Today we were given the challenge of climbing the Martial Glacier in our teams.
Our team, led by Seb from N-Power has seven members, representing the UK, Ireland, Dubai, Oman, Costo Rica and Australia.
After Rope Skills yesterday and our team captain's being given verbal directions to the summit we headed off in the scorching sun of the early morning. The first stage was a gravel track between the forests which eventually faded into the plateau of the glacial valley.
Seeing the Martial Glacier hover above was a breathtaking sight. To know it was where we were headed was a daunting yet enticing prospect and to do it with the 2041 team members is something I will never forget.
As we reached the foot of the scree path we roped up together in a safety line using the skills we were taught yesterday to guide and support each other along the track to the summit. This was a very new experience for more than one reason, to be harnessed to other people on a mountain was a new experience for me but to do it with people I had met the day before and who's first language is not english, we all had to be very patient and understanding over everyone's abilities on the mountain but also their confidence in communicating with the group.
With strong lead from Eimear, the only Irish person on the whole expedition, we found a steady pace and made it to the top safely, this was the most important thing, there was no sense of racing, trying to beat records over take the other teams. It was all about working together in our teams for the first time, finding out how each other works best, and staying safe. To risk injury now would be stupid because it could spoil the upcoming journey to Antarctica. To get into this frame of mind is very important as there is no room for unnecessary risks in Antarctica, to risk injury could easily escalate to risking death, not just of ourselves but our team mates and the incredible 2041 team leaders.
I am afraid this is all I have time for tonight as I have to pack up everything once again for transferring luggage to the ship tomorrow morning. It still hasn't set in that tomorrow we are all getting on a boat and heading south to Antarctica, It is all so dream like and I don't want it to end.
Whilst it is a shame to be leaving such a beautiful place as Ushuaia, the story is just beginning..
Thank you for reading, and a huge thank you once again to all those that made this possible, I cannot wait to share what I have learnt so far with you as it has already been so much!
Oli
