MOUNT VINSON 4.897 m
polar mountain adventure at the end of the world - one of the Seven Summits
Mount Vinson lies in the aptly named Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains, deep in the interior of Antarctica. It was first climbed on 18. December 1966 and for many years did not see a second ascent due to the challenges of accessing its remote location. You will ascend the Branscomb Shoulder Route which has become the “standard route”, climbing gentle glaciers, 40° snow covered slopes, an exposed high plateau, and spectacular summit ridge. The Vinson massif is a plateau which is 25 kilometers long,15 kilometers wide and over 2.500 meters high. To climb Mt. Vinson is not very difficult but this venture needs a lot of mountaineering experience and toughness due to the elevation, extreme cold and isolated location. We have organized this expedition 20 times so far. The complex logistics and elaborate organization make this trip to one of our most refined expedition ventures. 24 hours of sunshine, the view over hundreds of kilometers of snow-white mountains, temperatures below -30 ° C and clear air like nothing where else on this planet, make this expedition to a once-in-a-lifetime-experience.
Michi Wärthl, UIAGM Mountainguide, and experienced AMICAL alpin expedition leader, will head this Expedition.
what do i get for my money?
- Organization of the entire expedition and climbing permit
- Experienced AMICAL alpin expedition leader (UIAGM Mountain Guide)
- International flights Frankfurt – Santiago de Chile – Punta Arenas and back, 23 kg check in and 8 kg hand baggage. Should you travel from another origin please get in touch with us, in this case we can exclude these costs
- All airport taxes and fees
- 5 x Hotel Punta Arenas (SR, BB)
- Airport transfers in Punta Arenas, Chile
- Round trip flight to Antarctica from Punta Arenas
- Round trip flight to Vinson Base Camp from Union Glacier
- Meals and tented accommodation in Antarctica (DT, FP)
- Complete group camping and climbing equipment
- Baggage up to 25 kg (Antarctica flight)
- All Formalities
- Information to Environmental Agency
- Sat Phone
- Walkie Talkies
- Medicine Box
- 1 AMICAL alpin gift
- Expedition meeting in Oberstdorf
hOW DIFFICULT IS THIS EXPEDITION
CHALLENGING 5000 M EXPEDITION
PHYSICAL FITNESS
You are an alpinist with a very good endurance and the ability to walk 4-6 h per day, increasing to about 10 h on summit day or more. You have a high level of commitment and team spirit. All provisions, the food, the fuel and personal equipment, has to be transported by the group members themselves with the help of sleds.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
You are a solid climber and glacier traveler, able to climb steep ice and firn slopes of up to 35° without being belayed by a rope or using fix ropes in standard situations (short sections, no crevasses). Steeper sections are secured by fixed ropes. A perfect routine with ice axe and crampons in combined terrain as well as safe fix rope handling are necessary at all times, nevertheless. The glaciated passages of the route may be obstructed by crevasses. Every expedition member has to be self-sufficient in glacier rescue techniques and practice these on a regular basis. If you are in doubt, we recommend a 2-day refresher glacier rescue training, dates may be found in our program. The difficulties on Mt. Vinson are similar to the West Buttress route at Denali: moderate snow slopes and ice flanks with up to 40 ° steepness. The ascent between camp I and II is about 40 ° steep but fixed with ropes. On Mt. Shinn you have to expect combined terrain with UIAA difficulty II on the last 200 vertical meters.
EXPERIENCE
You are an experienced alpinist with a good routine in combined and glaciated terrain as found on the high routes of the Alps. You have collected some experience with higher elevations of 4.000 and 5.000 m and winter camping.
EQUIPMENT
An extremely warm expedition sleeping bag (extreme zone beyond -40° C), high quality down clothing and 8.000m-expedition boots are the essential ingredients of your personal climbing equipment. For more details and suggestions please consult our equipment check list. If you have any questions regarding your gear, please feel free to call us any time. Experienced specialists who have guided this mountain many times will help you with all of your needs.
ITINERARY
01. - 02. Day: Departure and Arrival - Flight from Frankfurt to Punta Arenas. Group Transfer to Hotel. Hotel (B,-,-)
03. Day: Punta Arenas - One day for arrival and purchases of food and equipment. Hotel (B,-,-)
04. Day: Punta Arenas - Further preparations and packing of all equipment. Hotel (B,-,-)
05. Day: Flight Union-Glacier - Flight to Antarctica. Tent (B,L,D)
06. Day: BC Mt. Vinson - Again a last check on our equipment. Flight with small propeller-powered aircraft to the base camp of Mt. Vinson at 2.150 m. Last organization of the loads and if conditions allow, ascent to Camp I at 2.860 m. In case of unsuitable weather conditions for the flight, waiting time may occur. Tent (B,L,D)
07. - 14. Day: Climbing Mt. Vinson – For climbing the mountain with two high camps (2.860 m and 3.900 m) there are 8 days at our disposition. If everything should go smoothly and there should be time left, it is possible to use it for an ascent of Mt. Shinn (4.660 m), starting from camp II. Tent (B,L,D)
15. Day: Union-Glacier - Return flight to Union Glacier Camp. Tent (B,L,D)
16. Day: Punta Arenas – Return to Punta Arenas. Hotel (B,-,-).
17. Day: Punta Arenas – Day for reserve. Hotel (B,-,-)
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18. Day: Departure
19. Day: Arrival at home
expeditionsleiter
Michi Wärthl
UIAGM experienced Mountain Guide
date
Gesamtdauer: 19 TAGE
2021 - please contact us
PREPARATORY MEETING
Date willl follow
PRice
from 4 participants
XXX USD per person
Price will follow in January 2020
if you need more infos, please contact us
HEREWITH I REGISTER FOR THE FOLLOWING TOUR!
Here you can read our TRAVEL TERMS
Hier geht es zu unseren AGBs und zu unseren WICHTIGEN HINWEISEN!