Steve Plain 7 Summits in 4 Months Still On Track
Well in the 20 days since landing on the Union Glacier, Antartica n'route to Mount Vinson, Steve Plain has managed to summit Mount Vinson and Aconcagua. Officially that's 13 days since his summit attempt of Vinson for the two peaks. A pretty decent effort not just fitness wise, but also logistics wise.
Steve is part of "Project 7 in 4" and hopes to set a new world record for the fastest time to summit the highest mountains on each of the 7 continents. What's made this adventure quite remarkable is that 2 years ago Steve had a spinal injury while in the surf, he wasn't even expected to make a full recovery however has not only done that, but has also gone on to already climb Lhotse in Nepal as well as some trekking peaks and now "this".
We'll keep you updated with the big milestones of his trip but you can view his live tracking link HERE
Steve will be boarding a plane shortly heading for Africa and Kilimanjaro before heading to the jungles of the Papua Province of Indonesia for Carstensz Pyramid
Here's a run down on his adventure so far...
9 hours ago
Blog from YB Connect
LIVE UPDATE: Aconcagua, 29-Jan-2018
---------------------------------------------------------------
Yesterday we reached the summit of Aconcagua (6960m) after 6hrs of climbing from Camp Nido (Camp 2). It was a tough slog in cold conditions but we made great time and descended straight to Base Camp in time for their weekly BBQ and too much red wine. Today we're trekking back out and returning to Mendoza in preparation for our next climb, Kilimanjaro.
2 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
LIVE UPDATE: Sunday 28-Jan-2018
--------------------------------------------------------
Going for the summit. Live tracking on this link.
2 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
LIVE UPDATE: Saturday 27-Jan-2018
--------------------------------------------------------
Cracking morning. 2hrs 40min from Base Camp to Camp 2, ~1200m elevation gain. Settled into our tent at 5584m. Going to spend the afternoon eating cheese, pate, salami crackers, Pringles, Percy Pigs, nut mix and drinking gallons of hot chocolate. Our plan is to attempt to push straight through to the summit tomorrow morning, weather permitting.
4 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
What a super day. Did a load carry from Base Camp to Camp 2, dumped some gear for the next rotation and then continued up to just shy of 6000m for some extra acclimatisation. About 1600m of ascent all up. Not a bad day. Now descending back to Base Camp.
5 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
Just been for a short walk up the hill to ~5300m, up above Camp 1. 1000m elevation gain from Base Camp. 2.5 hrs up at a nice steady pace. 40 min down skating down the scree slope.
5300m is already about 500m higher than the summit of Vinson where I was last week. From here on we'll need to spend a few extra days acclimatising to the higher altitudes, following the old "climb high, sleep low" rule before we will be in a position to think about the summit.
6 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
After 2 days of trekking we just arrived at Plaza de Mulas (aka Aconcagua Base Camp), elevation 4300m. Although when I say 2 days trekking, yesterday took us 1hr 20mins and today was a tick under 4hrs so not big days, although we were getting along at a decent pace. Felt great to be stretching the legs and getting the heart rate up a touch. Views from here are incredible. Can't wait to head up the hill.
7 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
Great to be back in the hills and moving again. Today started the trek into Aconcagua, just a short walk, about 1.5hr from the trailhead (2950m) to Confluencia Camp (3400m). Spectacular valley with brilliant shades of red, orange and brown layering the rocky slopes.
8 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
Just arrived in Penitenes. Overnighting here then commence our trek to Aconcagua Base Camp tomorrow for the start of climb No.2.
10 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
Just gone from -32degC to +35degC in the space of 2 days. The heat of Mendoza is a nice contrast to the freezing temps of Antarctica. Good to be back in my Aussie summer attire; shorts, t-shirt and thongs.
11 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
The weather Gods are smiling on me. After a spectacular Vinson Summit we overnighted in base camp last night and got a brief break in the clouds this morning just long enough for the small Twin Otter ski plane to get in, pick us up and fly us back to Union Glacier. We got in to Union Glacier just in time to catch the Ilyushin 76 flight back to Punta Arenas (they only run every few days so incredibly lucky to make a straight connection). Next stop - Mendoza.
11 days ago
Leaving Antarctica
While I am looking forward to some warmer temperatures, it is sad to be leaving Antarctica, it is some an incredible and amazing place.
12 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
Back in Vinson Base Camp. Nice to be back down lower where it's a pleasantly warm -15degC or there abouts. Thick, low cloud means no flights so staying here tonight. Need to wait for cloud to lift so we can get flight back to Union Glacier.
13 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
Vinson Summit. Woohoo!!! Spectacular day. -32degC, clear blue skies and no wind. Couldn't ask for better. Now time to get back down.
14 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
Summit day. Forecast: sunny, temps -32degC, winds light and variable. Expecting about a 12hr round trip from high camp. Watch this space.
14 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
Spent today killing time in Vinson High Camp. Temps about -28degC so a touch chilly but the sun is nice. I've been trying to delay my Vinson summit attempt as late as possible because once I do, the 7in4 clock starts. By delaying the start I can hopefully compress the overall duration. But the season down here is coming to an end so got to move soon. As long as the weather forecast holds true, we'll be heading to the top tomorrow.
15 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
Today was planned to be a rest / acclimatisation day in Vinson High Camp before the summit push but a couple of us decided to stretch the legs and attempt Mt Shinn instead. At 4660m Mt Shinn is the 3rd tallest in Antarctica. We reached the East Summit but decided to turn back just shy of the Main Summit as it was getting a bit dangerous. Don't want to compromise our Vinson Summit by doing something stupid on a side peak.
15 days ago
Mt Shinn
Video from near summit of Mt Shinn, 3rd highest mountain in Antarctica
15 days ago
Climbing Mt Shinn
Spectacular views near from the base of the summit pyramid on Mt Shinn, looking east.
16 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
Another very slow day today but everyone in our group made it up to Vinson High Camp (~3800m) together. Being up on the ridge the views out over Antarctica are spectacular. But it is significantly colder, about -26degC and feels every bit of that.
16 days ago
Climbing Towards High Camp
Climbing towards high camp overlooking the Branscomb Glacier
18 days ago
Blog from YB Connect
Today was just a leisurely stroll up the glacier from Base Camp to Low Camp. Someone said temperatures were about -18degC but felt positively warm.