In the 2007/2008 Antarctic season I spent 8 weeks in Antarctica working for Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions (ALE).

This involved operating and maintaining camp facility at Vinson Base Camp and conducting environmental and safety 'ranger' patrols on the mountain.

Additionally I made 3 ascents of Mt Vinson 4897m during the season. I took 2 Dutch climbers to the summit on 16th Dec 2007 and repeated the climb with 2 Danish climbers on 21st Jan 2008. Together with two ALE guide colleagues I made a ski ascent of Vinson on 26th Jan 2008. The ski descent was less enjoyable than anticipated due to breaking a binding less than 100m below the summit.

These 3 climbs were the 6th, 7th and 8th times that I had climbed Vinson.

The pictures shown here were all taken on my first ascent of the season in mid December 2007.

David Hamilton