SUMMIT

At 5,900 m (19,360 ft), it takes more than two hours to melt enough water so that each one of us can have 2 liters for the climb to the summit. That's why the cooks wake us at 3:00 am. The weather is almost perfect with the temperature around -15°C (5°F), no wind and a bright moon above. We leave Camp 4 around 6:00 am.

The trail to the summit passes through Refugo Independencia located at 6,377 m (20,920 ft) and across Grand Acarreo, a steep scree slope.

Early in the afternoon, we arrive at the bottom of the final slope called Canaleta.

It is time for a short rest, some food and drink.

Rodrigo enjoys beautiful weather.

Danielle waits anxiously to start for the summit

Lower slopes of Canaleta. We are very lucky. The snow that was falling in the last few days has cemented the loose scree and rocks.

We arrive on the summit around 3:00 pm. Unfortunately we are late by about an hour. The weather has broken and the summit is covered by a dense blanket of clouds. From left: Sung, Lee, Rodrigo, Danielle, Steve, Don and Bill. I am kneeling in front. The famous iron cross is in the middle of us.

Bad weather forces us to descend after not more than 15 minutes on the summit. I barely have enough time to take some pictures for my sponsors: Hardwood Hills and Viessmann.

We are very tired, thirsty and hungry. Although weather improves a bit 200 meters below the summit, the descent to Camp 4 takes about 4 hours. Finally around 8:00 pm we are back in the tents. My failure to climb the Polish Glacier and lousy weather on the summit, greatly diminishes the whole experience. Perhaps I am just too tired to enjoy the summit.