Tag Archive for: Union Glacier

Mount Vinson Expedition #2

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson expedition team arrived in base camp after a few days of anticipation while they waited out the weather in Union Glacier Camp! After touching down in the Ellsworth Mountain Range, the team excitedly got settled into their camp, ate dinner, and prepared for the move up to Low Camp. The team is in high spirits and ready to get the climb underway! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Mount Vinson Base Camp:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition number two of the season.

Today, our team arrived at Vinson Base Camp (2140m/7,020ft) and we got settled in, built our camp, had some dinner, and checked some of our gear, our equipment for the climb, and now we are off to bed. We had a beautiful flight over from Union Glacier Camp (700m/2,297ft), got to see lots of peaks on the way!

Everyone is in good spirits, feeling strong, happy to be here after a delay of a couple of days. But all is well here and we are really excited to get our expedition, our climb underway here. So hopefully we will be moving up to Low Camp (2774m/9,100ft) tomorrow. All is well here and we’ll check in soon from Mount Vinson!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Vinson Base Camp

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive (Photo by Ted Hesser)

After a short stay in Union Glacier Camp, the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson team has, once again, packed their bags and flown to Mount Vinson Base Camp! The team will officially start the climb from here, spending the coming days ascending the frozen continent’s highest peak. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Vinson Base Camp:

Hey, this is Garrett calling in for the first Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition of the season! We just arrived in Union Glacier (700m/2,297ft) and met our fellow climbers, Art Muir and Kevin, who just came off ski last degree. They had a great ski to the South Pole, flew back to Union Glacier a day ahead of us. Also, we flew in with Sanjeev. So the five of us flew from Union Glacier to Mount Vinson (2140m/7,020ft), arrived today, set up our camp, had a nice dinner, and we are heading to bed.

We’re really happy to be here! It’s just beautiful weather, spectacular scenery, and we are ready and very excited to get our climb underway! All as well here on Vinson. We’ll check in soon!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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See You Soon, Vinson!

Photo pulled from Madison Mountaineering Archive.

The Madison Mountaineering Antarctica season has come to a close after another safe and successful season on the ice! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison, checks in with one final dispatch from Antarctica:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition team.

Welp, the teams have all concluded their expeditions on Vinson, reaching the summit in great weather! I am back at Union Glacier Camp (700m/2,297ft) just waiting for the next flight out to Punta Arenas, Chile (34m/112ft) on the 757 scheduled for January 14.

It’s nice to be here and wrap up our season! It was a great season here in Antarctica – thanks so much to ALE for all the support. We’re looking forward to returning next year!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Departure from Antarctica

Photo pulled from Madison Mountaineering Archive.

After another successful expedition, our team has packed their bags, loaded the plane, and said their ‘farewells’ to Antarctica! The team had a great time experiencing the remote and pristine nature that comes with this special place, all in while creating lasting memories that we will not soon forget! We couldn’t think of a better way to kick off 2023 than on the ice with friends, new and old. The excitement for the next Antarctica season has already started to build! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison, checks in with this departing dispatch from Mount Vinson:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the second Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) team with Conrad Anker – today is Wednesday, January 11th.

The team got down from Mount Vinson High Camp (3536m/11,600ft) yesterday all the way back down to Base Camp (2140m/7,020ft), flew from Base Camp to Union Glacier (700m/2,297ft), and then flew from Union Glacier back to Chile (34m/112ft) – all the way home! So, it was a big day for the team after having summited Mount Vinson the day before, coming all the way down and heading out all in one day!

I’m back at Union Glacier Camp here for a few days sorting gear and equipment, and wrapping up our season here in Antarctica! It’s been a great season and looking forward to coming back to Antarctica next year.

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Back in Vinson Base Camp!

Photo pulled from Madison Mountaineering Archive. Photo: Ted Hesser

The team has arrived back in the comforts of Vinson Base Camp! After another safe and successful climb on the tallest mountain in Antarctica, the team is looking forward to their flight back to Union Glacier and the celebration ahead. As the sun sets on this expedition, another one is on the horizon! Stay tuned for more… Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with todays dispatch from Antarctica:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition team – today is January 4th and we have arrived back in Vinson Base Camp (2140m/7,020ft).

We had a great climb of Mount Vinson yesterday – perfect weather, great views all around, the whole team made it to the summit! Today, we’ve arrived back down in Vinson Base Camp and the team is just looking forward to a flight tomorrow or the next day back to Union Glacier Camp (700m/2,297ft), and onwards back home. It’s been a wonderful expedition and I’m very happy that we had great weather and route conditions, and a great team all around!

We’re looking forward to the next climb – should be starting soon! Another trip on Mount Vinson coming up shortly… Stay tuned!

Photo pulled from Madison Mountaineering Archive. Photo: Ted Hesser

Photo pulled from Madison Mountaineering Archive. Photo: Ted Hesser

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Primed to Start the Climb!

Photo pulled from Madison Mountaineering Archive. Photo: Terray Sylvester

After settling into Vinson Base Camp in the day prior, the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson expedition team wasted no time as they continue their preparation to move higher up Antarctica’s tallest peak! The team spent today sorting gear, resting up, and reviewing rope travel, ice axe arrest, and crevasse rescue techniques. Everyone is in good spirits and is itching to start the climb tomorrow! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison, checks in via Garmin inReach Mini with a brief update from Vinson Base Camp:

Nice day resting, sorting gear, and training in Vinson base camp (2140m/7,020ft)..

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Arrived in Vinson Base Camp!

Photo pulled from Madison Mountaineering Archive. (Photo: Ted Hesser)

After a week full of travel, our team has finally arrived in Mount Vinson Base Camp (VBC)! With the team settled into their camp, expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this brief update from VBC:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition team. We made it to Vinson base camp (2140m/7,020ft) and are all settled in! The team is doing great!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Pre-Departure Day!

Photo pulled from Madison Mountaineering Archive.

Our bags are packed and we’re jonesing to get this expedition going! With good weather tomorrow, our team expects to depart from Chile en route to Union Glacier, Antarctica. The team plans to spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying a nice dinner this evening, before their expedition begins on the ice! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with todays pre-departure dispatch from Punta Arenas:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition. We are in Punta Arenas (34m/112ft); just got all of our luggage checked in for our flight to Antarctica and fingers crossed we’ll be flying out tomorrow morning from Chile to Antarctica! So, we’re really excited to go out and have a nice dinner tonight and the expectation of a flight tomorrow.

So, we’re ready to go! Can’t wait to get down there and start our climb soon!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Team One Departs and Team Two Arrives Vinson Base Camp

Victorious Vinson Team One departs Vinson Base Camp and Team Two arrives!  Expedition leader Garrett Madison calls in from Vinson Base Camp with a recap of the day:

Hello!  This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson expedition season.  Today myself, Jen, and John all came down from High Camp after our summit yesterday and made it to Vinson Base Camp where the Twin Otters came in, picked up Jen and John and brought them back to Union Glacier Camp where they will be awaiting their flights back to Punta Arenas in a few days.

Meanwhile, guide Terray Sylvester and climbers Thomas and Sarah arrived at Union Glacier Camp and flew to Vinson Base Camp today, so we’re all together here.  It’s a beautiful sunny evening – very calm and warm considering we’re in Antarctica.  We’re glad to be here, everything’s on schedule, and nice flights coming in today – great views and we’re looking forward to getting our second expedition of the season on Mount Vinson underway!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our guide’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions

– Instagram:

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Mount Vinson Base Camp

Our team has arrived at Mount Vinson Base Camp and expedition leader, Garrett Madison, provides a brief recap of today’s activities via satellite phone:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson climb #1. We made it to Mount Vinson base camp today. The Twin Otter flew us out of Union Glacier camp. We arrived at Vinson base camp in the afternoon, set up our camp and cooked dinner.  We had a great meal and now were just tucked into our tents and our sleeping bags getting ready for a good night’s rest.  All’s well here at Vinson base camp.  We’ll check in soon.  Thanks!

(photo:  Madison Mountaineering archives)

By the way, it’s not too early to start making your plans to join us on Mount Vinson for the 2020/2021 season next December!  Contact our office for details.

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow the teams as they make their attempts to summit the highest mountain in Antarctica on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates

– Instagram:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking maps:

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