2005/6 Mount Francais HG & PG Expedition

Team Photo

2006-01-31T15:04:00.000+13:00

The Team L - R
Greg Landreth, Keri Pashuk, Jeromine Pasteur, Laurent Chaveta (rear), Mark Patton (front), Valere Moret, Jude Tarr and Marc Alder.

18 January 2006: Leave Hovgaard Island

2006-01-31T14:46:00.000+13:00

16-18 January 2006: Hovgaard Island

2006-01-31T14:45:00.000+13:00

13-16 January 2006: Vernasky Station anchorage

2006-01-31T14:44:00.000+13:00

10-13 January 2006: Hovgaard Island anchorage

2006-01-31T14:43:00.000+13:00

8-9 January 2006: Port Lockroy area

2006-01-31T14:34:00.000+13:00

Jan.8, 2006

2006-01-09T18:05:00.000+13:00

Back on the boat after hauling the gliders up 3000 feet to the base of the summit of Mount Luigi. Cloud cover in the valley for the whole time, wrong winds and the weather was so hot that avalanches were going off all over the place. Pulled out of base camp on the glacier yesterday evening and got back to the boat about 11pm. Happy to be home. Off now further south, may try to haul the glider up on Hovegaard Island and fly from there. Not much cooperation from the weather and not looking good on the satellite photo.

Jan.4, 2006

2006-01-05T16:08:00.000+13:00

Took a tour to the icecliffs below Mount Francais 2 days ago, returning to Dorian Bay to pack up the gear. One sled of 2 gliders weighed 60 kilos! This did not include all of the food, fuel, tents, climbing gear. The weather has been pretty good, in and out with the ridge to the summit coming in and out of the fog. There hasn't yet been a day that has been perfect for flying. Talked with a friend on the radio who saw another friend who tried climbing Mount Francais, last year...he spent 8 days in a snow cave near the summit! Got us thinking an weighing options and with the weather being as it has been and the super soft snow conditions, we've decided to reluctantly give up the goal of Mount Francais. We now have Northanger lashed in Alice Creek, just below Mount Savoia (Mount Luigi) and have decided to drag everything up there across the Thunder Glacier, and weather permitting, try to fly from there. Will keep you posted.

Happy New Year to all! Northanger crew

Christmas Day

2005-12-27T08:13:00.000+13:00

After a great sail leaving Puerto Williams, Drake Passage turned to a lake, absolutely flat calm, great weather.
Today is Christmas and we are experiencing a white one. Snow is falling while we are out on watch. Sky is grey and the visibility is minimal. Spotted our first few blobs of ice while on lookout this afternoon. Our location is 63 03.81S and 62 17.73W we are in the Boyd Straight close to Smith Island.

Training Trips

2005-12-08T16:00:00.000+13:00

St Arnaud Range May 21 - 23rd

Robert Ridge After a night of 60 knot + winds we awoke to a perfect day to go ski touring

Training Trips

2005-09-18T21:35:00.000+12:00

Mt Robert 19 September 2005 - Snowing. Nice Southerly front came roaring through 5 mins after reaching the summt.

Fox Glacier 22 November 2005 - A week of calm fine hot weather

Mt Barefell ( midlle Molseworth) Radio installation Extreme cold acclimatisation. Fingers got stuck to the tools ( brings new meaning to spanner fingers)

Beeby's Knob. Lady gets into the spirit of the mission and discovers the benefits of a warm thermarest

Team Members

2005-08-30T16:45:00.000+12:00

Mark Patton & Jude Tarr

Keri Pashuk & Greg Landreth

Valere Moret & Marc Alder

Jeromine Pastuer & Laurent Chaveta

Expedition Goals

2005-08-29T21:17:00.000+12:00

Sail from Ushuaia, Argentina, South America to the Antarctic peninsula
Ski and climb Mt Francais (9,055 ft) on Anvers Island. Mt Francais is the tallest mountain in the peninsula
Attempt the first decent via paraglider and hang glider
Sail back to Ushuaia, South America

Sponsors & Suppliers

2005-08-29T20:56:00.000+12:00

Icebreaker New Zealand Limited

Oakley South Pacific New Zealand