Photo. Cecilie Skog is
climbing. © Cecilie Skog`s website:
www.cecilieskog.com.
The last continent is a cold one, and on average the highest as well! The ice
sheet that covers almost all of Antarctica is the largest body of fresh water on
earth, containing about 90% of the world's ice and 68% of the fresh water.
Mt. Vinson is the highest point and therefore one of the 7 summits. So to
climb the 7 summits, one must go to the bottom of the earth. Vinson Massif, at
78°35'S, 85°25'W is 21km (13 miles) long and 13km (8 miles) wide. It lies on the
southern part of the main ridge of the Sentinel Range.
The mountain is named for Carl G. Vinson, a Georgia congressman and a major
force in 20th century US Antarctic exploration. It was first climbed in December
1966 by a combined group from the American Alpine Club and the National Science
Foundation.
We cross our fingers for Cecilie Skog and her team!
Stein Morten Lund, 4 January
2006
E-mail this
Print this
