climbing is an irrational act it’s like being a professional child the
being a professional child the
being a professional child the professional kid and going out here and
professional kid and going out here and
professional kid and going out here and living your dreams of fantasy we try to
living your dreams of fantasy we try to
living your dreams of fantasy we try to expand and build on the edges of the map
expand and build on the edges of the map
expand and build on the edges of the map we try to bring those stories back
we try to bring those stories back
we try to bring those stories back because that’s what we’re about
this are in Queen Maud land not only is
this are in Queen Maud land not only is it one of the most remote places to get
it one of the most remote places to get
it one of the most remote places to get to it’s one of the most difficult places
to it’s one of the most difficult places
to it’s one of the most difficult places to get to and one of the most expensive
to get to and one of the most expensive
to get to and one of the most expensive I mean the nearest major city to where
I mean the nearest major city to where
I mean the nearest major city to where we’re climbing in this on this trip is
we’re climbing in this on this trip is
we’re climbing in this on this trip is about 2,300 miles away that’s a big
about 2,300 miles away that’s a big
about 2,300 miles away that’s a big statement there is no rescue possibility
statement there is no rescue possibility
statement there is no rescue possibility there maybe within a week or two with
there maybe within a week or two with
there maybe within a week or two with today’s technology but it is absolutely
today’s technology but it is absolutely
today’s technology but it is absolutely the definition of utter remoteness if
the definition of utter remoteness if
the definition of utter remoteness if you’re not completely prepared and
you’re not completely prepared and
you’re not completely prepared and packed and of everything you need you’ll
packed and of everything you need you’ll
packed and of everything you need you’ll suffer the consequences big-time well it
suffer the consequences big-time well it
suffer the consequences big-time well it was it was interesting too because we
was it was interesting too because we
was it was interesting too because we had never actually met right it seems
had never actually met right it seems
had never actually met right it seems kind of like oh that’s really not being
kind of like oh that’s really not being
kind of like oh that’s really not being that prepared yeah we had never met
that prepared yeah we had never met
that prepared yeah we had never met before we went out to went to Antarctica
before we went out to went to Antarctica
before we went out to went to Antarctica and it was kind of like alright how are
and it was kind of like alright how are
and it was kind of like alright how are we gonna get along yes
we gonna get along yes
we gonna get along yes weird we met for the first time in Cape
weird we met for the first time in Cape
weird we met for the first time in Cape Town South Africa as we were getting
Town South Africa as we were getting
Town South Africa as we were getting ready to fly to Antarctica it’s it feels
ready to fly to Antarctica it’s it feels
ready to fly to Antarctica it’s it feels sort of like this makeshift situation
sort of like this makeshift situation
sort of like this makeshift situation you get on this plane you leave Cape
you get on this plane you leave Cape
you get on this plane you leave Cape Town and three hours into the flight
Town and three hours into the flight
Town and three hours into the flight you have to continue on to Antarctica
you have to continue on to Antarctica
you have to continue on to Antarctica because there’s not enough fuel to come
because there’s not enough fuel to come
because there’s not enough fuel to come back so if the weather’s not good or the
back so if the weather’s not good or the
back so if the weather’s not good or the the iced are Mac isn’t waiting it’s
the iced are Mac isn’t waiting it’s
the iced are Mac isn’t waiting it’s you’re committed once you take off in
you’re committed once you take off in
you’re committed once you take off in this plane it’s it’s pretty exciting
this plane it’s it’s pretty exciting
this plane it’s it’s pretty exciting their first stop a Russian research
their first stop a Russian research
their first stop a Russian research station novolazarevskaya or novo in
station novolazarevskaya or novo in
station novolazarevskaya or novo in Antarctica will they’ll catch a short
Antarctica will they’ll catch a short
Antarctica will they’ll catch a short flight to the wolfpack mountains
and then all of a sudden were really
and then all of a sudden were really here we’re at the bottom of the world
here we’re at the bottom of the world
here we’re at the bottom of the world and it’s this totally alien place it’s
and it’s this totally alien place it’s
and it’s this totally alien place it’s like we’ve landed on the ice planet I
like we’ve landed on the ice planet I
like we’ve landed on the ice planet I can’t wait to get into the mountains but
can’t wait to get into the mountains but
can’t wait to get into the mountains but it looks like we’ve got a problem
it looks like we’ve got a problem
it looks like we’ve got a problem I’m just gonna leave it here for a
I’m just gonna leave it here for a
I’m just gonna leave it here for a second right cuz that’s a good-looking
second right cuz that’s a good-looking
second right cuz that’s a good-looking guy and he’s like but big problem no fly
guy and he’s like but big problem no fly
guy and he’s like but big problem no fly for you very good idea but no fly for
for you very good idea but no fly for
for you very good idea but no fly for you once we got there we had a few hours
you once we got there we had a few hours
you once we got there we had a few hours of good weather and these winds and
of good weather and these winds and
of good weather and these winds and storm just came back
storm just came back
storm just came back we don’t even know gosh are we gonna get
we don’t even know gosh are we gonna get
we don’t even know gosh are we gonna get out into the field at all I mean time is
out into the field at all I mean time is
out into the field at all I mean time is moving and the tone is set for katabatic
moving and the tone is set for katabatic
moving and the tone is set for katabatic winds just hammering the landscape these
winds just hammering the landscape these
winds just hammering the landscape these are 8090 hundred mile an hour winds
are 8090 hundred mile an hour winds
are 8090 hundred mile an hour winds consistently going on I don’t know how
consistently going on I don’t know how
consistently going on I don’t know how many days we’ve been here but we’ve been
many days we’ve been here but we’ve been
many days we’ve been here but we’ve been here a long time five five thirty seven
here a long time five five thirty seven
here a long time five five thirty seven in the morning waiting for the pilot
in the morning waiting for the pilot
in the morning waiting for the pilot Louie to come and tell us that we’re
Louie to come and tell us that we’re
Louie to come and tell us that we’re flying I mean if we don’t fly today then
flying I mean if we don’t fly today then
flying I mean if we don’t fly today then we’ve got about I don’t know potentially
we’ve got about I don’t know potentially
we’ve got about I don’t know potentially another week of waiting here here’s
another week of waiting here here’s
another week of waiting here here’s really actually why I guess our best
really actually why I guess our best
really actually why I guess our best guess looks good that’s okay it looks ok
guess looks good that’s okay it looks ok
guess looks good that’s okay it looks ok like yeah we’ll take I think the average
like yeah we’ll take I think the average
like yeah we’ll take I think the average should go and check it off there was a
should go and check it off there was a
should go and check it off there was a little weather window and we loaded our
little weather window and we loaded our
little weather window and we loaded our gear in the plane and just went for it
gear in the plane and just went for it
gear in the plane and just went for it just took off and he two of these planes
just took off and he two of these planes
just took off and he two of these planes crashed we were out on this expedition
crashed we were out on this expedition
crashed we were out on this expedition at this time so it was pretty spicy
at this time so it was pretty spicy
at this time so it was pretty spicy there’s no guarantees at all and anyway
there’s no guarantees at all and anyway
there’s no guarantees at all and anyway on these kind of trips out here but I
on these kind of trips out here but I
on these kind of trips out here but I was actually really excited because I’d
was actually really excited because I’d
was actually really excited because I’d flown over the area we were going to
flown over the area we were going to
flown over the area we were going to about 10 years previous from this trip
about 10 years previous from this trip
about 10 years previous from this trip and so this was kind of this dream come
and so this was kind of this dream come
and so this was kind of this dream come true I’ve been salivating over these
true I’ve been salivating over these
true I’ve been salivating over these photos I had of these untouched huge
photos I had of these untouched huge
photos I had of these untouched huge walls probably the most remote walls on
walls probably the most remote walls on
walls probably the most remote walls on the planet that you can climb and so I
the planet that you can climb and so I
the planet that you can climb and so I was about to get back to those and see
was about to get back to those and see
was about to get back to those and see those again and climb them with new
those again and climb them with new
those again and climb them with new friends and new brothers and it was that
friends and new brothers and it was that
friends and new brothers and it was that moment was coming and we were right
moment was coming and we were right
moment was coming and we were right there the wind was just pushing us away
there the wind was just pushing us away
there the wind was just pushing us away from that plane but Louie Louie brought
from that plane but Louie Louie brought
from that plane but Louie Louie brought in yeah Louie crawled in and just fired
in yeah Louie crawled in and just fired
in yeah Louie crawled in and just fired it up and the funny thing is to our
it up and the funny thing is to our
it up and the funny thing is to our like you think of the wind and it’s a
like you think of the wind and it’s a
like you think of the wind and it’s a very immediate element that’s what it is
very immediate element that’s what it is
very immediate element that’s what it is you know it’s it bites your face it’s
you know it’s it bites your face it’s
you know it’s it bites your face it’s cold it chills you right but then you
cold it chills you right but then you
cold it chills you right but then you look at the power of the wind and when
look at the power of the wind and when
look at the power of the wind and when you land in that environment the power
you land in that environment the power
you land in that environment the power of the wind is really Illustrated I mean
of the wind is really Illustrated I mean
of the wind is really Illustrated I mean you see a landscape that is sculpted by
you see a landscape that is sculpted by
you see a landscape that is sculpted by the wind and this this cornice here that
the wind and this this cornice here that
the wind and this this cornice here that Freddie’s walking next to that’s just
Freddie’s walking next to that’s just
Freddie’s walking next to that’s just wind and time wind and time and snow and
wind and time wind and time and snow and
wind and time wind and time and snow and it’s incredible because when you get
it’s incredible because when you get
it’s incredible because when you get dropped off and I remember getting
dropped off and I remember getting
dropped off and I remember getting dropped off and Mike’s like loving life
dropped off and Mike’s like loving life
dropped off and Mike’s like loving life it’s pretty exciting to be dropped off
it’s pretty exciting to be dropped off
it’s pretty exciting to be dropped off or the next gosh almost two months and
or the next gosh almost two months and
or the next gosh almost two months and just be like wow it really pulls you in
just be like wow it really pulls you in
just be like wow it really pulls you in to the moment of now and so I talk about
to the moment of now and so I talk about
to the moment of now and so I talk about the time is now the time is now but once
the time is now the time is now but once
the time is now the time is now but once you get disconnected and pushed into the
you get disconnected and pushed into the
you get disconnected and pushed into the wild remote wilderness like this you’re
wild remote wilderness like this you’re
wild remote wilderness like this you’re in the moment of now whether you like it
in the moment of now whether you like it
in the moment of now whether you like it or not and it’s just an incredible
or not and it’s just an incredible
or not and it’s just an incredible feeling it’s it’s emotional but I do
feeling it’s it’s emotional but I do
feeling it’s it’s emotional but I do remember that feeling of being super
remember that feeling of being super
remember that feeling of being super overwhelmed when we landed because it’s
overwhelmed when we landed because it’s
overwhelmed when we landed because it’s you and birds that’s it right it’s the
you and birds that’s it right it’s the
you and birds that’s it right it’s the four of you and birds and there is no
four of you and birds and there is no
four of you and birds and there is no other life down there it’s utter
other life down there it’s utter
other life down there it’s utter solitude and immediately we started
solitude and immediately we started
solitude and immediately we started building our camp because those
building our camp because those
building our camp because those katabatic winds we’re coming and we’ve
katabatic winds we’re coming and we’ve
katabatic winds we’re coming and we’ve aren’t we already knew that for the last
aren’t we already knew that for the last
aren’t we already knew that for the last two and a half weeks so we were right –
two and a half weeks so we were right –
two and a half weeks so we were right – it got to work started building our camp
it got to work started building our camp
it got to work started building our camp and in survival mode and building the
and in survival mode and building the
and in survival mode and building the campus it’s a it’s a full day process
campus it’s a it’s a full day process
campus it’s a it’s a full day process you can kind of see us here erecting a
you can kind of see us here erecting a
you can kind of see us here erecting a wall that would hopefully sort of circle
wall that would hopefully sort of circle
wall that would hopefully sort of circle the camp and keep us safe from the
the camp and keep us safe from the
the camp and keep us safe from the katabatic s’right that was that was the
katabatic s’right that was that was the
katabatic s’right that was that was the idea yet you’ll see here in just a
idea yet you’ll see here in just a
idea yet you’ll see here in just a little bit
little bit
little bit we got completely worked by all my
we got completely worked by all my
we got completely worked by all my experience leading up to this day that’s
experience leading up to this day that’s
experience leading up to this day that’s that’s one of the things I love is the
that’s one of the things I love is the
that’s one of the things I love is the mystery I thought I had this experience
mystery I thought I had this experience
mystery I thought I had this experience to create this wonderful shelter yet
to create this wonderful shelter yet
to create this wonderful shelter yet that mystery will keep surprising you
that mystery will keep surprising you
that mystery will keep surprising you and immediately when you’re in these
and immediately when you’re in these
and immediately when you’re in these environments when you’re in Antarctica
environments when you’re in Antarctica
environments when you’re in Antarctica the first thing you that you feel
the first thing you that you feel
the first thing you that you feel obviously is it’s a very tactile you
obviously is it’s a very tactile you
obviously is it’s a very tactile you know experience it it’s very cold we’re
know experience it it’s very cold we’re
know experience it it’s very cold we’re living in temperatures colder than your
living in temperatures colder than your
living in temperatures colder than your freezer at home the entire time and if
freezer at home the entire time and if
freezer at home the entire time and if you can imagine that your your
you can imagine that your your
you can imagine that your your you know you’re dealing with your hands
you know you’re dealing with your hands
you know you’re dealing with your hands in these temperatures right and one of
in these temperatures right and one of
in these temperatures right and one of our ideas was well to facilitate travel
our ideas was well to facilitate travel
our ideas was well to facilitate travel across the ice cap or across the terrain
across the ice cap or across the terrain
across the ice cap or across the terrain will bring down kites will kite ski so
will bring down kites will kite ski so
will bring down kites will kite ski so now you’ve got hundreds of strings at
now you’ve got hundreds of strings at
now you’ve got hundreds of strings at -20 with no gloves on and that does not
-20 with no gloves on and that does not
-20 with no gloves on and that does not work well we it was kind of a nice day
work well we it was kind of a nice day
work well we it was kind of a nice day it was about 30 mile an hour winds
it was about 30 mile an hour winds
it was about 30 mile an hour winds feasible with these size of kites so we
feasible with these size of kites so we
feasible with these size of kites so we started getting the kites out getting
started getting the kites out getting
started getting the kites out getting everything ready and within an hour – it
everything ready and within an hour – it
everything ready and within an hour – it was double that so 60 miles an hour and
was double that so 60 miles an hour and
was double that so 60 miles an hour and putting up a kite of the size in that
putting up a kite of the size in that
putting up a kite of the size in that wind we were already prepared and ready
wind we were already prepared and ready
wind we were already prepared and ready so we just decided to go for it so Mike
so we just decided to go for it so Mike
so we just decided to go for it so Mike like pops his kite up and goes from 0 to
like pops his kite up and goes from 0 to
like pops his kite up and goes from 0 to 60 in two seconds and immediately like
60 in two seconds and immediately like
60 in two seconds and immediately like dumps the kite and falls out you know
dumps the kite and falls out you know
dumps the kite and falls out you know like it was so horrifying everybody’s
like it was so horrifying everybody’s
like it was so horrifying everybody’s like oh my god I had to pull the
like oh my god I had to pull the
like oh my god I had to pull the emergency deploy I mean it was instant
emergency deploy I mean it was instant
emergency deploy I mean it was instant terror I mean it was we soon found out
terror I mean it was we soon found out
terror I mean it was we soon found out it was it just wasn’t gonna work out too
it was it just wasn’t gonna work out too
it was it just wasn’t gonna work out too well yeah this is Mike in the
well yeah this is Mike in the
well yeah this is Mike in the acceleration process like oh my god
acceleration process like oh my god
acceleration process like oh my god what’s happening and the next thing I
what’s happening and the next thing I
what’s happening and the next thing I just see is just like powder everywhere
just see is just like powder everywhere
just see is just like powder everywhere I’m like oh I’m not gonna do that I just
I’m like oh I’m not gonna do that I just
I’m like oh I’m not gonna do that I just said my name is I don’t even think I
said my name is I don’t even think I
said my name is I don’t even think I said anything I just started packing my
said anything I just started packing my
said anything I just started packing my kite
kite
kite I was I was happy to be your guinea pig
I was I was happy to be your guinea pig
I was I was happy to be your guinea pig like totally completely excited about it
like totally completely excited about it
like totally completely excited about it actually what the funny thing is you
actually what the funny thing is you
actually what the funny thing is you ditch the kite right you ditch the kite
ditch the kite right you ditch the kite
ditch the kite right you ditch the kite and I’m like thank you Mike for ditching
and I’m like thank you Mike for ditching
and I’m like thank you Mike for ditching the kite I don’t think this is gonna
the kite I don’t think this is gonna
the kite I don’t think this is gonna work the next thing I see is the kite go
work the next thing I see is the kite go
work the next thing I see is the kite go flying and Mike doing the first
flying and Mike doing the first
flying and Mike doing the first 100-meter dash in Antarctica in ski
100-meter dash in Antarctica in ski
100-meter dash in Antarctica in ski boots
well if I didn’t cut loose I would be
well if I didn’t cut loose I would be being dragged across the ice and just
being dragged across the ice and just
being dragged across the ice and just boom boom I mean just getting work so
boom boom I mean just getting work so
boom boom I mean just getting work so it’s actually quite scary and dangerous
it’s actually quite scary and dangerous
it’s actually quite scary and dangerous to have that kite connected to you and
to have that kite connected to you and
to have that kite connected to you and if you can’t cut loose you’ll be dragged
if you can’t cut loose you’ll be dragged
if you can’t cut loose you’ll be dragged for who knows how long but I didn’t
for who knows how long but I didn’t
for who knows how long but I didn’t catch the kite and we put him away yeah
catch the kite and we put him away yeah
catch the kite and we put him away yeah we put him away and we started doing
we put him away and we started doing
we put him away and we started doing this incredible five-day
this incredible five-day
this incredible five-day circumnavigation and I think you know we
circumnavigation and I think you know we
circumnavigation and I think you know we weren’t prepared for this yeah this was
weren’t prepared for this yeah this was
weren’t prepared for this yeah this was actually I think this was the scariest
actually I think this was the scariest
actually I think this was the scariest time on the trip and we were on we were
time on the trip and we were on we were
time on the trip and we were on we were out away from our base camp so we had
out away from our base camp so we had
out away from our base camp so we had only what was in our sleds to survive
only what was in our sleds to survive
only what was in our sleds to survive for the next maybe seven days a possible
for the next maybe seven days a possible
for the next maybe seven days a possible survival and the winds getting worse
survival and the winds getting worse
survival and the winds getting worse we’re trying to set up our tents we
we’re trying to set up our tents we
we’re trying to set up our tents we found this big boulder that if our tents
found this big boulder that if our tents
found this big boulder that if our tents were ripped and shredded and destroyed
were ripped and shredded and destroyed
were ripped and shredded and destroyed we could at least all huddle together
we could at least all huddle together
we could at least all huddle together and get behind this rock and survive it
and get behind this rock and survive it
and get behind this rock and survive it was it was a really spicy moment and I
was it was a really spicy moment and I
was it was a really spicy moment and I remember some emotions flowing big time
remember some emotions flowing big time
remember some emotions flowing big time amongst the team Keith and I were on a
amongst the team Keith and I were on a
amongst the team Keith and I were on a tent together I remember waking up in
tent together I remember waking up in
tent together I remember waking up in the morning and there were you know
the morning and there were you know
the morning and there were you know three foot drifts on either side of the
three foot drifts on either side of the
three foot drifts on either side of the tent was essentially collapsing on
tent was essentially collapsing on
tent was essentially collapsing on itself it was it was a very very
itself it was it was a very very
itself it was it was a very very uncomfortable night yeah I mean these
uncomfortable night yeah I mean these
uncomfortable night yeah I mean these tents you could set up in five minutes
tents you could set up in five minutes
tents you could set up in five minutes took us about three hours because the
took us about three hours because the
took us about three hours because the wind just kept hammering and biting and
wind just kept hammering and biting and
wind just kept hammering and biting and kicking and it was yeah it was a
kicking and it was yeah it was a
kicking and it was yeah it was a challenge it was a little bit horrifying
challenge it was a little bit horrifying
challenge it was a little bit horrifying but that’s why we’re there to be
but that’s why we’re there to be
but that’s why we’re there to be challenged and it was you know it was
challenged and it was you know it was
challenged and it was you know it was that challenge that reminded me again
that challenge that reminded me again
that challenge that reminded me again why we’re there you know as you say
why we’re there you know as you say
why we’re there you know as you say we’re there to be challenged and we’re
we’re there to be challenged and we’re
we’re there to be challenged and we’re there to tell the story and for me I
there to tell the story and for me I
there to tell the story and for me I remember taking this photograph which in
remember taking this photograph which in
remember taking this photograph which in a lot of ways is my favorite photograph
a lot of ways is my favorite photograph
a lot of ways is my favorite photograph from the whole trip it became something
from the whole trip it became something
from the whole trip it became something to me that spoke to why we were there
to me that spoke to why we were there
to me that spoke to why we were there there’s an incredible amount of energy
there’s an incredible amount of energy
there’s an incredible amount of energy that comes from National Geographic and
that comes from National Geographic and
that comes from National Geographic and we go and do things like this we try to
we go and do things like this we try to
we go and do things like this we try to expand and build on the edges of the map
expand and build on the edges of the map
expand and build on the edges of the map we try to bring those stories back
we try to bring those stories back
we try to bring those stories back because that’s what we’re about that’s
because that’s what we’re about that’s
because that’s what we’re about that’s that’s our heart and soul that’s what
that’s our heart and soul that’s what
that’s our heart and soul that’s what we’ve been doing for 125 years right
we’ve been doing for 125 years right
we’ve been doing for 125 years right that’s that’s it and I remember taking
that’s that’s it and I remember taking
that’s that’s it and I remember taking this photograph and looking at that and
this photograph and looking at that and
this photograph and looking at that and thinking you know I’m inspired to care
thinking you know I’m inspired to care
thinking you know I’m inspired to care about this planet I’m inspired because
about this planet I’m inspired because
about this planet I’m inspired because look at it I mean how special is this
look at it I mean how special is this
look at it I mean how special is this moment
moment
moment how special is it to look out across a
how special is it to look out across a
how special is it to look out across a you know basically a frozen ice sea and
you know basically a frozen ice sea and
you know basically a frozen ice sea and and just and be with your friends and
and just and be with your friends and
and just and be with your friends and hear that crunch of their crampons well
hear that crunch of their crampons well
hear that crunch of their crampons well and that’s the one of the interesting
and that’s the one of the interesting
and that’s the one of the interesting factors we thought we were going to go
factors we thought we were going to go
factors we thought we were going to go on a ski tour and we’re not even really
on a ski tour and we’re not even really
on a ski tour and we’re not even really on a ski tour so it wasn’t snow it was
on a ski tour so it wasn’t snow it was
on a ski tour so it wasn’t snow it was all just deep glass eyes that you could
all just deep glass eyes that you could
all just deep glass eyes that you could see several feet into this perfectly
see several feet into this perfectly
see several feet into this perfectly frozen sea of ice and we were walking
frozen sea of ice and we were walking
frozen sea of ice and we were walking with crampons and boots so our feet are
with crampons and boots so our feet are
with crampons and boots so our feet are getting just completely hammered with
getting just completely hammered with
getting just completely hammered with blisters I mean it was another part of
blisters I mean it was another part of
blisters I mean it was another part of the mystery without a ski tour yet
the mystery without a ski tour yet
the mystery without a ski tour yet turned into just suffering and pain and
turned into just suffering and pain and
turned into just suffering and pain and walking and was beautiful but it was
walking and was beautiful but it was
walking and was beautiful but it was also painful well we left face camp to
also painful well we left face camp to
also painful well we left face camp to try and do a circumnavigation of the
try and do a circumnavigation of the
try and do a circumnavigation of the small range that we’re next to and it’s
small range that we’re next to and it’s
small range that we’re next to and it’s turned into more of just a head down
turned into more of just a head down
turned into more of just a head down sufferfest weathers our biggest enemy
sufferfest weathers our biggest enemy
sufferfest weathers our biggest enemy every time we get a break it blows in
every time we get a break it blows in
every time we get a break it blows in again
again
again there’s a reason we’re the only ones
there’s a reason we’re the only ones
there’s a reason we’re the only ones here the weather can kill you
yeah the really beautiful thing for me
yeah the really beautiful thing for me about just doing the circumnavigation
about just doing the circumnavigation
about just doing the circumnavigation looking for the route is it always just
looking for the route is it always just
looking for the route is it always just takes a week or two to get used to the
takes a week or two to get used to the
takes a week or two to get used to the weather and then you sort of forget that
weather and then you sort of forget that
weather and then you sort of forget that there’s warmth other places in the world
there’s warmth other places in the world
there’s warmth other places in the world you sort of get involved with this
you sort of get involved with this
you sort of get involved with this environment I didn’t forget it I do
environment I didn’t forget it I do
environment I didn’t forget it I do remember that Freddie and I were sort of
remember that Freddie and I were sort of
remember that Freddie and I were sort of giggling in our tent over like this is
giggling in our tent over like this is
giggling in our tent over like this is rad this is so sweet and and I remember
rad this is so sweet and and I remember
rad this is so sweet and and I remember they’re like we’re just gonna go to bed
they’re like we’re just gonna go to bed
they’re like we’re just gonna go to bed we’re not gonna cook anything we’re just
we’re not gonna cook anything we’re just
we’re not gonna cook anything we’re just they were just wanted to get warm in
they were just wanted to get warm in
they were just wanted to get warm in their bags and it was a huge respect
their bags and it was a huge respect
their bags and it was a huge respect because we’re kind of like you know
because we’re kind of like you know
because we’re kind of like you know where’s Cory and Keith and pretty much
where’s Cory and Keith and pretty much
where’s Cory and Keith and pretty much every time they’re not skiing or
every time they’re not skiing or
every time they’re not skiing or climbing or shuttling loads or you know
climbing or shuttling loads or you know
climbing or shuttling loads or you know they’re dealing with cameras and video
they’re dealing with cameras and video
they’re dealing with cameras and video cameras and trying to get them not to
cameras and trying to get them not to
cameras and trying to get them not to fog and cleaning them out and so it was
fog and cleaning them out and so it was
fog and cleaning them out and so it was a huge task and it was it was really
a huge task and it was it was really
a huge task and it was it was really impressive to see these guys work
impressive to see these guys work
impressive to see these guys work together and help each other along to
together and help each other along to
together and help each other along to capture this journey we kind of like
capture this journey we kind of like
capture this journey we kind of like each other yeah it was it was cool it
each other yeah it was it was cool it
each other yeah it was it was cool it was cool to see that he’s alright he’s
was cool to see that he’s alright he’s
was cool to see that he’s alright he’s alright
alright
alright he’s a good guy you know like um but
he’s a good guy you know like um but
he’s a good guy you know like um but there were two basically two different
there were two basically two different
there were two basically two different kinds of moments of now on this trip or
kinds of moments of now on this trip or
kinds of moments of now on this trip or two different kinds of days there was
two different kinds of days there was
two different kinds of days there was either pre joy or there was a joy so I
either pre joy or there was a joy so I
either pre joy or there was a joy so I mean my optimistic state if you’re
mean my optimistic state if you’re
mean my optimistic state if you’re hating life if you’re just suffering and
hating life if you’re just suffering and
hating life if you’re just suffering and bombed and pissed
bombed and pissed
bombed and pissed that’s just pre joy but soon joy is
that’s just pre joy but soon joy is
that’s just pre joy but soon joy is coming but the cool thing of how that is
coming but the cool thing of how that is
coming but the cool thing of how that is you always get to use the word joy in
you always get to use the word joy in
you always get to use the word joy in the sentence so it’s it’s either
the sentence so it’s it’s either
the sentence so it’s it’s either pre-draw or joy one or the other I mean
pre-draw or joy one or the other I mean
pre-draw or joy one or the other I mean this looks pretty comfortable for
this looks pretty comfortable for
this looks pretty comfortable for Antarctica you’re in this shelter you’re
Antarctica you’re in this shelter you’re
Antarctica you’re in this shelter you’re protected from the wind it’s a weather
protected from the wind it’s a weather
protected from the wind it’s a weather Haven we left this base camp we went on
Haven we left this base camp we went on
Haven we left this base camp we went on our tour came back and we come back to
our tour came back and we come back to
our tour came back and we come back to that and it’s gone we have three tents
that and it’s gone we have three tents
that and it’s gone we have three tents destroyed I mean this it took days to
destroyed I mean this it took days to
destroyed I mean this it took days to dig this out yeah it took a long long
dig this out yeah it took a long long
dig this out yeah it took a long long time look at this this ferocious
time look at this this ferocious
time look at this this ferocious katabatic winds have demolished the
katabatic winds have demolished the
katabatic winds have demolished the team’s base camp
team’s base camp
team’s base camp Cory Mike and Freddy will have to dig
Cory Mike and Freddy will have to dig
Cory Mike and Freddy will have to dig out their food and gear before they can
out their food and gear before they can
out their food and gear before they can even think about starting a climb
we started packing up the gear and we
we started packing up the gear and we started hauling it towards what would be
started hauling it towards what would be
started hauling it towards what would be our objective
our objective
our objective both of these haul bags each weigh about
both of these haul bags each weigh about
both of these haul bags each weigh about a hundred pounds you know you’ve got six
a hundred pounds you know you’ve got six
a hundred pounds you know you’ve got six ropes you’ve got three sleeping bags
ropes you’ve got three sleeping bags
ropes you’ve got three sleeping bags you’ve got all your cooking all your you
you’ve got all your cooking all your you
you’ve got all your cooking all your you know food everything and it all has to
know food everything and it all has to
know food everything and it all has to come off the wall with you all your fuel
come off the wall with you all your fuel
come off the wall with you all your fuel everything and it’s a it’s a long hard
everything and it’s a it’s a long hard
everything and it’s a it’s a long hard process to get that moving and this is
process to get that moving and this is
process to get that moving and this is what we were going to climb
what we were going to climb
what we were going to climb that’s me down there approaching and
that’s me down there approaching and
that’s me down there approaching and it’s uh you know it gives some length
it’s uh you know it gives some length
it’s uh you know it gives some length some perspective to how big this place
some perspective to how big this place
some perspective to how big this place is this is about a 2,300 foot Tower and
is this is about a 2,300 foot Tower and
is this is about a 2,300 foot Tower and it was beautiful I’ve never seen a line
it was beautiful I’ve never seen a line
it was beautiful I’ve never seen a line like it anywhere and you know and you
like it anywhere and you know and you
like it anywhere and you know and you just kind of saddle up and start
just kind of saddle up and start
just kind of saddle up and start climbing you can see Freddie and Mike
climbing you can see Freddie and Mike
climbing you can see Freddie and Mike over here and this kind of gives you an
over here and this kind of gives you an
over here and this kind of gives you an idea of the scale of the terrain you’re
idea of the scale of the terrain you’re
idea of the scale of the terrain you’re dealing with you know it was
dealing with you know it was
dealing with you know it was unbelievably huge and a lot of this
unbelievably huge and a lot of this
unbelievably huge and a lot of this terrain was incredibly hard Mike and
terrain was incredibly hard Mike and
terrain was incredibly hard Mike and Freddie we’re doing all the leading and
Freddie we’re doing all the leading and
Freddie we’re doing all the leading and they were you know encountering very
they were you know encountering very
they were you know encountering very very difficult rock climbing they’re
very difficult rock climbing they’re
very difficult rock climbing they’re doing maybe 200 feet a day 200 feet a
doing maybe 200 feet a day 200 feet a
doing maybe 200 feet a day 200 feet a day on a 2,300 foot Tower takes a long
day on a 2,300 foot Tower takes a long
day on a 2,300 foot Tower takes a long time 12 hours of pitch basically the
time 12 hours of pitch basically the
time 12 hours of pitch basically the major crux right away as this rock was
major crux right away as this rock was
major crux right away as this rock was like kitty litter it was really Hollow
like kitty litter it was really Hollow
like kitty litter it was really Hollow and loose it was almost like a
and loose it was almost like a
and loose it was almost like a skyscraper of Swiss cheese it was really
skyscraper of Swiss cheese it was really
skyscraper of Swiss cheese it was really really brittle raw I mean it was scary
really brittle raw I mean it was scary
really brittle raw I mean it was scary and and you know Freddie and I were
and and you know Freddie and I were
and and you know Freddie and I were leading up the stuff and we’re like we
leading up the stuff and we’re like we
leading up the stuff and we’re like we can’t fall we can’t take a leader fault
can’t fall we can’t take a leader fault
can’t fall we can’t take a leader fault usually in climbing it’s no problem you
usually in climbing it’s no problem you
usually in climbing it’s no problem you just take a whipper you take a fall
just take a whipper you take a fall
just take a whipper you take a fall you’re fine on this route we were like
you’re fine on this route we were like
you’re fine on this route we were like we can’t fall it gets basically what’s
we can’t fall it gets basically what’s
we can’t fall it gets basically what’s called an X rating you can’t fall or you
called an X rating you can’t fall or you
called an X rating you can’t fall or you might cut your rope or pull all the gear
might cut your rope or pull all the gear
might cut your rope or pull all the gear out and who knows what’s next it was I
out and who knows what’s next it was I
out and who knows what’s next it was I had never climbed on rock like this in
had never climbed on rock like this in
had never climbed on rock like this in my life my birthday that’s the first
my life my birthday that’s the first
my life my birthday that’s the first pitch of the trip
pitch of the trip
pitch of the trip how fun pieces love luck yeah Freddie’s
how fun pieces love luck yeah Freddie’s
how fun pieces love luck yeah Freddie’s writing the story for the magazine and
writing the story for the magazine and
writing the story for the magazine and he’s also a fantastic climber so he and
he’s also a fantastic climber so he and
he’s also a fantastic climber so he and Mike will be climbing the wall together
I’ll be taking photos which means I’ve
I’ll be taking photos which means I’ve got to be everywhere below them above
got to be everywhere below them above
got to be everywhere below them above them to the side everywhere
the rock is really really bad
the rock is really really bad what’s up brah Crocker worse than we
what’s up brah Crocker worse than we
what’s up brah Crocker worse than we thought it’s been freezing and thawing
thought it’s been freezing and thawing
thought it’s been freezing and thawing and the winds have been chewing at it
and the winds have been chewing at it
and the winds have been chewing at it for millions of years yeah we’re just uh
for millions of years yeah we’re just uh
for millions of years yeah we’re just uh you know thinking about safety because
you know thinking about safety because
you know thinking about safety because there’s a lot of loose stuff uh Puritan
there’s a lot of loose stuff uh Puritan
there’s a lot of loose stuff uh Puritan kind of happen to go ninja style really
kind of happen to go ninja style really
kind of happen to go ninja style really delicate really ballet and just make
delicate really ballet and just make
delicate really ballet and just make sure you don’t make a mistake one little
sure you don’t make a mistake one little
sure you don’t make a mistake one little tiny mistake and we could chop a rope or
tiny mistake and we could chop a rope or
tiny mistake and we could chop a rope or send a big flake down and and have some
send a big flake down and and have some
send a big flake down and and have some some major issues you see Freddie in
some major issues you see Freddie in
some major issues you see Freddie in this photo he’s in the blue jacket he’s
this photo he’s in the blue jacket he’s
this photo he’s in the blue jacket he’s got probably forty to sixty pounds of
got probably forty to sixty pounds of
got probably forty to sixty pounds of metal on him to lead a single 200-foot
metal on him to lead a single 200-foot
metal on him to lead a single 200-foot pitch I mean it would take five eight
pitch I mean it would take five eight
pitch I mean it would take five eight ten hours to go one pitch if not more
ten hours to go one pitch if not more
ten hours to go one pitch if not more but you know we spent we went up on the
but you know we spent we went up on the
but you know we spent we went up on the wall we spent how long together at this
wall we spent how long together at this
wall we spent how long together at this camp yeah almost a week just at this
camp yeah almost a week just at this
camp yeah almost a week just at this camp yeah yeah I mean we establish a
camp yeah yeah I mean we establish a
camp yeah yeah I mean we establish a camp about two-thirds the way up the
camp about two-thirds the way up the
camp about two-thirds the way up the wall put the portaledge up there and
wall put the portaledge up there and
wall put the portaledge up there and then that sleeps two and then one person
then that sleeps two and then one person
then that sleeps two and then one person we called it the GIMP the GIMP position
we called it the GIMP the GIMP position
we called it the GIMP the GIMP position and that’s the person I have to sleep on
and that’s the person I have to sleep on
and that’s the person I have to sleep on the ledge and this was a really
the ledge and this was a really
the ledge and this was a really interesting this is the crux pitch where
interesting this is the crux pitch where
interesting this is the crux pitch where if I’m to fall here the gears going to
if I’m to fall here the gears going to
if I’m to fall here the gears going to pull out basically will hold body weight
pull out basically will hold body weight
pull out basically will hold body weight I’m sort of putting in some gear kind of
I’m sort of putting in some gear kind of
I’m sort of putting in some gear kind of pulling on it then climbing up and this
pulling on it then climbing up and this
pulling on it then climbing up and this is where it gets really interesting and
is where it gets really interesting and
is where it gets really interesting and Freddie is blaming me here and he’s
Freddie is blaming me here and he’s
Freddie is blaming me here and he’s sitting on this Horn of rock so not only
sitting on this Horn of rock so not only
sitting on this Horn of rock so not only will I fall past Freddie if I fall here
will I fall past Freddie if I fall here
will I fall past Freddie if I fall here but I’m going to hit a nice big spear
but I’m going to hit a nice big spear
but I’m going to hit a nice big spear and probably be broken and then we’re
and probably be broken and then we’re
and probably be broken and then we’re going to have to try to get a rescue so
going to have to try to get a rescue so
going to have to try to get a rescue so all these things are going through our
all these things are going through our
all these things are going through our minds about we can’t fall we really have
minds about we can’t fall we really have
minds about we can’t fall we really have to focus so we were moving a lot slower
to focus so we were moving a lot slower
to focus so we were moving a lot slower because of those meticulous moves no
because of those meticulous moves no
because of those meticulous moves no mistake no mistake you know we’re really
mistake no mistake you know we’re really
mistake no mistake you know we’re really really really really far out there and
really really really far out there and
really really really far out there and if anything goes wrong right now
if anything goes wrong right now
if anything goes wrong right now you know where my rope is hung and I’m
you know where my rope is hung and I’m
you know where my rope is hung and I’m afraid to put too much weight on it cuz
afraid to put too much weight on it cuz
afraid to put too much weight on it cuz the rock is so sharp my weight as you go
the rock is so sharp my weight as you go
the rock is so sharp my weight as you go up
it’s very intense and you can see in
it’s very intense and you can see in this photo actually here’s here’s
this photo actually here’s here’s
this photo actually here’s here’s Freddie there’s Mike
Freddie there’s Mike
Freddie there’s Mike these guys were leading some of the
these guys were leading some of the
these guys were leading some of the hardest pitches I’ve ever seen but it
hardest pitches I’ve ever seen but it
hardest pitches I’ve ever seen but it also because the rock was so featured it
also because the rock was so featured it
also because the rock was so featured it would hold snow and that was the way
would hold snow and that was the way
would hold snow and that was the way that we hydrated ourselves when we were
that we hydrated ourselves when we were
that we hydrated ourselves when we were on the wall so we didn’t need to take
on the wall so we didn’t need to take
on the wall so we didn’t need to take water we would collect water from these
water we would collect water from these
water we would collect water from these pockets and and use that and melt it and
pockets and and use that and melt it and
pockets and and use that and melt it and after 10 days we were within a hundred
after 10 days we were within a hundred
after 10 days we were within a hundred feet of the summit you can see Mike out
feet of the summit you can see Mike out
feet of the summit you can see Mike out on the ridge there this is Freddie
on the ridge there this is Freddie
on the ridge there this is Freddie following in the middle and this is me
following in the middle and this is me
following in the middle and this is me waiting and just being like oh god this
waiting and just being like oh god this
waiting and just being like oh god this is so hard this is pre joy again and I’m
is so hard this is pre joy again and I’m
is so hard this is pre joy again and I’m just like
just like
just like I’m done with the pre joy joy is coming
I’m done with the pre joy joy is coming
I’m done with the pre joy joy is coming joy is coming when we got to the summit
joy is coming when we got to the summit
joy is coming when we got to the summit this is a 360-degree view of this on it
this is a 360-degree view of this on it
this is a 360-degree view of this on it you can actually see Freddie and Mike
you can actually see Freddie and Mike
you can actually see Freddie and Mike down there but what happens you go into
down there but what happens you go into
down there but what happens you go into this mode of just celebration and at
this mode of just celebration and at
this mode of just celebration and at least for me that instantly I would say
least for me that instantly I would say
least for me that instantly I would say 20 to 30 minutes of standing the summit
20 to 30 minutes of standing the summit
20 to 30 minutes of standing the summit that celebration leaves it goes away and
that celebration leaves it goes away and
that celebration leaves it goes away and then you realize we’re on this summit
then you realize we’re on this summit
then you realize we’re on this summit but it the true summit is actually back
but it the true summit is actually back
but it the true summit is actually back down a base camp or back home we’re
down a base camp or back home we’re
down a base camp or back home we’re halfway we’ve got to get down now and
halfway we’ve got to get down now and
halfway we’ve got to get down now and that becomes very heavy really fast
that becomes very heavy really fast
that becomes very heavy really fast because it’s really dangerous to go down
because it’s really dangerous to go down
because it’s really dangerous to go down maybe more so than going up coffee
maybe more so than going up coffee
maybe more so than going up coffee flowing and uh we got storage all the
flowing and uh we got storage all the
flowing and uh we got storage all the way looks like it could get real today
the tents are the only thing between us
the tents are the only thing between us in the storm and the wind just threw
in the storm and the wind just threw
in the storm and the wind just threw Freddie in his tent over a rock wall you
Freddie in his tent over a rock wall you
Freddie in his tent over a rock wall you got under the floor and just not succeed
got under the floor and just not succeed
got under the floor and just not succeed there small base camp can withstand the
there small base camp can withstand the
there small base camp can withstand the force of an Antarctic storm
we weren’t really on the verge of life
we weren’t really on the verge of life and death at that point but it was
and death at that point but it was
and death at that point but it was getting close to if the winds got worse
getting close to if the winds got worse
getting close to if the winds got worse and harder it was going to be full
and harder it was going to be full
and harder it was going to be full survival mode it was it was really spicy
survival mode it was it was really spicy
survival mode it was it was really spicy but Mike and I decided that we were
but Mike and I decided that we were
but Mike and I decided that we were going to take some gear out onto the ice
going to take some gear out onto the ice
going to take some gear out onto the ice cap and in this storm because we needed
cap and in this storm because we needed
cap and in this storm because we needed to get everything out there we needed to
to get everything out there we needed to
to get everything out there we needed to get ready to get prepared for the planes
get ready to get prepared for the planes
get ready to get prepared for the planes to come this image you know I sat down
to come this image you know I sat down
to come this image you know I sat down to eat some energy and within you know
to eat some energy and within you know
to eat some energy and within you know seconds the spindrift is sort of
seconds the spindrift is sort of
seconds the spindrift is sort of covering me and freezing me but it I
covering me and freezing me but it I
covering me and freezing me but it I just love this image because it shows
just love this image because it shows
just love this image because it shows really what it was like out there within
really what it was like out there within
really what it was like out there within seconds you could freeze I mean it was
seconds you could freeze I mean it was
seconds you could freeze I mean it was such a powerful moment we were out there
such a powerful moment we were out there
such a powerful moment we were out there for a couple hours shuttling loads and
for a couple hours shuttling loads and
for a couple hours shuttling loads and it’s one of my favorite favorite moments
it’s one of my favorite favorite moments
it’s one of my favorite favorite moments and especially capture of that moment I
and especially capture of that moment I
and especially capture of that moment I do remember leaving and Mike looks at me
do remember leaving and Mike looks at me
do remember leaving and Mike looks at me and we’re skiing some gear out to the
and we’re skiing some gear out to the
and we’re skiing some gear out to the plane landing site he goes so dude
plane landing site he goes so dude
plane landing site he goes so dude there’s this 5,000 foot wall up in bath
there’s this 5,000 foot wall up in bath
there’s this 5,000 foot wall up in bath and Island and I’m like really we’re not
and Island and I’m like really we’re not
and Island and I’m like really we’re not even on the plane yet I was like sounds
even on the plane yet I was like sounds
even on the plane yet I was like sounds like a lot of pre joy to me but and a
like a lot of pre joy to me but and a
like a lot of pre joy to me but and a lot of joy is Anna Lani joy it means
lot of joy is Anna Lani joy it means
lot of joy is Anna Lani joy it means it’s coming it’s before to do it but one
it’s coming it’s before to do it but one
it’s coming it’s before to do it but one of the ways that I always gauge an
of the ways that I always gauge an
of the ways that I always gauge an expedition is how well do you know
expedition is how well do you know
expedition is how well do you know someone when you leave how close did you
someone when you leave how close did you
someone when you leave how close did you get how big you just rip open your chest
get how big you just rip open your chest
get how big you just rip open your chest and get to know each other and it
and get to know each other and it
and get to know each other and it becomes this intimate therapy session
becomes this intimate therapy session
becomes this intimate therapy session with your best friends with your family
with your best friends with your family
with your best friends with your family and you leave you you just never forget
and you leave you you just never forget
and you leave you you just never forget that and it’s definitely the reason to
that and it’s definitely the reason to
that and it’s definitely the reason to go out with friends and partners on
go out with friends and partners on
go out with friends and partners on these trips I mean it’s it’s incredible
these trips I mean it’s it’s incredible
these trips I mean it’s it’s incredible I think you know it’s very special to be
I think you know it’s very special to be
I think you know it’s very special to be able to sit here and talk about this
able to sit here and talk about this
able to sit here and talk about this talk about this with one of my best
talk about this with one of my best
talk about this with one of my best friends and talk about this with all of
friends and talk about this with all of
friends and talk about this with all of you guys and share that experience and I
you guys and share that experience and I
you guys and share that experience and I just want to say thank you guys so much
just want to say thank you guys so much
just want to say thank you guys so much so much for coming tonight
so much for coming tonight
so much for coming tonight it’s been awesome yeah thanks for you
it’s been awesome yeah thanks for you
it’s been awesome yeah thanks for you here
”
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