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Orvin Fjella, various ascents.

By Christoph Höbenreich, Austria

The first Austrian expedition to Queen Maud Land comprised Karl Pichler, Paul Koller and me. As an IFMGA qualified mountain- and skiguide, geographer and polar explorer I was lucky enough to initiate, organize and lead this outstanding expedition, which was my 11th polar expedition so far. Our goal was to ski east from the well-known Ulvetanna Group in the Fenriskjeften to the Holtedahlfjella, Kurzefjella, and Conradfjella, where we hoped to climb virgin summits. In November we flew from Cape Town to Novo Airbase by ALCI-Iljushin Il-76 and from there were lifted by Twin Otter to our starting point near Holtanna base camp. Our route, traversing some of the most spectacular rock and ice scenery in the world, was challenging. On the way we climbed 15 summits, of which 11 were first ascents…. (read more)