48 20.48S,73 30.74W
In wet conditions today we travelled 2.2km in deep snow and across rock with two loads back to Camp 3. There has been virtually no wind, an average temperature of -2degC and good visibility. Due to the very difficult conditions and the lack of time we now do not expect to complete our journey across the icecap and are currently considering a revised plan.
Linda & Rob
Monday, July 13, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
The journey so far – taking stock
48 21.05S, 73 31.08W
We are 11 days into our 22 day journey and have managed to haul our gear up the access valley, and onto the Jorge Montt Glacier. The good weather days (we've had 3) have been far outnumbered by days of persistent rain, heavy wet snow, or both.
Low visibility and deep wet snow has consistently slowed our rate of travel. We are currently assessing whether the time available to us is enough to go forward or whether we have to retrace our steps.
Despite the weather and the frustration it brings, we appreciate being in a spectacular area bounded by snow capped mountains and glaciers. When today's snowfall clears we will be able to look across the heavily crevassed Jorge Montt Clacier, to the edge of the Hielo Suc (South Patagonian Icecap) in the distance.
Linda & Rob.
MR
We are 11 days into our 22 day journey and have managed to haul our gear up the access valley, and onto the Jorge Montt Glacier. The good weather days (we've had 3) have been far outnumbered by days of persistent rain, heavy wet snow, or both.
Low visibility and deep wet snow has consistently slowed our rate of travel. We are currently assessing whether the time available to us is enough to go forward or whether we have to retrace our steps.
Despite the weather and the frustration it brings, we appreciate being in a spectacular area bounded by snow capped mountains and glaciers. When today's snowfall clears we will be able to look across the heavily crevassed Jorge Montt Clacier, to the edge of the Hielo Suc (South Patagonian Icecap) in the distance.
Linda & Rob.
MR
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Out of the rain, into fresh snow.
48 21.05S, 73 31.08W
Camp 4
Everything is going well. the team is happy,and traveling well, if a little slowly still.
We have done 3 round trips of 1.2 Km each, ferrying our equipment through crevassed terrain to the campsite. We are moving through deep fresh snow, and need to be roped together while on the move.
The weather is now ideal for traveling in. The skies are clear and visibility is perfect. Finally the temperatures are averaging below freezing, at -2, with a 5 knot wind blowing steadily from the west.
Linda & Rob
MR
Camp 4
Everything is going well. the team is happy,and traveling well, if a little slowly still.
We have done 3 round trips of 1.2 Km each, ferrying our equipment through crevassed terrain to the campsite. We are moving through deep fresh snow, and need to be roped together while on the move.
The weather is now ideal for traveling in. The skies are clear and visibility is perfect. Finally the temperatures are averaging below freezing, at -2, with a 5 knot wind blowing steadily from the west.
Linda & Rob
MR
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
On the move again
48.20.48 S 73.30.74 W
We're are OK, but tired, and traveling as well as can be expected.
We have done 5 trips of around 2.1Km, portaging our gear over rocky terrain. However our visibility has been limited due to cloudy conditions
The rain has changed to Snow, which is faling steadily. The wind is highly variable, blowing from the west. The temperature is averaging around 2 degrees.
Linda & Rob
MR
We're are OK, but tired, and traveling as well as can be expected.
We have done 5 trips of around 2.1Km, portaging our gear over rocky terrain. However our visibility has been limited due to cloudy conditions
The rain has changed to Snow, which is faling steadily. The wind is highly variable, blowing from the west. The temperature is averaging around 2 degrees.
Linda & Rob
MR
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Expedition Working Hard
48.17.06S 73.30.53W
Unfortunately we haven't been able to move forward over the last 2 days and remain camped at 48.17.06S 73.30.53W.
We have been working hard hauling heavy loads across the rock and ice to our existing campsite. This process has been hampered by ongoing rain and wet conditions.
Despite this the team is healthy and feel we are going extremely well.
The current average temperature remains at 5 degrees with little wind and generally very misty conditions.
Linda and Rob
Unfortunately we haven't been able to move forward over the last 2 days and remain camped at 48.17.06S 73.30.53W.
We have been working hard hauling heavy loads across the rock and ice to our existing campsite. This process has been hampered by ongoing rain and wet conditions.
Despite this the team is healthy and feel we are going extremely well.
The current average temperature remains at 5 degrees with little wind and generally very misty conditions.
Linda and Rob
Friday, July 3, 2009
Expedition Finally Underway
After some minor delays we are finally underway and currently at 48.17.06S 73.30.53W.
We are both fit and healthy and everything going extremely well. We are travelling as well as can currently be expected - portaging our loads over rock we have covered 2.3kms.
Conditions are wet and misty with calm winds and 5 degrees Celsius average temperature.
All our communications equipment is working well and receiving/ sending messages okay.
Rob & Linda
Message Sent 8:22 pm Fri 3rd July local time Chille
We are both fit and healthy and everything going extremely well. We are travelling as well as can currently be expected - portaging our loads over rock we have covered 2.3kms.
Conditions are wet and misty with calm winds and 5 degrees Celsius average temperature.
All our communications equipment is working well and receiving/ sending messages okay.
Rob & Linda
Message Sent 8:22 pm Fri 3rd July local time Chille
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Ready and waiting to go
Unfortunately the start to the expedition has been slightly delayed due to problems with our car and boat transport. At the moment we are in staying in Tortel (47.48.14 S 73.32.24 W) but hope to start as soon as we can.
Other than that everything is going well as we are all packed and ready to go. It is a relief to have all of our gear finally loaded in our packs and sleds which are heavy but manageable.
On the drive here we had clear views of spectacular snowy mountain ranges although now in Tortel we are experiencing some wet weather.
I am feeling confident despite a few pre-trip nerves and looking forward to getting a few days done. Every day is 1.8 kilograms of less weight (i.e. food) to haul!
Linda B
(delayed posting by MR)
Other than that everything is going well as we are all packed and ready to go. It is a relief to have all of our gear finally loaded in our packs and sleds which are heavy but manageable.
On the drive here we had clear views of spectacular snowy mountain ranges although now in Tortel we are experiencing some wet weather.
I am feeling confident despite a few pre-trip nerves and looking forward to getting a few days done. Every day is 1.8 kilograms of less weight (i.e. food) to haul!
Linda B
(delayed posting by MR)
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