From the summit of Mt Atkinson Photo: Robert M. Anderson

Robert Anderson, who has made solo ascents of Vinson Massif before, will attempt new routes in the Vinson area, and on the Massif itself, this season, in the company of climbers Chris Heintz, Peggy Foster, Bob Guthrie and Intesar Haider.

Anderson plans to depart Punta Arenas, Chile on 21 December (weather permitting) on the Adventure Network International transport aircraft. The team will fly straight south over the tip of Cape Horn and across the Southern Ocean to Antarctica, landing on the blue ice runway at the Adventure Network base camp at Patriot Hills.

From there they will take small ski-equipped Twin Otters for just over an hour to the base of Mt Vinson, landing at about 4,000 feet.

They will spend several days skiing up the glacier and establish a Base Camp. There first objective will be the summit of one of the unclimbed peaks in the area and if conditions warrant, a first ski descent.

Moving onto Vinson, they will establish a high camp at about 10,000 feet and scout out a route on the broad expanse of the South Face. If timing and conditions allow, they will ascend Vinson on about 1 January 2003.

The team plans to return to Chile on 5 January, and return to the USA the following day. All travel times are dependent on the highly variable weather conditions common in Antarctica.

The expedition has been organized through Jagged Globe in the UK, flying with Adventure Network to Antarctica. The team is carrying The Explorers Club Flag #103.