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Climbing Mount Vinson (4,898m), Expedition from Punta Arenas, Chile to the highest peak in Antarctica

Climbing Mount Vinson (4,898m), Expedition from Punta Arenas, Chile to the highest peak in Antarctica
Climbing Mount Vinson (4,898m), Expedition from Punta Arenas, Chile to the highest peak in Antarctica
Climbing Mount Vinson (4,898m), Expedition from Punta Arenas, Chile to the highest peak in Antarctica
Climbing Mount Vinson (4,898m), Expedition from Punta Arenas, Chile to the highest peak in Antarctica

Come with the IFMGA-certified guides of Mountain Madness to the most southerly of the Seven Summits and climb the Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica, on an expedition from Punta Arenas into the unique wilderness of a seldom seen environment.

Group

21 Days

Jan, Dec

High

Intermediate


Highlights

* Reach the top of an elusive peak of the Seven Summits.

* Enjoy the thrill of mountaineering in challenging and exotic terrain.

* Learn valuable insight and techniques from certified guides and experts.

* Join an exclusive group of climbers who have taken on Antarctica.

Description

Rise to the highest point of Antarctica (16,077 feet) and conquer one of the most elusive Seven Summits! This guided mountaineering program into one of the most intriguing and rewarding locations on Earth gives you the rare chance to practice your climbing and expedition skills while exploring parts of the world that are rarely seen!

Antarctica is steeped in mystery. Located at the southernmost reaches of the planet, it is a continent covered in ice. It is considered the world’s coldest desert – even though it consistently boasts sub-zero temperatures, even in the six-month daylight period, it receives very little snow. It is notably mountainous, reaching its high point on Vinson of the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains.

This is where you come in! With careful planning and our experienced and qualified guiding team, you will see the isolated beauty of this remarkable continent on a safe, satisfying, and memorably fun journey to the top of Antarctica!

Beginning with a quick stop in Punta Arenas, Chile, to cover gear check and last minute preparations, you will head onto the incredible southern continent. You will set up a number of camps on and near glaciers, putting your mettle to the test in severe conditions. The weather is best during December and January, but you can still expect volatile conditions during constant daylight. Please note that this trip can only be done in the dates listed below. 

We will be in the midst of Antarctica’s expansive beauty. There is generally less than 18 inches of snow during austral summer, so the temperature and strong winds are our biggest challenges. Our final push to the summit includes rewarding mixed climbing, with unforgettable vistas of icy wilderness and mountains. You will even have the chance to see the incredible Tierra del Fuego as you fly in and out of Punta Arenas.

There are opportunities for a bit of technical climbing, but the most important aspects of your experience will be roped glacier travel and cold weather camping. High mountain experience is also recommended. It is considered comparable to the West Buttress of Denali, but its isolation and extreme weather make it a serious undertaking that warrants your utmost respect.

Appropriate planning, both physical and mental, is vital for your success and enjoyment. You should be physically fit and mentally prepared for the sustained excursion. You should also carefully plan travel accommodations as the itinerary to and from Antarctica is always subject to change.

Book this once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica NOW and relish a Vinson expedition from Punta Arenas to scale the tallest mountain on this gorgeous and isolated continent!

Price includes

- Guiding fee

Price details

This is the price to join one of our group programs. The price includes the guiding fee, airfare from Punta Arenas to Union Glacier and to Base Camp, all meals in Antarctica, welcome dinner, and group equipment (tents, ropes, cooking gear, and sleds). The price does NOT include flights to and from Punta Arenas, food and lodging in Punta Arenas, personal equipment, rescue / evacuation insurance, trip insurance, laundry, phone calls, personal items, fees and costs beyond our control, and anything not explicitly mentioned as “included.” Insurance is required for this trip.


Itinerary

Day 1 to 2: Arrival

We will get into Punta Arenas, Chile.

Day 3: Orientation

Our final day in Chile includes an equipment check and exploration of the city. We will finalize our plans and get a good night sleep before the adventure.

Day 4 to 5: Fly to Antarctica

We will fly four and a half hours to Union Glacier before continuing to Branscomb Glacier and base camp. Upon arrival, we will begin preparations for the ascent. Camp is at 7,000 feet.

Day 6: Camp I

Our plan is to establish Camp I at a bend in the glacier, roughly 9,600 feet in altitude. If necessary, we can camp near a steep head wall at 10,000 feet.

Day 7: Moving Up

Depending on our progress, we can move to the headwall or proceed to carry gear to the high camp at 12,400 feet.

Day 8: Climbing the Head Wall

Battling the thinning atmosphere, we will climb the headwall and reach the col between Vinson and Mt. Shinn where our high camp is located (12,400 feet).

Day 9 to 13: Summit Day

After a three hour and 3,600-foot climb, we will reach our tantalizing summit. Take in the views of the Ellsworth and Antarctica’s immense beauty.

Day 14 to 15: Base Camp

The following days are for carefully returning to our base camp.

Day 16: Punta Arenas

Once we have acceptable weather, we will return to Chile and Punta Arenas.

Day 17 to 21: Return Home

With extra days built into the itinerary, you will be able to fly home as necessary.

 

Details

More info

We have a cuisine of local and regional fare that is at times supplemented with items brought from the US. Please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions. A cook will ensure we have pleasant meals and dining times throughout our journey in Antarctica. We recommend working with a full-service travel agency to coordinate last-minute flights from Antarctica and commercial flights you book from Punta Arenas and Chile. It is necessary to have a flexible time frame for travel – take this into account when planning your itinerary. You will be unable to change your ticket and reservations while in Antarctica, so you may run the risk of severe financial penalties and the loss of your ticket. LAN Chile is the only major airline that flies to Punta Arenas, and booking through them can ease some of the difficulties (they are the only airline to have an office in Punta Arenas). Please do not hesitate to contact us with more information – properly planning, booking, and timing your flights is very important. An equipment list will be sent to you upon booking, but you should be aware of conditional dangers in Antarctica such as dehydration, sunburn, snowblindness, frostbite, and altitude sickness.

Meeting point

We generally meet in Punta Arenas, Chile. Contact us upon booking to confirm our meeting location.

FAQs

What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?

We understand that finding the perfect place to stay is an essential part of your adventure experience. To help you with this, we’ve curated a list of three highly recommended hotels that offer comfort, convenience, and a touch of local charm. These accommodations are well-suited for adventurers looking to relax and rejuvenate after an exciting day of exploration
Hotel Rey Don Felipe Punta Arenas Chile
See rooms
Hotel Dreams del Estrecho Punta Arenas Chile
See rooms
Hotel Cabo de Hornos Punta Arenas Chile
See rooms

About the guide

Guide profile image

Mountain

Mountain Guide

For over 35 years, Mountain Madness has been bringing profound outdoor experiences to trekkers and mountaineers across the globe. We have built a strong foundation of skills and expertise, fueling our passion to impart our wisdom onto other like-minded explorers. Cultivating an enthusiasm for the
outdoors while helping you enjoy the journey and achieve your goals is a dream come true.

Our mission is to provide the best experience possible and to instill a passion for adventure. We value cultural exchange, take pride in facing physical and mental challenges head on, and strive to development wilderness skills that encourage self-discovery without compromising our environment.

Climbing, trekking, and skiing worldwide allows Mountain Madness to guide internationally. Our success and determination have given us worldwide acclaim and reignited our hunger – from Rainier and Baker to Kilimanjaro and Everest, no adventure is too big or too small.

Our guides have extensive training and are AMGA and/or IFMGA-certified guides. We enjoy assisting in all aspects of your trip, from the first conversation to the last goodbye. The collection of activities are endless, with alpinists, trekkers, explorers, mountaineers, and ski tourers on our team. To assist first time explorers and grizzled veterans in finding hidden, everyday wonder is our pleasure.

Languages

English


What people are saying about Explore-Share

Man

5

Climbing with guide Guillaume was absolutely a highlight of my 2-week Europe vacation. Originally, we were planning on climbing in the Calanques, but the park was closed due to wind and fire danger. Guillaume chose another amazing location (Pic de Bretagne) based on my climbing abilities and preferences and kindly offered train station pick-up and hotel drop off, which I appreciated very much. The multi-pitch route we did was not only fun but also the right amount of challenge, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The communication from the team (Gauthier) was prompt and clear—highly recommend!

Maxine

5

Luis Silva was a great climbing guide and belayer! He taught me how to do moves that were difficult and encouraged me to try routes that were challenging for me! Because of his encouragement, I managed to complete these routes! I really enjoyed the climbs and completed 8 routes in the Sesimbra/Azoia area. The weather was perfect, no direct sun and cool enough to enjoy the climbs. Explore-Share made booking an outdoor climbing experience in Lisbon extremely easy. Luis, our guide, was fantastic, and the platform’s organization was flawless.

Valeriya

5

You’re simply the best!!! :))) Explore-Share made everything easy and stress-free. Will definitely use again.

Joshua

5

We had Léo as a guide for our day climb in Fonty. We were blessed with a knowledgeable, warm, and instructive guide. Communication with Léo and Ivan was smooth and swift. Explore-Share was excellent in arranging everything for our day climb. The communication was quick, and the platform was easy to use, making our adventure stress-free.

Cami

5

Patrick was a great guide. He took us on an intermediate Via Ferrata at Passo Sella. Renato was quick to respond with any outreach on the Explore-Share platform. The booking process was straightforward, and once Patrick was confirmed, all went well. It was a wonderful experience, and I’d highly recommend the platform.

 

4.8

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