sleds last February in Northern Manitoba), and Chuck, a former Army Ranger. The other sub-team includes Omar, the first Egyptian to summit on Everest, and two twins who just finished climbing all Seven Summits when they reached the top of Mt. Vinson this week. I will post this in the morning, since it is after midnight now, and we have a long day in store tomorrow.
I was wondering which of you was going to be first to ask that question. Wish I were there.
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