Vinson Team Dispatch: Punta Arenas

The anticipated flight into base camp from Patriot Hills. From MM collection.

The waiting game has begun! We’ve heard from our Vinson Massif team that the group has completed gear checks, had the requisite briefings with Antarctica Logistics & Expeditions, and is ready to head to the ice.

On Sunday morning, though, the flight was delayed due to news of strong winds at Patriot Hills, so the members of the group are entertaining themselves in Punta Arenas for another day. Suzanne and Mike took a ferry to go sightseeing and snap some pictures of the penguins, and Johnny, Shawn, and Willie are sleeping off their jet lag in the hotel.

Willie reports that they’re all having a great time getting to know each other, and are looking forward to their time on the ice.

If you’re just now hearing about the Mountain Madness Vinson-Massif Expedition, it’s an especially exciting group. Suzanne Al Houby is the first Palestinian Arab woman to venture toAntarctica, Johnny Collinson is, at age 17, trying to be the youngest person to climb the Seven Summits, and Shawn Dawson is raising money for the Dream Mountains Foundation. Stay tuned to read more about their adventures!