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12 December 2005, 21:24. Vinson, all programs »

Alexander Abramov. The message from 12.12.2005.
I want to describe last three days full of heroism and tragedy..

Our group has survived two heavy nights in area of camp 2 on slopes of mountain Vinson. December, 9 the group has left from camp 1 to camp 2. Climbers have taken equipment and products for several days. At good weather they planned to try to reach the summit of Vinson (4895m) already in this outing. To be first in this season. But they have not reached a place of camp, failing only 200 meters because of bad weather: snowstorm, full absence of visibility. In result they were blocked for 2 nights in two tents put by them in an uncomfortable place, among crevasses. Alexander Abramov and Soren Gudmann were also without sleeping bags which have remained in lost sledges. They have lifted those sledges earlier somewhere in this area and could not find them in snowstorm. In result they were forced to spend two nights in very heavy conditions.

Alex: “Next day the weather was not improved, and even has worsened. We also laid and shivered all the day. Only was little bit warmer. But to the end of day we felt lack of fuel . Anyway, it was almost impossible to cook at all. And in addition, suddenly our tent began to fall down, buried by snow. In result we have found ourselves in a snow cave. This snow cave, in the beginning was quite big, then became smaller and smaller. … .In result next night, we simply laid closely to each other, shivering and unsuccessfully trying to sleep. The tent was filled up and soon we began to feel lack of air”.

In the morning of 11th of December, the weather was a little bit better, but strong wind remained. It was absolutely impossible stay here more. Alex Abramov and Vlad Puskarev have left tents first. In few minutes they have found their sledges, just in 35 meters from tents (!), and then have climbed to the campsite # 2. It was only in 200 meters from their overnight place. However all group was not ready to move in camp 2. Soren Gudmann tested problems with a stomach, Israfil Àshurly has easy frostbitten. After some discussions, they decided go down to the base camp together with Abramov. Victor Bobok and Vladimir Pushkarev have remained in tent on a former place. They hope for improvement of weather within the next few days. And try to climb the Mount Vinson.

Expedition of the 7 Summits Club (Alpindustria Adventure Team) and 7Summits.com to Antarctica. Mount Vinson climb for Seven Summits Challenge. Team: Alexander Abramov (leader, 41, Russia, Moscow), Victor Bobok (44, Russia - Ukraine) Israfil Ashurly (36, Russia – Azerbaijan), Vladimir Pushkarev (38, Russia, from Siberia), Soren Gudmann (43, Denmark).