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It has been an exciting double adventure, even if
strenuous and achieved under severe temperature conditions, worst than
we expected. However, thanks to our technical equipment, we didn’t
suffer any problems, not even at -32° in the tent or -50° (wind chill
excluded) outside. We had to resort to an expedient to avoid, when in
tent, to freeze electronical equipment, flasks, internal boots, etc: we
kept everything inside the sleeping bag during the night. Great comfort!
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During the climb to Mount Vinson, as our was
the first expedition in the season, we had to prepare all camps, to
build snow walls and bath shelters and to dig holes for kitchen tents;
but all these efforts helped us to acclimatise for the summit day (and
to spend our time).
Also the carried load was considerable:
between 70 and 80 kg with sledges on the way to South Pole; 30/35 kg
climbing M. Vinson and during the 1.200 meters of fixed ropes with a
steep slope of 50/55% we have seen “paradise”.
The only impasse has been the long delay
of the Russian plane which had to get us back to Chile due to strong
winds and snowstorms. Winds blowing at more than 120 Km/h have prevented
it from landing in Patriot Hills for 10 days, keeping us stuck,
Christmas Day included. And there is nothing more boring than 10
never-ending days in the tent, in the middle of nowhere, in the storm,
when, what’s more, you have finished all the adventures. But, also this
is a part of Antarctica, an incredible mainland, unbelievable and
hostile until explored.
We are proud to have planted, and let waving
for three days, the Italian flag at South Pole where it was missing
since several years (Italy was not a contractor of the initial Antarctic
Treaty and, therefore, our flag is not among the ones always present).
And what makes us more proud is that two humble “mister Rossi”, the
nickname that a journalist, in a cute way, gave us, have been the first
Italians to complete this double exploit. The manager of the U.S. base
at the Pole and the responsible of the flight logistic confirmed us this
goal, really gratifying.
Besides, they will check in their files to
confirm us who was the last Italian who reached the Pole with skis (they
have not seen one during their 7 years stay).
Not bad! First of the season to summit Vinson,
first to reach the South Pole and first Italians to achieve the two
on-stream. |
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We have to remember that, last year, four
climbers from Valle d’Aosta, (two instructors and two guides) realised
an expedition with the same difficulty but reaching Vinson base camp
with skis (then summited) instead of the South Pole.
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