Mount Vinson , Antarctica 's highest peak, lies within the Ellsworth mountain range a mere 600 miles from the South Pole. Antarctica is a land of extremes, with night-time low temperatures often reaching negative 40F and a sun that never sets.
Our team meets at the southern tip of Chile in the bustling port town of Punta Arenas . We will spend two days checking equipment and weighing our collective gear and supplies in preparation for the 6 hour flight to The Ice. Flying to Antarctica aboard a Russian Ilyushin IL-76 cargo jet and landing on the blue ice runway at Patriot Hills is an experience you will never forget. From Patriot Hills we board a Twin Otter on skis for the flight to Vinson base camp. It takes an impressive amount of logistical support to get people and gear to the bottom of the world.
The route up Mt Vinson involves glacier travel and moderately steep snow climbing. We generally put in two or three camps above base camp before going for the top. The summit ridge provides some interesting climbing as you wind through rocks, ice and snow on your way to the top of Antarctica . The views from the summit on a clear day are breathtaking, as you gaze across an ocean of ice which extends all the way to the horizon.
Climbers should prepare themselves physically to be able to carry moderately heavy loads over the course of fairly long days. Antarctica is a very cold place and proper equipment is essential. Our guides are very adept in taking care of climbers in arctic and Antarctic conditions; however, climbers must be familiar with how to look after themselves in a very cold environment.
We pride ourselves on providing the highest level of personal attention to our climbers from your first contact with our office until after you return home from your expedition. Our office staff is comprised of Vinson veterans, who can answer your questions based on personal experience. We provide the very highest standard of client care at every stage of your trip, and base all of our decision making on, “What is best for you?”
Our guides are very experienced with the rigors of Antarctic climbing and we provide them with the very best in food and supplies to ensure that you have the greatest possible experience at every stage of your journey. Mountain Trip sets the standard for quality on Mount Vinson .
Vinson expeditions take about 14 days; however, flight delays in Antarctica are quite common due to the ever changing weather. Climbers must keep some flexibility in their return schedules to allow for delays.
We are currently accepting bookings for the 2009/10 season. Based on booking trends over the past few years, and the limited availability of seats on the IL-76, we strongly encourage prospective climbers to book well in advance of their desired departure. Booking in April for a December expedition is not a bad idea.
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