1-18-2010 summit day

            Wake up, and try to get deeper into the sleeping bag. But not too far, cold air kinda lurks at the bottom. So after a few seconds of trying to convince myself it wasn’t time to get up, I got up. A quick “breakfast” of freeze-dried lasagna and get outside. The cold sun offers a bright but not exactly warm side to the cutting wind. Seems like a usual Antarctic day. Alpine Ascents set off a few minutes before us, then we roped up and started. We are traveling in a rope line, Willie-Suzanne-me-Shawn-Kike. This means I can’t pull a speed-record here. We all move together. So, over six hours later we were approaching the summit ridge. It was a long trip through a valley where wind was funneled into our faces. We had all our gear on, and I think it was only excitement and endorphins keeping my toes alive at all. I was bouncing everywhere, with the prospect of my final summit. It’s almost sad, the end of my quest, but I feel so lucky to have climbed and traveled so much this year. Hopefully, finishing the seven will only open more doors. So, upon the summit ridge, we were un-roped, and even the -38 degree Celsius with 50 knot winds blowing couldn’t suppress my energy. It’s cold up here? I didn’t notice. Willie did. One summit photo with the team and out we went. Quick and easy. Reality set in once I was trying to get my skis on. Everyone was descending, and I was alone, just below the summit fighting my overboots off, and my skis wanted to start the descent, and my pack wanted to re-summit with the prevailing wind. Trying to go five directions at once ended with more than a little snow in my mittens. Finally, my patience paid off, and once hour later, after a beautiful icy ski descent, I arrived at camp. Finally no wind and some sun. The team pulled in a bit later, cheers were made, and we passed out, smiles all around.