Base Camp!

Hello from Base Camp! Everyone is comfortably tucked in here now. Very fun
trek up yesterday, and part of the team came in this morning. Perfect
weather, just a few afternoon clouds. Its been busy setting up our whole
solar power/lighting/communications system. And now, our first report out
from Base Camp! We'll be regularly updating things now. The trekking team is
here also tonight- Linda, Julia, Izabella, Robin and Jona. They will be here
a couple more nights before heading back down to the lowlands (and warmer
temps!). Jona plans to stay a little while longer to climb Lobouche on her
way out.

The climbing team is jazzed to be here and all feeling super good. We had a
meeting today with our Sherpa team, who will be a major part of our
expedition. This is the same Sherpa team that have been with me on many
expeditions now. Could not ask for a better team!

Hope all is good at home for everyone.

Scott Woolums reporting from Everest Base Camp!

On Our Way!

In Namche Bazaar now. The whole team is here after a great hike today up to
Khumjung Village just above Namche. To catchup, we flew in on schedule, sort
of. Only a 6 hour wait in the airport on the 8th trying to fly in. That's
Nepal, hurry up and wait! So we have quite a team, actually 2 teams here
now. The climbing team- Cindy Abbott, Vivian Rigney, Ania Lichota, Paul and
Denise Fejtk, also Bill Allen and myself. And the trekking team- Linda
Unwin, Julia Bell, Izabela Spero, Jona Price and Robin McGregor. Completely
fun group! We are definitely having a blast on the first couple days of our
trek into Everest Base Camp. All our equipment and supplies are now in Base
Camp with our Sherpa team. Enjoying this afternoon in the Everest Bakery.
Internet, lattes and good friends! We will now be posting regular reports
along the way. Scott Woolums reporting from Namche, Nepal.

Off to Lukla!

Tomorrow morning we are scheduled to fly into Lukla. Everyone is excited to
get out on the trek at this point after months of preparations and training.
Enjoyed a huge dinner out at the Roadhouse, a local favorite. Today we were
issued with our Everest expedition permit and an Liaison Officer. Always
interesting to meet the Minister of Tourisim for Nepal! So off we go! Scott
reporting from Kathmandu!

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Enjoying Kathmandu...

Namaste from Kathmandu! Scott here, starting our live Everest reports. We
will be posting reports as often as possible so check back for the most up
to date news following our teams progress. Life is dusty, exotic and busy
right now. Adjusting to an 11 hour time change, sorting lots of gear and
bags, double checking electronics, packing barrels. It never stops here.
Lots of friends to catch up with and going over hundreds of details before
we go into Everest. Its all fun but quite busy. Thanks for following the:
Mountain Trip Everest 2010 Expedition Reports!

Scott reporting from Kathmandu, Nepal

It certainly has been busy getting everything ready for our upcoming Everest expedition. Lots going on but everything is under control and on schedule. I am going over to Kathmandu March 30^th to prepare the last of the loads into Base Camp. Most of the team is arriving a few days later. Very much looking forward to another great season on Everest. So we will be posting reports regularly here throughout the expedition. So off we go…..  Scott Woolums- Reporting from Hood River, Oregon

 

 

Bolivia 2010

 

Some photos from our recent trip to Bolivia! Awesome country. Simply amazing what you can see and do in a short time there. Lots of rain in the wet season, but we managed to climb Huayana Potosi, 20000 ft. visit Lake Titticaca, do some rock climbing and visit the Amazon! Really great trip! Now next up…Mt Everest!  Scott Woolums- Reporting from Hood River, Oregon…for a few more days!

 

Great Season in Antarctica!

Good to be home now! So unpacking, washing and throwing things in bags for a quick trip to Bolivia next! Yep, off to explore the Cordillera Real. So a little time here for some skiing (awesome season in the NW!) then off to Bolivia on Feb 16^th. Scott Woolums- Reporting from Hood River, Oregon

Down from a quite sporty summit!

Just back this afternoon from Vinson. Third summit this year, whew! A busy
season and quite a windy summit. So everything is wrapping up here with this
last climb. In the next few days we will be breaking down Vinson Base Camp
and flying out to Patriot Hills, then with all the guides here, over to the
new runway at the Union Glacier. Lots to do in the next couple weeks.
Scheduled to fly back to Chile on Jan 31st, with good weather! That will be
the last flight out from Antarctica! So -note to self- Do not miss that
flight! Have 11 more days on the ice working with some good friends. Should
be an adventure as there is a lot to explore over on the Union Gl. Wishing
everyone warm thoughts! Next up Bolivia Feb 16th...

Scott
From Vinson Base Camp!

From Vinson Base Camp!

Enjoying some down time here in camp. Very nice actually as so far this
season has been solid work, ski, climb, kite! Last few days have been
putting in more and more tracks above Vinson Base Camp in excellent powder.
As much as we can actually. Today we'll probably ski over to Penguin Peak! A
small peak on the edge of the huge Nimitz Glacier. 3 guides are now up near
the summit of Mt Shinn today. I am managing Vinson Base Camp now so have to
stick around. It been some of the best and warmest weather I have seen in
Antarctica the last few days. Very nice. Tee shirts in the -6 degrees
celcius temps, hot sun and very little wind. The flights coming in have been
delayed now for 2 days and the forecast is still for winds at Patriot Hills
which is why things are delayed. No problems here as we have plenty to do
and/or not do! All the comforts of home more or less. A new shower for the
staff here, heaters, movies, email, skiing even have some fresh lettuce and
veges! Also some good Chilean Wine. Quite cozy all up!

I will be off to Vinson once more as soon as the next Illyshin-76 Cargo Jet
arrives with the next groups. Should be fun as I have 2 clients for this
next climb. After that we will be buttoning up camp here on the Branscomb
Glacier and being shuttled over to the new blue ice runway on the Union
Glacier. Lots to do there as all operations may be moved there at the end of
the season. We have to setup a comprehensive safety program for the staff,
check safe travel routes, and hopefully squeeze in a few climbs and ski
tours.

Photo from the ski hill behind Vinson Base that slid after a lot of new snow
a week before. Very unusual for Antarctica. Our best ski line came right
down the center of the face, fortunately the lower part has been determined
to be more stable!

Missing home!

Scott

Enjoying Antarctica!

Wahoo! Back in Vinson Base Camp again after another summit. Very good trip
up and down in 4 days. So half way through the season now and looking
forward to the rest. I have one more trip up Vinson, then some time over at
the Union Glacier, the new blue ice runway that all operations are being
moved to at the end of the season. Quick update, the skiing has been
amazing! Just behind camp we have a 2400 ft. vertical peak that really does
have some of the lightest powder on earth! Just back from a run this
morning. Have been kiting about 10 days so far. It's a bit hit and miss with
the wind here at Vinson Base Camp. Working with some great staff here. I am
the only American actually. So have a few rest days to recover before the
next round.

Hope all is good back home. Miss being home! But then very much appreciate
Antarctica, remote and beautiful, like no other place in the world!

Scott
Vinson Base Camp

Merry Christmas from Vinson Summit!

It's Christmas Eve here at Vinson Base Camp. Hopefully Santa Claus gets down
to the south pole too! Just back from a great trip up Vinson. Paul, Denise
and I summited Vinson on the 22nd of December. Good weather up to summit
day, then some cloud and cold wind, burr! Now its enjoying Base Camp life
until we have good weather for flying. Its been completely zero vizability
since getting into Base Camp. Hopefully tomorrow. Spent part of today
sledding near camp, good fun for Christmas Eve! Thinking of home and wishing
all a very happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas from Antarctica!

Scott

Yahoo in Antarctica Now!

Were out at Vinson Base Camp now after a perfect series of connections from
Punta Arenas, Chile thru Ushia, Argentina then onto Patriot Hills Base Camp
and out to Vinson Base Camp here in the Ellsworth Mountains. Simply amazing.
So here we are getting packed and ready now to head for Camp 1 tomorrow
morning. This has been some of the best weather I have seen here in
Antarctica. Sunny, no wind, hot sun. This morning enjoyed several runs on
the local ski hill. 2500 vert, 6" of the lightest snow on earth! Lot of
people say that, but I can promise you it really was! The snow is covered in
piles of giant feathers and sparkles! We are skiing up this trip and I am
climbing with Paul and Denise who are very happy to be here. Managed a 6
hour hike up the Patriot Hills yesterday just before flying out to Vinson.
That was great a 5 mile alpine ridge with views of the Transantarctic range,
out towards the South Pole and over to the Hercules Inlet. So super busy,
lots of adventures and we have only been here about 50 hours! Will post
another report when we are back down here to Vinson Base Camp on about the
24th, for Christmas.

Happy Holidays and enjoying a White Christmas Season!

Scott

Vinson Base Camp

Down in Chile!

Rainy and crazy busy getting the big jet loaded and all the gear ready to go. Just a note, I will not be checking comments on this for the next 7 weeks so. Everything is going well except getting stuck for a night on the way south. So now have evn less time to pull it all together. Will be updating this via email from Antarctica. Now we wait to see if the weather holds to fly south from here tomorrow!Scott

Just about Ready!

Everything is comming together somehow for 7 weeks in Antarctica. A busy last few days. SUper cold here in Oregon, 10 degrees this morning. So packing in the garage this morning is good training! First up will be a Vinson trip with Paul and Denise, see their blog http://www.fejteksevensummits.blogspot.com/ . Then not sure of my exact schedule. Have 3 new kites and really looking forward to kiting at Patriot Hills and Vinson Base Camp. Lots of good friends will be down this season. Sunday morning will be off to Chile and Punta ARenas, then the flight into Patriot Hills is scheduled for Dec 16th, with a fair bit of luck! Stay tuned here and will update with news and hopefully photos. For any Everest questions, talk with Bill or Todd at Mt Trip. Off to the Ice!! Scott

Lots of Snow in the NW!

Yahoo! Its been snowing and have been all over it! Backcountry and inbounds. Been good to get some time in before heading off to Antarctica. Will be flying down on Dec 13^th to Punta Arenas, then south from there on the first Illyshin to Patriot Hills. Not sure exactly of my schedule other than will be guiding Vinson straight away. I will keep this updated from the ice, so stay tuned and will try to send photos out. Good time to connect if you need to! I will be back around Feb 4th till the Everest season. Scott

In Moscow After a Great Elbrus Summit!

Yahoo! Just back from the south of Russia and a great trip to Elbrus. Something like my 14th summit! Sonow we fly to Isntanbul and onto Krygistan to head for Peak Lenin. Will be back home around Aug 22. Scott

In Moscow, Russia Today!

Waiting here to start our Elbrus Expedition. Yahoo! Hot and sunny! @ weeks here enjoying the Russian Alps, very beautiful place and of course a little hike up Elbrus 18,500ft. Will post some photos soon! Cheers! Scott

Photo from last year on Elbrus summit!