Check here for the latest from Vern Tejas in Antarctica.

Kites, Bikes and Missed Weddings
Thursday, January 23, 2003
Trapped by weather at Patriot Hills for four days, Vern and a large group finally get to venture outside a bit for some fun and exercise. Unfortunately, that's not helping the woman who is three days late to her own wedding.

When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Play Music
Tuesday, January 21, 2003
It's a United Nation's of adventurers stuck in windy weather at Patriot Hills, but that doesn't stop Vern from jamming with a cast of characters, including Conrad Anker.

Speed Climb To A Second Summit
Monday, January 20, 2003
Not content with one trip to the top of Vinson, Vern went again, a single-day assault in perfect weather. Get the details and hear how he's now prepping to finish a year-long goal.

Acclimatization Builds Strong Bodies 12 Ways
Saturday, January 18, 2003
"...this is a Russian system where you go to altitude, strain your body so that it actually grows more red blood cells and adapts, and then you go back to low altitude to recuperate and to put the fat back on, if you will, so that when you go up again, you're ready. Your body's sort of like a sponge, it soaks up the oxygen down low and then you're ready to give it another shot up higher."

Drinking, Eating, Resting and Recuperating
Friday, January 17, 2003
Vern calls in twice more to talk about his rest day back at Base Camp and hint about something to come in the near future.

Safe Summit And Back To Base Camp
Friday, January 17, 2003
"Man, oh man, was that a long day. But it was a good one. We started bright and early when the sun hit us--first sun we've had in more than a week--showed up and hit us hard in our tent at Camp II, and we got up and took off..."

Up To Camp II
Wednesday, January 15, 2003
The team decides they've had enough of waiting for the weather to really clear. So they pack up, and make the climb to Camp II. Two calls from Vern.

A Real Appreciation For Indoor Plumbing
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
"...we're starting to think that maybe the slopes above us are getting a little bit questionable with snow being distributed on them by the wind. So we're getting a little antsy about the potential avalanche hazards."

Little White Tornadoes
Monday, January 13, 2003
"This afternoon we've been hit by several violent gusts that shook the tent, and we're thankful that we have thick blocks of snow surrounding the walls..."

Discretion Being The Better Part Of Valor
Sunday, January 12, 2003
"Yes, the most impressive summits of my life I do not climb with my feet, I only reach with my heart."

Chilly Rest Day
Saturday, January 11, 2003
Vern Tejas, renowned guitarist, spends a rest day practicing his craft.

Up To Camp I
Friday, January 10, 2003
A good day's work, with a 2,000 foot climb and camp set up. Vern provides lots of details.

From Branscomb Glacier Base Camp
Thursday, January 9, 2003
Checking in from Base Camp, Vern introduces climbing partners Tomas Weber and Christoph Hoebenreich, talks about the Tyrol Declaration, and provides a great description of the surroundings.

Maintaining A Pristine Environment
Wednesday, January 8, 2003
In his second dispatch of the day, Vern talks about the lengths to which ANI and climbing teams are going to protect the Antarctic environment.

The Amazing Alleutian Cargo Plane
Wednesday, January 8, 2003
Vern has arrived at Patriot Hills transfer camp, describes the trip in detail and explains the rare glacialogical feature known as a "blue-ice runway."

Chill Out With Vern
Tuesday, January 7, 2003
Vern Tejas explains the reason for his expedition, and its funding from the Omega Foundation. From Punta Arenas, Chile.