Ellsworth Mountain Safari
Patriot Hills Traverse
A day of mountaineering and ski training on the Patriot Hills in the Southern Ellsworth Mountains, Antarctica
Mount Simmons 1590m
Our successful route on the interesting mixed North Face of Mount Simmons in the Independence Range
Mount Simmons
Dominic near the fine summit of Mount Simmons (named after a U.S. airman who dies in 1966 in an LC-47 crash on the Ross Ice Shelf). Head of the Horseshoe Valley behyond.
Approaching Mount Fordell
15km Ski-doo journey from Patriot Hills Base Camp to attempt the West Ridge of Mount Fordell, Marble Hills, Southern Ellsworts
West Ridge of Mount Fordell
The superb alpine objective of the West Ridge of the West Peak of Mount Fordell, Southern Ellsworths
Beitzel Peak
Dominic approaching the summit of Beitzel Peak in the Western Marble Range, Southern Ellsworth's. The striking rock peak behind is 'The Minaret' first climbed by Conrad Anker and Alex Lowe in 1998 (at 5.10).
The Ellsworth Safari
A.L.E. map detailing our safari journey through the Ellsworth's detailing our ski-doo, sledging, climbing and camping activities.
Ski-doo Drop off
Sean and Jane took us 60 Km along the Patriot Hills - Union Glacier "road". A superb journey to start our Safari with. The Minaret is visible again on the right.
Into the Henderson Valley
Our sledging journey started by negotiating the glacial entrance to the Hendesron Valley which was entered right of the obvious crevassing above Dominic's head.
Henderson Valley Camp
Camp 2 in the Henderson Valley having just made a rare (first?) ascent of the main peak behind
Henderson Valley Rock
Fascinating geological formations - A constant companion on our journey through the Henderson Valley and Connel Canyon
Henderson - Connel Peak
Dominic on the fine summit ridge of a peak above the Henderson Valley - Connel Canyon Col
Connel Canyon Camp
Our superb campsite on the col overlooking Connel Canyon. Next day we would descend in to the Canyon and make the eye bulging sledge Haul out of the far side...
Head of the Horseshoe Valley
Delight at reaching camp on the narrow col at the head of the vast plateau that is the Horseshoe Valley after a long hard days sledge hauling.
Proper sledging!
Dominic setting sail on the sledge at the very head of the Horseshoe Valley. We had been told we might get a few kms out of this method. It was more like 50m!
Christmas Day Sledging Journey
A christmas day took us down the Horseshoe Valley and in position to climb the Douglas Peaks
Sledging Warm Down
Relaxing in the comfortable Hilleberg Tent (Keron 4) after a tough days sledge hauling
Christmas Camp
Our fine Christmas day campsite in the Horseshoe Valley, a well poised base to climb the Douglas Peak from
North West Ridge Douglas Peak
Fine alpine scrambling in cold windy weather on the mixed North West Ridge of Douglas Peak. Halfway along this ridge the Russian Illyushin 76 Jet soared past on its way from Patriot Hills to Punta Arenas.
Sledgin Home
Dominic truckin on with the sledge on our 12 hour, 35 km leg back to Patriot Hills across the Horseshoe Valley. The Marble Hills of the Southern Ellsworths beyond.
Back to PAtriot Hills Dining Room!
The superb dining room at Patriot Hills with it's warm hospitality and great food is a fine place to finish our long sledging journey
Independence Day
Final ski-doo and mountaineering journey before the Illyushin 76 Jet comes to whisk Dominic off the ice and back to Chile. A great end to this Ellsworth Safari. 13 days, 170 kms of ski-doo travel, 70 kms of sledging, 7 peaks & travel on foot, crampons, snow-shoes, cross country skis, downhill skis and ski-doos.
