Region: America - South & Antarctica

Dr Phil Wickens with Dr Alan Geer, Alastair Gunn, Tim Hall, Dr Alun Hubbard, Dr Andy Kerr, & Colin Souness plus Dr Nico L'Homme from France/Poland (December 2004-March 2005)

This team sailed from S America on Alun Hubbard's yacht 'Gambo' to Anvers Island, where they hoped to complete a traverse of Mt Francais (2825m) via its SE & NE Ridges. A 1000m new line on the SE Face took them to the S Ridge, but from here they retreated due to Category 5 avalanche danger. A second attempt via Mt Rennie was also abandoned due to bad weather (only 5½ clear days whilst they were in the area) and dangerous snow conditions. Moving to Wiencke Island, they made three attempts to climb and link the challenging Seven Sisters of Fief (c1430m), but again bad weather prevented success. However, they climbed a new gully route on the NW side of Noble Peak (c760m) at AD+ and a new route on the SE Face/N Ridge of Mt Wheat (1095m) in the Wall Range at AD-. As an 'expedition within an expedition' Hall made the first successful 'paramotor' flight (defined as foot-launched powered paragliding) in Antarctica.