Antarctica 2016 Fly/Sail Expedition

Many cruise can ships take you to South Georgia Island or to the Antarctic Peninsula, but these are mostly programmed tours with limited choices for shore activities.  Many charter sailboats also go to these shores but, depending on weather, crossing the stormy Drake Passage would take 3-5 days each way.  This would make it at least a three week trip or longer.  Recently flying has become an option
We found and reserved a beautiful sailboat boat named “Icebird” with experienced crew http://www.spiritofsydney.net/icebird.  They also were able to arrange flights for the following schedules:

1. Those who want to sail to Antarctic Peninsula, crossing the Drake with sailboat and fly back to Punta Arenas the boarding will be on February 6, 2016 at Ushuaia. The return flight to Punta Arenas will be on February 27.  This is a 3 week trip for $13,850, including food and wine.

2. Those who want to fly to and from the Antarctic Peninsula (King George Island) would depart from Punta Arenas on February 12, 2016 and return on February 27.
This is a 2 week trip for $15,600, including food and wine. The choice for this option must be made early because the available seats for the flight to King George are limited.

3. Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula February 12 through February 26 will give us
plenty of time for cruising and shore activities.  Depending on individual interests, the following is possible:
Sailing and sightseeing
Zodiac shore trips
Kayaking
Observing wildlife
Hiking, skiing and climbing (overnight trips possible)
Partying and telling tall stories

Payment schedule for the Icebird is as follows:

$3,630  Initial
$4,237 July 15, 2015
$4,237 Oct. 15, 2015

Payments for the flights (Quoted $1,750 each way) are additional.  BAE 146 four engine jets are used.

We can also retain the services of an experienced Mountain Guide, familiar with the area, for some additional cost.  This option should be determined by the entire group.

We tried to get a charter for 2014/2015 season, but all was taken.  These trips must be planned and arranged early.  Therefore, a quick response from the interested parties is requested.  We have 2 places left.

If you are interested in attending, please get in contact with OSoot at olafsoot.com  

Heidi Duartes Wahl Dies in Fall

Heidi Duartes Wahl, 28, died on November 15th, 2014 after falling on the classic Yellow Wall (5.11c PG13) in the Shawangunks of New York.

She was first introduced to us at our Spring Outing in the Adirondacks last May and left us impressed not only with her climbing ability but positive, outgoing spirit.

Duartes Wahl was considered one of the strongest female climbers of Chile. She began sport climbing when she was 19 at Cerro Mackay near Coyhaique, and eventually became proficient in trad, ice and alpine, according to an interview with chileclimbers.cl. She had climbed in Peru and Argentina, and noted her time at the Yosemite-like big-walls of Cochamó in Patagonia as one of her career highlights.

Duartes Wahl had completed a Master’s of Health Science in Chile, studying HIV prevention. She had been pursuing a PhD in Denver when she died.

The Epic of Everest at the Rubin Museum Wednesday November 19 at 7PM

Please join the New York Section and Everest Veteran Robert Anderson for the New York premiere of a magnificent restoration of one of the most historically significant films of all time: The Epic of Everest documents the doomed attempt of George Mallory and Sandy Irvine to scale the world’s highest mountain in 1924.

“Spooky, entrancing.” - TimeOut London

“The sequences in Tibet before the climb, of daily life among the Sherpas and their families, are of rare and magical ethnographic value.” - The Daily Telegraph

Capt. John Noel’s The Epic of Everest (1924) has been newly restored by the British Film Institute, with a mesmerizing and evocative new score by Simon Fisher Turner, and with the original tinting restored for the striking mountain sequences.

 “This movie is all about the awe-inspiring visuals, mist rolling off the mountain top, glaciers twinkling in the evening light – and the crowning glory is the blue-tinted Fairyland of Ice sequence.” - Silent London

The third attempt to climb Everest famously culminated in the deaths of two of the finest climbers of their generation, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, and sparked an on-going debate over whether or not they did indeed reach the summit. Filming in brutally harsh conditions with a hand-cranked camera, Captain John Noel captured images of breathtaking beauty and considerable historic significance. The film is probably the earliest filmed records of life in Tibet and features sequences at Phari Dzong (Pagri), Shekar Dzong (Xegar) and Rongbuk monastery. But what resonates so deeply is Noel’s ability to frame the vulnerability, isolation and courage of people persevering in one of the world’s harshest landscapes.

Directions can be found here: http://www.rubinmuseum.org/visit

Vanessa O'Brien on Manaslu

Here are some great photos sent to us from Vanessa O'Brien from Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world, at 26,759 feet. She summitted on Sept 25 and this is her 4th 8,000m peak following (Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Everest).

Distinguished Climbers on the Shawangunk Cliffs Program at Elting

The Shawangunk Ridge is a defining edge of our valley and our lives. This unique wilderness has seduced generations of hikers and drawn climbers from around the world.  The Gunks’ compact but diverse landscape inspired artist Gregory Frux to create a twelve etching portfolio and many oil paintings, which will all be on display at the Elting Memorial Library, beginning October 27th. On Thursday, October 30th, Mr. Frux will also moderate a discussion with veteran rock climbers-- Rich Gottlieb, Jon Ross, Al DeMaria, Richard Goldstone, Chris Fracchia and Rich Romano and Claude Suhl on their pioneering experiences on these seductive quartzite escarpments.  These cliffs have caught the climbing world’s imagination, and have changed lives.  Come hear these fascinating stories! This presentation is free and open to the public, and will be held at 7 PM, in the Steinberg Reading Room at Elting Library, 93 Main Street, New Paltz.

frux.net
artandadventures.com

October 30, 2014 Event at the New Paltz Library

Distinguished Climbers on the Shawangunk Cliffs Program at Elting

The Shawangunk Ridge is a defining edge of our valley and our lives. This unique wilderness has seduced generations of hikers and drawn climbers from around the world.  The Gunks’ compact but diverse landscape inspired artist Gregory Frux to create a twelve etching portfolio and many oil paintings, which will all be on display at the Elting Memorial Library, beginning October 27th. On Thursday, October 30^th, Mr. Frux will also moderate a discussion with veteran rock climbers John Ross, Rick Gottlieb and [to be added] on their pioneering experiences on these seductive quartzite escarpments.  These cliffs have caught the climbing world’s imagination, and have changed lives.  Come hear these fascinating stories! This presentation is free and open to the public, and will be held at 7 PM, in the Steinberg Reading Room at Elting Library, 93 Main Street, New Paltz.

Photos From All over the 'Dacks by Vanessa O'Brien

Photos from the AAC Summer Outing in the Adirondacks

Ausable Club between two heads, from the summit of Giant

John Tiernan and Phil Erard

Purple trillium, South face of Giant

Andrew Miller between boulder and hard place, Rocky Peak

Trillium on descent of Giant to Roaring Brook

Big boulder near Bald Peak, with Rocky Peak on the right

Dianne Lob at Owl's Head Lookout

New Cascade slide across the Valley

Joe DiSaverio and Wayne Wilson

Interesting sculpture on top of Pitchoff

Conor Moran pointing out the High Peaks of the Great Range on the First Brother on the way to Big Slide

Mary Margaret Anderson on her first rock climb

Lisa Andrews on TR at the Beer Walls

After hiking over Bald Mountain, Rocky Peak and Rocky Peak Ridge from Route 9

On top of Rocky Peak on the way to Giant

Bob Hall climbing on Shelving Rock near Lake George

John Tiernan and Joe DiSaverio on Pitchoff

View from Giant after hail and rain storm