Antarctica's best kept secret

January, 16th 2020, abord the “Ice Bird”, Antartica

This morning too, the weather is awful. It’s always like this here.

Yesterday we have been wandering all day long around the icebergs before finding a good climbing line. We were almost resigned to bury our mountaineering dreams deep below the ice but suddenly, while scanning the Gateway Ridge area with the binoculars, a splendid channel of blue ice appeared on the top of an unspoiled peak. Here in Antartica everything is so pure and unexplored!

Our mood changed: from calm and resigned to… motivated but a bit worried! Those are the typical feelings that come into conflict before any big climb. For various and incomprehensible reasons, they seem to be way amplified here.

We have a quick breakfast. Just a hot coffee and a slice of bread with butter.

Everyone is immersed in their own thoughts. Our mind is already there, on our goulotte, so much dreamed during the short and uncomfortable Antarctic nights.

The sea is calm, and the morning fog allows us to barely see the mountains. On the deck of the ship, I am whipped by an icy breeze, which does not bode well. However, we have to go.

Today we won’t ski, not even to approach the summit.

With the dinghy we look in vain for a comfortable landing point to tackle the wall, without any success. We had to move a lot before finding a safe way.

The air is humid, and splashes of cold water hit our faces; I'm frozen and I can't wait to start moving. As the waves push us on the slippery granite, we start to unload all the climbing materials. Dave, our “Charon” get safely back on the Ice Bird.

Now we are alone. Our adventure begins.