Providing expeditions
since 2005
26 December 2005, 09:01. Vinson, all programs »

December, 23 the small plane has transported us in the base camp of Vinson. On the Patriot Hills at the moment of our start the weather has again deteriorated. Very strong wind has risen. Good weather has stood no more than one day. Just before our start, a plane with the Chinese expedition has returned. This expedition has flown in area of Vinson only December, 17. But they have successfully climbed the top. They needed only 4 days for it. When on Patriot Hills there was a snowstorm, on Vinson there was an ideal weather. In only 200 kms ! Now all members of our small team Alexander Abramov, Artur Karapetian (Russia-Armenia) and Vins Bousselair (USA – Colorado) are in the base camp and started preparation for an ascent.

Artur Karapetyan
Vince Bousselair


December, 24. We have put a fur-tree, there will be the Christmas next night. We have placed on it a flag of Russia, a flag of the Adventure Team Alpindustria, a flag of the 7 Summits -Club, a flag of Armenia, a flag of USA. Since morning - good weather. In the base camp now there are about 26 persons. About noon, when has become warmer, all climbers have left camp practically simultaneously: teams of Amical, Alpine Ascents with guide Vernon, who will work here all season, a group of our old British friend Victor Saunders, and also guides ALE - with some clients.

Today pressure sharply began to fall, but we could pass from base camp to camp 1. And in last half of way we went in a fog, fortunately, the track was visible. When we came in camp 1, we have lodged in "fortress" which have constructed by Swiss group (firm Kobler) of starting . They have left her to me for further use. Here there is a place for two tents, and also system of communications, underground passages, underground store room, a underground kitchen-dining room. It was constructed when our team fought several days with a bad weather below camp 2. And all other expeditions quietly sat in camp 1. At this time Swiss have made this smart fortress. Many Thanks !

Our team spirit is high. We went not worse and not better others. We have lifted in camp of 1 quite a lot of products, fuel, tent, personal equipment. We would like to go in camp 2 tomorrow. But, unfortunately, pressure quickly falls and nobody knows …