Seven Summits (29 page)

TOP LEFT
: The man who made it possible, Giles Kershaw.
(Photo: Rick Ridgeway)

TOP RIGHT
: Refueling the Tri Turbo at Rothera Base. The drums were dropped by parachute from a Chilean C130.
(Credit: Dick Bass)

The Vinson Team (left to right) Chris Bonington, Sandy Bredin, Rick Mason, Captain Frias, Rick Ridgeway, Giles Kershaw, Frank Wells, Steve Marts, Yuichiro Miura, Dick Bass, Tae Maeda.
(Credit: Chris Bonington)

All business class aboard the DC3 Tri Turbo.
(Credit: Chris Bonington)

At the landing site near Vinson, it's warmer to set up tents than sleep in the plane.
(Credit: Chris Bonington)

Dick Bass (left) and Frank begin the steep gully above base camp, Vinson.
(Credit: Rick Ridgeway)

Temperature 30 below, wind 40 knots. Frank nursing a frostbitten nose, just before turning back on the first attempt at Vinson's summit.
(Credit: Rick Ridgeway)

Rick Ridgeway digs the “bolt hole,” the snow cave they will bolt to in case high wind should demolish the tents.
(Credit: Rick Ridgeway collection)

Premier British climber and expedition leader Chris Bonington.
(Credit: Rick Ridgeway)

The modern-day samurai. “The Man Who Skied Down Everest,” Yuichiro Miura, prepares to ski down Vinson.
(Credit:Rick Ridgeway)

The third time works the charm. Dick on top of Vinson Massif, highest point in Antarctica.
(Credit: Rick Ridgeway)

Dick Bass trickle-charging shortly after take-off from Vinson.
(Credit: Rick Ridgeway)

35 feet under ice. Frank emerges from the catacombs of Siple Station, Antarctica.
(Credit: Rick Ridgeway)