Mt. Vinson Climb

• Veteran mountain guides with experience in Antarctica on Vinson and South Pole Ski trips
• Comfortable Base Camp with, carpeted, dining dome with table and chairs
• Low camp dome for dining tent
• Mountain Camp Caches of group tents and gear for lighter movement to higher camp
• Access to satellite phone and email, dispatches of the team progress on our news site

Join us for a climb of this pristine Mountain located in the heart of the Sentinels. This remote and demanding expedition is an incredible journey to the end of the earth, just 750 miles from the South Pole.

First climbed in 1966, Mt. Vinson is the highest mountain in Antarctica and an excellent choice for the mountaineer who has experience with extreme weather conditions and a solid background of previous high altitude climbing. This mountain is a common goal for the 7 summits quest to climb all of the highest summits on each of the seven continents. Mt. Vinson is the perfect next step on the road to peaks such as Everest with Mountain Professionals.

Mount Vinson Route

Our  Mount Vinson Climb trip begins in Punta Arenas, Chile. We will take a 4-hour transport flight to the Union Glacier camp on the Antarctic Continent. As soon as weather permits, we will be transported to the Sentinel Mountain Range and the base of the Vinson Massif via Twin Otter Airplane with all the supplies and equipment needed to make a self-sufficient ascent of the mountain.

The route travels via moderate snow and ice slopes of the Branscomb Glacier and is moderate in technical difficulty, however we climb with extreme care to avoid crevasse dangers while on the lower mountain. Our team will travel using glacier travel techniques as a rope team.

We will utilize two camps on the mountain above base camp. Each of these camps will allow us to move our personal equipment successively higher on the peak to allow us a summit bid from our high camp location at the top of the fixed line headwall. The summit day is an amazing climb in the 24 hour sunlight of the Antarctica Summer. Although the summit day is cold, the climbing route is relatively moderate in technical difficulty and team members with good determination and appropriate training will enjoy a successful climb to the summit of Mount Vinson.

Climb Mount Vinson and the South Pole

For participants interested in a Combo trip with a Mount Vinson Climb and Last Degree South Pole Ski trips: Please note that we strongly recommend that interested participants on south pole last degree trips plan to take our polar ski training prior to signing up for the actual expedition. Planning ahead is the best way to prepare. With more mountaineers who have taken part in Seven Summits climbs, they often underestimate the difficulty and different skill set required to complete a South Pole Last Degree Ski expedition. We would also recognize similar trainings by a respected instructor or fairly significant cross country ski experience in cold weather environments, or can provide private instruction if needed. So if you are interested in a future Last Degree Ski expedition to Antarctica, the best way to have a safe and successful expedition is to take a polar ski training course.

• Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile. Transport to Hotel Punta Arenas. Packing and planning for expedition
• Day 2: Team meeting and gear check, duffle back weigh in and check in of gear to flight company
• Day 3: Meeting with ALE (flight company), relaxing in town
• Day 4: Flight to Union Glacier Base Camp in Antarctica (4 hours). Possible flight to Vinson Base Camp (weather dependent)
• Day 5: Flight from Union Glacier to the base camp of Vinson Massif (7,000 Feet)
• Day 6: Carry to Camp 1 (9,500 Feet), Return to base camp
• Day 7: Possible Rest Day at base camp
• Day 8:  Climb to Camp 1. Sleep in Camp 1
• Day 9: Rest and acclimatization
• Day 10: Move to Camp 2
• Day 11: Summit Day
• Day 12: Extra day for contingency
• Day 13: Extra day for contingency
• Day 14: Return flight from Vinson Base Camp to Union Glacier Camp
• Day 15: Planned return flight from Union Glacier Camp to Punta Arenas, Chile
• Day 16: Return flight to your home country from Punta Arenas, Chile

Mount Vinson Climb Trip Cost Includes

• Experienced Mountain Professionals Vinson Guides
• All Flights to and from Antarctica (to Union Glacier Camp) via Punta Arenas, Chile
• Flight from Union Glacier Camp to Vinson Base Camp
• Vinson Base Camp Dome with carpet, dining table and chairs, heated
• Low camp dome for dining
• Mountain camp caches of tents and group gear for minimal carry to high camp
• Support services while in the Antarctic and Search and Rescue Coverage
• All Meals in Antarctica
• Weather Reports
• Tents in Antarctica and all group gear, Navigation, Satellite Phones, GPS
• All group climbing gear, ropes, tents, snow protection, radios
• Comprehensive First Aid Kits and Wilderness First Responders
• Dispatches to Mountain Professionals News Page

Price does not include

• International round-trip airfare to and from Punta Arenas
• Evacuation insurance (required for each member)
• All expenses incurred in the event of early departure (evac fees, transport, extra hotel nights, etc)
• Any additional Hotel nights due to delays prior to flying to Antarctica
• Hotel nights in Punta Arenas, Chile
• Rescue Insurance Policy (required) / Trip cancellation insurance (if applicable)
• Meals while in Punta Arenas
• Charges incurred as a result of delays with flights that would effect personal flights
• Personal expedition clothing and personal gear