(Call #1)
Hello MountainZone cybernauts, Vern Tejas on the flanks of Mount Vinson, down in Base Camp, and boy, is it nice down here. I've got my tent up to 80 degrees, and I've cleaned my body and (am) drying all my clothes out, eating and drinking and resting and recuperating. All the things that a mountaineer needs to do after a long, hard day like I had yesterday.

I'm just standing by, getting myself in shape just in case some other opportunities present themselves. Just wanted to tell you that I'm doing ok and having a great time, time of my life as a matter of fact. Weather's good, finally, and hopefully we'll be looking forward to doing some new things in the near future.

Just wanted to mention that acclimatization, of course, is the key to climbing in these kind of mountains, anything over 10,000 feet, it's really good to get used to it before you try to do anything. This last climb for me has been an acclimatization. I've been up to 16,000 feet now, and I'm looking forward to trying some other things now that my body's getting a little more used to being down here and getting the oxygen it needs.

Drinking, and eating and resting, recuperating. So stay tuned, we'll see you soon. Ciao for now.

(Call #2)
Hi, this is Vern Tejas, reporting from Mount Vinson. I just wanted to add a little bit to that last broadcast.

Yesterday, our distances were about 23 kilometers covered. We had a 4,000 foot gain and a 9,000 foot drop, and it took a little over 14 hours.

Currently I am playing my musical instruments, having a great time. I've got two Martin instruments, a backpacker guitar and also what we call a backpacker mandolin, and I also have a mountain fiddle, a homemade, break-down fiddle that can fit in a fishing rod case, along with my ever-present harmonica.

So, amongst those four items and an improvised didgeridoo, we're staying well entertained here at Base Camp. So talk to you soon, cheers.

— Vern Tejas, expedition leader and MountainZone.com correspondent