The first woman from Russia on the top of Antarctica.
January, 13.
As we planned, our team has left the assault camp at 10 a.m.. The Estonian expedition , under a leadership of Vernon Tejas has left the high camp with us. As well as Adventure Consultants, with Luis Benitez as a guide . We have agreed upon a mutual aid. The weather was splendid, there was absolutely no wind, sunny. We were not quick, because we have two not very strong girls. But nevertheless, we have reached the top by eight. It is a pity, that Nadia Zelenskaia was forced to stop at the beginning of a summit crest, literally in 30 meters (on height) from the top. She was too tired. The team has continued an ascent, and in 20 minutes we have reached the top. So Nadejda Voskresenskaya became the first woman from Russia which has climbed at the highest summit of Antarctica. We joyfully congratulate her ! We were at four: Nadejda, Igor Fomin, Dmitry Mohnachev and Alexander Abramov (fifth time on Vinson).
We have gone down, at 11 p.m. we were in tents and at once have fallen to sleep. Thus we have celebrating Russian Old New Year! It was the night from 13-th to 14th.
January, 14.
When we have woken up in the morning, the weather has very completely deteriorated. A strong wind, snow. We have decided to go as quick as possible downwards. The weather continued to spoil, and a snowfall began, when we came to the base camp. In the evening snow went much stronger. But the Estonian team has supported us, they have brought in our tent a special drink: kissel with spirit. Weather spoiled more and more strongly, but we already practically did not notice it. It was very good time. We finished only at two o`clock in the morning, there was a real snowstorm.
January, 15.
Having woken up in the morning, we saw that a snowstorm proceeds, everything was covered by snow. Very strong wind, very coldly, a minus thirty. Faces burns outside. Almost all day we have spent in our kitchen tent.
The plane had not arrived, because of bad weather. We have learned, that the plane IL - 76 has not arrived from Punta Arenas with a next croup of climbers.
Later, the weather starts to improve. We are still waiting for a plane. And together with the Estonian team we continue to celebrate our victory. The pleasant moment: exactly in midnight January, 16, my friends have wished me “Happy birthday !”. Myself I have forgot about it, but is exactly at 12 a.m. they have reminded. They sung traditional Happy Birthday and gave me a wonderful gift: a pack of cigarettes which cannot be bought in Antarctica, for any money. Because here there are no tobacco kiosk.
We are OK, greetings to everyone who waits for us.
Good-bye!
