12/26/2021 – Mt. Vinson Summit
Today I summited Mt. Vinson! It started as a warm venture, and then halfway in, it was extremely cold temperatures with crazy winds moving in. I was so grateful I was wearing my down suit. While it was too hot for the warm sections, without it during our 2-hour blizzard, I would have had to turn around and go back to high camp. No skin can be exposed, or you will suffer from frostbite. We made pretty good timing considering, and the views of Mt. Tyree are amazing. I have gotten blisters on my feet from the climb, and they have only gotten worse. We are at high camp tonight again for acclimatizing.
There is another peak nearby we thought we would summit tomorrow, but maybe not with my feet in the condition they are in currently. I will decide tomorrow what makes more sense and is best for me. I have to decide to climb up high again or let the blisters heal more and stay at high camp. I could feel the lack of O2 today in the air, so hoping the climb absorbs in my body, and I have a better time on Mt. Tyree. Missing family and friends the most when I just lay down, and my brain goes idol. I am so grateful that climbing Mt. Vinson is done because I didn’t think I was going to last the cold for a bit there. I am so proud of myself for fighting through and summitting successfully. Tonight’s dinner at camp is dehydrated pasta and sauce. I am anticipating it will be good, and I definitely have an appetite tonight.