Vinson Day 2: Base Camp to Low Camp

Our time at Vinson Base Camp was very short lived. After a good night sleep, we leisurely got up around 10 AM and indulged in a good breakfast. Shortly afterwards, we gathered around for a refresher on glacier travel and crevasse rescue. Since there are many crevasses on the Branscomb Glacier, we have to be roped together as move up the mountain.

Leaving Vinson Base Camp.

We then broke down camp, packed up our backpacks, readied our sleds and headed up towards Low Camp (Camp 1) located at 2900 meters (9,000 feet), leaving at 2:20 PM.

Traveling on the Branscomb Glacier.

We climbed in two roped teams: Our guide Garrett lead team 1 along with Tom and Raha. I led the second team along with Craig, Roberto and Rosier. We were missing our assistant guide Sam as he had to remain at Union Glacier with the second expedition team whose members were under the weather and couldn’t fly with us to Base Camp. He’s set to join us in a day or two.

Taking a break on the way up to Low Camp.

We traveled well on the Glacier stopping every hour for some energy food and hydration. It was a beautiful and gorgeous day. While in the sun. We were actually getting warm from the movement and pulling the sleds. However when the sun was covered by clouds, the temperature dropped a good 20 degrees.

Joe Ashkar moving up on the Branscomb Glacier.

We arrived at Low Camp just in time before the clouds moved in and temperature dropped to a cool -31°F/-35°C. We arrived at 8:30 PM making it a respectable 6 hours and 10 minutes climb. We promptly setup camp, unloaded all our gear and got settled into our tent. We concluded the day with a much deserved dinner loaded with almost 5000 calories. After melting some ice and boiling water for our hot drinks, we enjoyed salmon steaks, chicken breasts, rice and vegetables while saving room for chocolate chip cookies and chocolate bars for dessert. With a full stomach, we tugged ourselves into our warm sleeping bags. It was well past midnight and the sun was still shining as if it were noon.

Joe Ashkar & Garrett Madison enjoying some dinner at Low Camp.

Tomorrow is a rest day where we will do a refresher course and practice using the ascenders/jumars to climb fixed lines and how to arm wrap and repel down for our upcoming climb from Low Camp to High Camp.