Published
The Wall Expedition
Client: Alain Hubert
This expedition was my first encounter with Antarctica. The objective: the first ascent of the Holtanna (2650m) in the Queen Maud Land region of Antarctica.
The team for the first ascent of Holtanna: Alain Hubert (Belgium), Ralph Dujmovits (Germany), André Georges (Switzerland), Fabrizzio Zangrilli (U.S.), and Daniel Mercier and René Robert (France). Also with us was Katelijne Vanheulekom (Belgium), in charge of communications with headquarters, and scientists Alain Bidart (France) and Ronald Ross (U.S.), who were working on different education and research projects.
I will always remember those nights we spent in the portaledge, attached to the mountain. What a first encounter with Antarctica!
Selected Pictures
Antarctica
My first encouter with the vastness of Antarctica. Believe me, you feel really small.
- Antarctica
Holtanna
"the Wall" as seen from a Twin Otter after our first successful ascent. Not a very origninal name but rather an apt descrition of those 800 meters.
- Antarctica
Blue Ice
Antarctica hides its dangers and treacherousness behind beauty.
- Antarctica
Looking at the world
That's whay you call "a mountain with a view"
- Antarctica
Ferinyunga
Nice view of the Ferinyunga circle.
- Antarctica
Climbing
A close up of Alain Hubert climbing the Holtanna. People now call this "the Belgian route".
- Antarctica
Ascent
Another ascent in the Ferinyunga mountains
- Antarctica
Portalegde
The infamous portaledge: a hanging tent system designed for rock climbers and our home for the night.
- Antarctica
Verticality
That's what 800 meters of pure vertical in Antarctica looks like.
- Antarctica