Børge Ousland

There is time to explore the hills that gives the base its name – and even to build igloos.

Here is the blue ice for which Patiot Hills is known. One of our tents near the base.

The weather has lengthened our stay in Patriot Hills. It’s sunny, all right, but also gale winds – in other words, unacceptable conditions for the pilots to land and take off. The forecast gives little hope of an imminent change of fortune, so I suspect we may well have to practice our patience for a couple of more days.

Some of us are building an igloo. We take walks and go skiing and play cards. In the evening, lectures have been organised in the large dinging tent. We’re warm and dry, and suffering no duress – but we really would like to be on our way home.

We’ve received a message that John has arrived safely back in Ireland. All is well.

There was no takeoff today, due to high winds out on the runway. However, the weather forecast is better for Friday afternoon; at least those who are responsible for air service to Patriot Hill are optimistic. So we have time to relax …

All the climbers have returned to base.

We’ve been given access to one of the large, semi-permanent tents, which is furnished with tables and chairs. The temperature here is comfortable and we have space to move around – here we can relax, chat and play cards, and cook food for ourselves when we’re hungry. Right now it’s full house, filled with about 40 people who are all waiting to depart with the Ilyushin 76.

The photo below was taken after we disembarked from the aeroplane that first brought us to Patriot Hills, from Punta Arenas. In other words, it’s not standing out there ready on the runway.

It is lively here in the tent, and there is a good mood in the camp. Amongst our company is a group of Englishmen who have also been out skiing the Antarctic. And so naturally a lot of good stories are exchanged, from far and wide. It’s fascinating. All is well and we’re having a good time here in the “waiting hall”.