Helly Hansen

Antarctica Trip Update- Thursday Nov. 13

Hi Everyone and thanks for checking in.  Sorry I haven't been updating the
website from Antarctica.  I have just managed to get a sat email uplink
going so am firing this off after a tremendous day of skiing.  All in all
the trip has been incredible.  We have skied four days already and I am
absolutely blown away by the immensity and scale of this place.  The
beautiful combination of ocean, glaciers, and mountains makes for perhaps
the must stunning environment I have ever visited (and this is my 7th and
final continent).  Throw a few thousand Gentoo Penguins and the odd Weddell
Seal and Humpback Whale into the mix and it is even more impressive.  The
penguins themselves have been without a doubt one of the highlights of our
trip.  They are so docile and unafriad of humans, and are funny to watch
swim and walk.  I have captured some great videos of penguin sex! (it's
mating season)  Our team has skied four days already, which is a success
unto itself.  When our previous trip aboard the Orlova was cancelled, we
weren't sure if we would be ableto ski on this new boat, the Vavilov, but
the Expedition Leader and his staff have been very accomodating to our
overflowing desires to make turns, so everything has worked out perfectly
for us.  The mountains remind me quite a bit of the Alaska Range, or perhaps
the Wrangalls, but with even heavier glaciation.  There are ridiculous ski
lines to be had everywhere you look.  Today we climbed and skied a super
steep couloir across from Cuverville Island near the Gerlach Straight
(Google Earth it!) Jordan Manly and I have been shooting photos every day,
whether we are on the boat or off, and he has put together quite an amazing
collection of images from this trip.  His time lapses are awesome, and his
use of artificial lighting in certain scenes is super creative. Jordan
himself thinks it's the most photogenic zone he has ever shot.

I'm using a new Kastle ski for the first time on this trip, hot off the
press in Austria, the FX 84 came to me just days before I left.  It's a
superlight ski mountaineering ski with a freeride soul that has been a true
pleasure to test in such an environment, so thanks to Sigi and the boys for
getting those to me, they have been awesome.  I am also rocking a 09/10
Helly Hansen Verglass pant and Jacket that is my favorite outfit from those
guys. Again, that arrived right before I left so thanks Mike and Oyvind for
getting that into my hands. And props to Charlie at Black Diamond for the
sweet new Outlaw Avalung pack.  No avalanche danger on this trip so far, but
the pack is perfect for glisse alpinism.

Tonight we are leaving the Antarctica Peninsula and crossing the Bransfield
Straight, headed to the South Shetland Islands for a day, before beginning
the two day crossing of the Drake Passage back to Ushuaia.  Our crossing on
the way down here was super mellow, which was nice for helping us get our
sea legs.  But I'm secretly hoping for the "Drake Shake" on the way back,
just to experience a little full force Mother Nature at work.  So I will
update the site with pictures as soon as I get home to Aspen on the 18th.
The ski crew here on the Vavilov is having a blast in one of the world's
most special and beautiful places.  Hellos go out to all of you from Kipp,
Ingrid, Andrew, Robin, Glenn, Thor, American Dave, Rick, Stan, Kellie,
Jordan, Sean, Mike, Christian, Walter and the rest of the gang here on the
Vavilov.  This has been a trip of a lifetime and I definitely am looking
forward to coming back next year for Ski Cruise 2009 with the Ice Axe
Expeditions team (fingers crossed)

Chris