Tues 5 Dec '06 – Camp 1 2700 mts

At 20.00 hrs on day 2 the guides decided we’d best make a run for it because we had no food & VBC was just 2-3 hrs away after we broke camp. We radioed ahead to inform VBC of our intentions & they advised us that once again Martin & Olaf, followed by 5/6 others would head on up to meet us with hot drinks & snacks & share our physical loads. This was greatly appreciated not just by us but by the IMG & ALE teams who were still with us at camp 1. Once we had trekked about 2 kms we were out of the worst of the wind & we now looked forward to our arrival at VBC, from where we could, weather permitting someday, fly out & back to Patriot Hills.
When we arrived at VBC it was 23.00 hrs & we were unexpectedly greeted by everyone there as though we were a triumphant army returning from a victorious battle. Such was the emotional greeting we got from all the very relieved fellow climbers & ALE staff there that it would have started the tear ducts flowing again had I not been so de-hydrated! They also had a feast prepared for us of hot drinks, soups of a great many varieties & treats. Once again ALE provided tents for us & by 00.30 we were finally able to consider bed & sleep. But not before I had to attend the ALE medic for an examination of my hands which by now were showing evidence of frost nip on 5 fingers. I knew they’d be OK in time but to be fair, ALE have to check everyone out & record any injuries, however minor. Ultimately this frost nip was to play a major part in the suspension & postponement of the second half of my great Antarctic Adventure…… the 10 day overland trek & sled haul from the Last Degree at the 89th parallel to the South Pole itself. More on this will follow later.

Before I went to the Medics I phoned Joyce to inform her that we were now at VBC. It was 3.30 am at home but I’m sure she didn’t mind & will have slept well after this latest good news.
Sleep came easily by the time we got to our bags at 2.00am on what was a beautiful night at the magnificent location that is Vinson Base Camp.