Antarctica 2012 - 2013

Seven Summits, hello! This is Dima Ermakov from the South Pole. We're OK, yesterday we reached the South Pole. Today we went on an excursion tour of the Base (Amundsen-Scott). It was interesting, of course. Now we are “sitting on the suitcases”, waiting for a plane that can not fly yet because of the weather in Union Glacier. We rest, take pictures. Everything is fine. Best regards!

Pictures from Vitaly Simonovich, who this year climbed Mount Vinson, Mount Sidley and made Last Degree  to the South Pole. Real master of photo !

Vitaly Simonovich – one of the most active members of the 7 Summits Club. This winter (in Antarctica it was summer) he climbed onMount Vinson, reached the South Pole (Last degree) and climbed the highest volcano of Antarctica Mount Sidley. Hat trick! Now Vitaly collects things for the expedition on Everest. For June he plan a trip for Mac-Kinley. And further: Carstensz, Cosczushko andFuji. So, we will wait for new wonderful photos. Especially from Everest. Good luck, Vitaly!

Photo gallery completely … ….

Jan 28, 2013. Kaspersky Team....

Olga Rumyantseva has succeeded in her solo-climb of the highest volcano in Antarctica –Mount Sidley! Olga was lucky with the weather (though you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise from her messages) and transport – so much so, that she is already back inMoscowfull of impressions and with some stunning photos.

We asked Olga about the surprises – both pleasant and unpleasant – the difficulties she faced and the feelings she had after making it to the summit.

Source: http://blog.kaspersky.com/category/special-project/

Congratulations! How was the climb?

The climb up Sidley lasted four days. The sky was overcast; it snowed and was very cold. The most serious problem was a lack of visibility, so any climbing was impossible. So as not to waste time I carried my tent up part of the way twice –1500 m the first time and 600 m the second time. It meant the last leg to the summit was just an 800m spurt. I was lucky with the higher camp: it was warm and there was no wind, which meant I could lie down and bask in the sun when it was shining on my tent.

On the summit of Mt.Sidley

The fourth day brought strong winds that blew away the clouds. But it was very cold, about -25, though with the wind-chill factor is felt more like -35. Everything froze, but the visibility was great, so I could admire the scenery. During my ascent I spotted some impressive snowy “mushrooms” as large as a house.

The climb was easy, though it was hard to call or take photos because of the cold. I wish I could have taken more – the scenery from above was something else! Actually, I didn’t expect it to be so beautiful there. It certainly brightened up my climb.

What was the most difficult part about climbing Sidley?

Dragging myself out of the tent on the day of the climb.

It was very cold, even forAntarctica. My hands were frozen. Everything froze the moment I stopped. But then the wind dropped and I felt much warmer, though my fingers almost got frostbite dialing a phone number on the peak.

Overall, the most difficult part was waiting…for the planes, for the weather…

How do you cope with extremely low temperatures?

I’m not very good at dealing with very low temperatures. The cold immediately gets into me and it can be disheartening. I’m not a fan of the cold!

What can you say about your first volcano a few days after the climb?

I am happy with the successful start to the project. The climb of the oldest, most mysterious and, I hope, coldest volcano of the project is under my belt. Next stop – Kilimanjaro!

Were there any difficulties on your journey back from the volcano?

Well, it wasn’t easy. Even getting to Union Glacier Camp was a problem! The weather changed dramatically, with strong winds blowing acrossAntarctica. It was a bumpy landing at Union Glacier. They’d never experienced such strong winds at the camp – I have never seen such sturdy tents before, and the planes were surrounded with other vehicles so they didn’t blow away. But Union Glacier is fairly close to civilization – there was only a flight to Punto Arenas left. Though, that could have been delayed too, as disaster struck: the Ilyushin, the only plane that flies toAntarcticafrom the mainland, broke down after we’d gone to Sidley. The engine had to be replaced. While we were out at Sidley they had been trying to fix it and had even flown out an engineer fromMoscow. While the plane was being fixed, lots of people from several expeditions were stuck at the camp! I thought I wouldn’t get a place on the first flight. Everything ended happily though – everyone was flown out on the same plane.

What are the first three things you do when you get back to civilization?

I have a wash – you can’t beat a hot shower after an expedition. I think everybody does that first. Then I catch up on my sleep – any bed is a luxury after long nights in a tent in the snow. I eat. As a rule, after a climb we go to a restaurant and order meat, salads, wine – everything we had to do without during the climb.

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THE KASPERSKY 7 VOLCANOES EXPEDITION

Jan 15, 2013

Kaspersky Team

Climbing the highest volcanoes on every continent alone, without any backup is definitely not for the faint-hearted! You’d have to be bold, spirited…and just a little bit crazy. But Olga Rumyantseva certainly isn’t daunted by the prospect. She has set off to conquerMt.Sidley, Kilimanjaro,Mt.Giluwe, Damavand, Elbrus, Pico de Orizaba andOjos del Salado. Now, we at Kaspersky Lab rate commitment and dedication very highly, and that’s why we’ve decided to help Olga in her undertaking.

Olga (38) has a successful career as a financial consultant behind her and is the mother of two daughters, but she hasn’t stopped there. Her hobby of mountaineering turned into her profession in 2008 when she became an instructor at the Seven Summits climbing club. We asked Olga about her passion for climbing and why the 7 Volcanoes project is so important for her.

Why did you decide to conquer the seven volcanoes?

You don’t conquer mountains; you climb them, or you don’t climb them . The number seven appeals to people. Seven notes, the seven colors of the rainbow…seven continents. The challenge of climbing the world’s seven highest summits on all the continents has long been popular. In recent years a new challenge – climbing the highest volcano on each of the seven continents – has also gained popularity. I like that it’s not just some random number of volcanoes but a whole project. Every new summit is a new discovery, a new journey. And it’s something anyone can do, unlike the Seven Summits.

Why those seven volcanoes in particular?

That’s the specific challenge – the highest volcanoes on each continent. Volcanoes really are fascinating. They’re alive.

Of those seven volcanoes, I’ve been to four as a guide: Elbrus, Pico de Orizaba, Kilimanjaro, andDamavand. While I was taking clients up those volcanoes I got the strong urge to return to them myself and climb them the way I wanted to, and am capable of doing, without having to worry about anyone else.

Why do it alone?

Alone is not exactly the right term. I would say without a team, without any backup.

Usually when people plan a mountaineering expedition there is a team where everyone has a role and they all start working together to achieve that goal. And although every person is important, within the framework of the expedition, he or she can easily be replaced. In other words, the group is more important than the individual.

I’m not a team player. I don’t like team sports. I need to know that the result is all down to me, that it depends on me and nobody else, that there’s no chance of sitting on the substitute’s bench.

Having said that, mountaineering is not really a sport. There is no competition as such. There’s no winner or loser. You need to set a target and reach it. It’s important to adhere to your own standards. Climb the way you want to climb. For me, climbing is a way of life, a philosophy…

Do these climbs enhance your experience in any way?

The 7 Volcanoes project envisages trips to various corners of the planet. This is not just about the physical side, but also new impressions, getting to know new people and their cultures. A lone traveler is more open to meeting new people.

I think, I’ll meet lots of new people and make some interesting acquaintances during training and the actual climbs. If I find kindred spirits among those new people, if I see them share my goals (all of these seven volcanoes are in fact popular climbing destinations), then it’s quite possible we may travel some of the way together.

At the same time, I will have everything I need for traveling on my own, so I can keep traveling independently from other people regardless of the circumstances.

How difficult will it be?

It depends. In general, it’s pretty tough: most of these volcanoes have altitudes over 5000 m. This is high-altitude mountaineering, and it requires serious physical training. Just like on any other big mountain, a climber can encounter harsh weather conditions on these volcanoes.

How do you train for that?

Just like for the other climbs: you need to train your body for intense physical activities in an environment where there’s insufficient oxygen in the air. Any physical exercises will do, be it long-distance running, swimming, etc. And most importantly is a strong desire to reach the summit. 50% of your success is down to your positive psychological state. I have that type of attitude: wait, endure and believe in your own strength.

Could anyone do it? Let’s say an office worker. Could he or she just go and climb a volcano?

Yes. But you can’t just get up and go. You need to find an experienced guide and then go. In order to climb, and, more importantly, descend afterwards, stay alive and in one piece, you need to know how to acclimatize yourself to extreme altitudes, how to plan your physical reserves, be able to orient yourself while on route, to know about the peculiarities of the weather in the mountains, the hazards of mountain, have basic mountaineering skills (such using crampons while walking on ice, etc.), and loads of other factors.

The only exception is Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano inSouth America. It’s nearly 7000m high. You must have experience in high-altitude mountaineering before going up to such an altitude. Of course, people can try it without the right experience, but they most likely won’t make it and cause irreparable damage to their bodies.

As for the other volcanoes, they are quite appropriate for newbie mountaineers. Just one example: last year, Sergey Pikkat-Ordynskiy from Kaspersky Lab, climbedOrizaba, the highest volcano inNorth America, without any prior mountaineering experience – that guy had never been in the mountains before and wanted to find out what mountains are and how to climb them.

Is there any special psychological or physical training? For example, how many kilometers should you be able to run or how many chin-ups should you be able to do to go on an expedition like this?

You really need to want to do it. You must be able to endure cold, hunger, physical exertion, pain. The acclimatization process is often not easy for people going to the mountains for the first time and can cause severe headaches, loss of appetite, weakness. You must be able to overcome this, to pull yourself together and keep going on in spite of it all.

There are no exact figures. You just have to be in good physical shape. But … it depends on the result you’re aiming for. If you just want to climb with a guide, visiting the gym from time to time is enough. If you want to climb and enjoy it, you have to exercise regularly – go running and swimming two or three times a week.

As for me, in periods of regular training I go running two or three times a week (8-15 km, or if I have time and I’m in the mood, I can even run 20 km) and swim 1-1.5 km two or three times a week as well.

Doing chin-ups is not necessary. It may be necessary to train for technical ascents when the mountaineers climb a wall. You get up these volcanos on foot. There are only small parts of the route where you have to climb. I can do chin-ups . I can do about three, but used to be able to do 15.

Mountains are fascinating, but they are not meant for human life. Therefore, you have to be able to survive there. And enjoy it.

Why do you think Kaspersky Lab decided to support you? In what ways are you similar?

I think our most important similarity is the ability to set goals and achieve them expanding the limits of your capabilities, even if it’s not that easy. There’s also self-sufficiency and an openness to everything new and exciting – new people, new ideas.

P.S. The Kaspersky 7 Volcanoes Expedition is not Kaspersky Lab’s first experience in collaboration with the world’s highly recognized explorers. In 2009 the company sponsored a group of women who skied more than 900 km from the coast ofAntarcticato the South Pole. In 2012 with the support of Kaspersky Lab, British explorer Felicity Aston became the first woman in history to ski cross Antarctica alone, having set a new world record.

7 Summits Club joins numerous congratulations to Vyacheslav Adrov, who after climb of Mount Sidleycompleted the program "Seven Volcanoes." That is, he climbed up seven highest volcanoes in the seven continents (according the current version). The first inRussia, the first in the CIS, the first inMoscowand our Club. But Vyacheslav have another project. He wants to find a new highest volcano inEurasia, and plans to do in the nearest future. We wish him luck! New high and new achievements!

Heroes of the epic climb of the highest volcano in Antarctica have already left the icy continent and landed inPunta Arenas(Chile). We are waiting for them inMoscow.

Fresh pictures from Sidley:

Adrov in Papua

Paul Nicholson wrote :

.. Slava is only the third person in the world (!) to complete all 7 of the Volcanic Seven Summits - and he is also the first Russian to do it! And he has also done the two poles too! VERY IMPRESSIVE and worthy of recognition ...

Slava is a humble and very classy man, he would never ask me to write this email to you. Instead, I am writing it exactly because Slava is such a good guy :-), and because his achievement deserves recognition!

According information from a member of our Club Vitaly Simanovich, the whole team reached the summit of Mount Sidley. The weather was perfect, a temp of ascent was very slow, because all climbers were waiting for Paul. Vitaly and friends are amazing by the beauty of unreal  scenery of Mount Sidley.

Congratulations !!!!

Photos from 2011

According an information from a member of 7 Summits Club Vitaly Simanovich, 16th of January the expedition set up a camp at altitude 3400 meters. From here they will try to climb Mount Sidley. Our members Vitaly and Viacheslav Adrov, as Olga Rumiantseva (Kaspersky 7 Volcanoes Expedition), are in good conditions and were ready to go in alpine style. But the group climbs in one team, and Paul Nicholson from Canada feels worse and go slowly with a guide David Hamilton.

Photos from the 2011 expedition

Vyacheslav Adrov: Hi Club! News from Sidley. Our ascent with 1400 meters vertical drop, turns into an expedition. Tomorrow we are going to put an intermediate camp at 3500 meters. The main problem - a state of health of Paul. He still can not walk and is in a tent.

Photos from 2011 expedition

Operation for the delivery of a climbing group to the base of volcano Sidley ended successfully. Two of the aircraft were involved in the action. DC-10 was used in order to deliver fuel for refuel. The group flew on a Twin Otter. The plane landed almost in the crater of Sidley. The base camp is set at an altitude of 2870 meters. Vyacheslav Adrov reports: “Camp was set, we had a dinner, now we are preparing for overnight . .... Weather is gorgeous, warm, no breeze. Another two days the weather will be like this. " However, not everyone feels good at that height. Therefore, plans of whole expedition are not fixed yet.

Members of the Sidley expedition: Vyacheslav Adrov, Vitaly Simonovich, Olga Rumyantseva (all - Russia), Paul Nicholson (Canada) and the guide of ALE David Hamilton.

Photos from the expedition of 2011

First photos from Alex Abramov

Members of the expedition to Mount Sidley are in base camp Union Glacier. The weather does not allow to fly on the route. January 16 - this is the earliest possible date for start. Vyacheslav Adrov and Vitalmy Simonovich are waiting for good news from ALE and send greetings to all.

Hello! Now 9 p.m. by Chile time. Our team is, without loss, came to the South Pole. So, we are five. We are at the South Pole. Congratulations to all with Ortodox Christmas. Today we also will celebrate it. Hooray! Tomorrow we plan to fly to the Union Glacier. It is likely the 10th of January we'll be in Chile. Today the weather was really bad. We even got lost a bit in the blizzard. But we managed to find the pole. All is well. Goodbye!

Hello! This is Alex Abramov from Antarctica. Today we managed to get out from the Union Glacier base and to start our route. So, we are now on the way to the South Pole!  We feel great, everything is OK, excellent, we all are alive and well. Today, we made 8 kilometers. It was just the first day, we had to use our work. So, tomorrow we have to go for 12 kilometers. Goodbye!

Hello!  Alexander Abramov reports from Antarctica. Our team of five people going on the route Last Degree.   Today is  December 30, and  tomorrow, December 31, in the morning, we want to fly out  the route to celebrate the New Year  on the way to the Pole. All is good. Food, tents ... Today we practiced how to put up tents, assorted products, poured gasoline in cans, all equipment prepared. We will try tomorrow morning to fly the route.

 If not, we'll have to meet the New Year inAntarcticawith the team of ALE. It is also good, here there are a lot of young, beautiful girls. Good bye! Next time we will   contact you from  to route. Bye!

Alexander Abramov met in Punta Arenasa  a new group. They went through all the procedures and are ready to take off at Union Glacier. Their program is Last Degree on ski.

Edward, Alex, Sergei, Roman in a briefing before leaving for Antarctica.

Another member, Vitaly, is waiting for the group at Union Glacier.

During the descent from the summit of Vinson, the weather turned bad. Severe storm accompanied climbers to the High camp. It was very cold. The next morning, there was not any possibility of going down. Only by noon the wind calmed down and the group went down to the base camp. It was Christmas. The next morning, December 26, the Rangers suddenly gave the command to gather. And soon the plane landed, it took the group to the camp Union Glacier, where the festival continued.

This is Olga Rumyantseva. From the summit ofMount Vinson. Today we climbed it by all team. Dima Sokov closed Seven Summits climbing this ... Here in a fog, we can not see anything at all. Now we start to descend. Hello!

Team: Anatoly Stegney, Vitaly Simonovich, Dmitry Sokov (44 years, the city ofYuzhno-Kurilsk) and Alexander Lozhkin. Guide Olga Rumyantseva.

This is Rumyantseva Olga from Antarctica. Today we went up to the High camp on the Vinson massif. In general, all groups are up here, because tomorrow's forecast promises the best day. Although forecasts are not very true recently. We decided to go out tomorrow for a climb. So keep your fists for us and wish us luck! Bye!

The second group of the 7 Summits Club (Anatoly Stegney, Vitaly Simonovich, Dmitry Sokov and Alexander Lozhkin) with a Guide Olga Rumyantseva arrived in the Vinson base camp. After arrival in the Union Glacier they were almost immediately taken to the next plane. They flied to the base camp even without having dinner in UG. Now they made the first acclimatization outing. Everything is OK.

See photos from the first group.

Olga Rumyantseva

This morning, our second group flew to Antarctica. They are: Anatoly Stegney, Vitaly Simonovic, Dmitry Sokov and Alexander Lozhkin. Guide the group Olga Rumyantseva awaits them in Antarctica.

The weather is good, we hope that the return flight will be not delayed. We are waiting for the return of our team Alpari from Antarctica. They have to go back tonight.

I imagine how they want to celebrate the successful completion of the project “7 Summits for 300 days”!

We are waiting!

Alex Abramov from Punto Arenas