She only gone and done it and on Tana's Birthday

What a legend, Andrea knocked of summit number 5 last night. What amazing timing on Tana’s 11 birthday.

But as any good climber will tell you, the mountain is not summitted until you are safely back down.

Lots of accidents happen when tired and not focusing. Go well on the descend and lots of love and congratulations from everyone back here in the warm!

Read the full report here, including the all important summit photo

In and Out of Base Camp

At last the mists have cleared.

Andrea was able to fly into base camp only to leave and start climbing. All that waiting to get to base camp only to leave straight away.

She had a cracking day’s climb and now is just under 3000m. She will stay here for a day to acclimatise before climbing on up.

Read the full report here and a picture

I am on my way to Antarctica, check out the plane!

Today is the day! I feel a great mix of excitement, nerves and anticipation. In just a few short hours I will enter a whole new ice world, which is Antarctica.

This afternoon we will board a polar-capable aircraft and will land on a blue-ice runway at Union Glacier on the Antarctic continent.

Weather permitting we will then move by Twin Otter aircraft to the Base Camp on Mount Vinson. And from there we will see what the weather has planned for us in the coming days and set our course accordingly.

To finally be on Antarctica will be genuinely emotional, following many months of preparation and training. The hardest part of any challenge or adventure is getting to the start line. I would not be at the starting line without the rock solid support of my wonderful husband Pete, my kids Tana, Bella and all the good wishes from wider family and great friends. So thank you all for helping me get to this point.

And yes for those of you have asked if I have had a dental check ahead of this trip, then I can confirm yes I have and all is in order. For those who missed it, while climbing on Everest I got an abysses on a tooth and had to have the tooth extracted with a Swiss army knife and a screw driver. YouTube clip if you are brave enough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_DPqhQl4AM

Onward and upwards!

Here is my Russian Freight plane, capable of landing on ice!

Here is my Russian Freight plane, capable of landing on ice!

My last day on dry land

My last day on dry land. Tomorrow lunchtime local time we will fly onto Antarctica (weather permitting). It will be my first time  on the earth's southernmost and least populated continent and my excitement levels are becoming unmanageable. I need to 'play it cool'....literally!

Today my backpack will be weighed, to check it does not exceed the 25kg weight limit. This is what I will carry on my back as I climb up Mount Vinson (while also pulling a 15kg sledge with my share of team gear, food etc) This means only essential kit is allowed in my backpack, no luxury items. And yes chocolate and fudge do count as essential items in my world.

Onward and upwards!

which way now.jpg

Packing up the gear again

Great news that the expedition ahead of mine managed to summit last night, despite bad conditions, a chilly -45C.

For me it is a case of having passed the kit check yesterday of getting my rucksack packed. That will be collected tomorrow and the next time I will see it will be when we arrive at Union Glacier on Antarctica!!

Meantime I will have as separate day back with some super warm clothes to put on once we land on the ice!

Check out my dark side look, essential kit to stop my face from freezing off!

nose protector.jpg

Arrived in Punta Arenas

Hola from windy Punta Arenas. This is still mild compared to the brutal high winds I will face while climbing in Antarctica. Today I have taken in the delights of this little town which is the gateway to Antarctica and got the legs moving after 21 hours travelling yesterday. The adventure continues…

punta a.jpg
Whale 2.jpg
whale.jpg