Berg

The storm was pretty significant as Willi was out digging out the tents about four o'clock this morning. He came back estimating that we experienced probably 50-60 knot winds. He actually was blown over a couple times as he did some work to secure the tents.

Through much of the day, it's been just about the same, but it's a pretty intense storm and we're holed up as you might guess today just waiting for better weather to make an attempt.

Thinking about Jim Boyd today. Stephen, his son, hollered over at me, we do a lot of communicating tent to tent that way, just yelling through the storm: 'hey, we need another pot of tea,' or 'how's it's going over there?' Stephen, in the next tent over, who's a continuous Al Capone, said we should've wished dad a Happy Father's Day yesterday. We're thinking of Jim a lot. He actually should be on this trip with us, but had a back injury not long before we departed and had to sit this one out. He's going to come next year.

Jim, best wishes and belated Happy Father's Day, but at this point, sitting in this storm, I think we probably all will have to say you're not missing much right now. But we'll get this thing done in the next few days. Once again we're in position to climb Gunnbjornsfjeld, highest peak above the Arctic Circle, when the weather permits. We've got a good camp in, plenty of food. We're enjoying one another's company, just sort of hanging out on a classic expedition bad weather day. So we'll keep you posted as things go along here.

— Alpine Ascents Guide Wally Berg, MountainZone.com Correspondent

EXPEDITION DISPATCHES