Antartica: Expedition to Mount Vinson (4897 m), a trip with a Russian Mountain Guide 7 Summits Club Collection

Antartica: Expedition to Mount Vinson (4897 m)
© klub7vershin.ru
A trip with a Russian Mountain Guide 7 Summits Club Collection

Trip overview: Santiago, Chile - Punta Arenas - Patriot Hills - Vinson Massif Base Camp – Summit - Vinson Massif BC – Patriot Hills – Punta Arenas

Why go there?
An expedition to Vinson Peak is often called the “Key to Seven Summits”. No, the mountain itself does not present serious technical problems, but it is very difficult in terms of getting to it. For that there are two weighty reasons: its utter remoteness and the high price of any expedition there. So, a trip to Vinson Massif is exceptionally interesting and prestigious. So few people have done it!

Our program starts in Punta Arenas (Chile). From there an IL-76 aircraft takes us to Patriot Hills in Antarctica. It is an airstrip belonging to Chile and rented by Americans for their tourist flights. From here a small plane brings us to Vinson Massif Base Camp (BC), where we pitch our tents. From here, having fixed Camp 2 and 3, we start for the summit.

Antarctica is an extremely cold place, even in summer (mild winter rather), but as a compensation we will have the sun all 24 hours, will not need head torches and can save on batteries.

We suggest you should arrive in Punta Arenas at least 3 days before the official start of the expedition. Due to the very unstable weather in that area our out-flight cannot be definitely fixed well in advance: the date has to be adjusted to the weather’s whims. The waiting should not be too long (1-3 days), but, alas, a 10 days’ one has been recorded.

Description of the region: The Vinson Massif is a part of the Sentinel Range (Ellsworth Mountains), lying in the west of Antarctica and overlooking the Ronne Ice Shelf. Discovered in 1935 by the American explorer Lincoln Ellsworth, it is the highest massif on the continent (Mt.Vinson - 16,066 ft or 4,897 m)

Travel program
What's included
Prices & Dates
Photo and Video

Travel program

Day 1: Arrival in Punta Arenas. Hotel accommodation
Day 2: Buying food and equipment
Day 3: Briefing in the Adventure Network office. Sorting out and packing the equipment
Day 4: Flight to Patriot Hills
Day 5: Flight from Patriot Hills to Vinson Massif. Camp 1 at 2,150m
Day 6: Acclimatization outing. Preparation for the ascent
Day 7: 8 hours’ walk to Camp 2 (2,900 m)
Day 8: 6 hours' walk to Camp 3 (3,900 m)
Day 9: Acclimatization day
Day 10: Summit day
Day 11: Reserve day to make up for bad weather
Day 12: Reserve day to make up for bad weather. Option for good weather: climb of Mt Shinn (not far from Vinson Massif)
Day 13: Reserve day
Day 14: Descent to BC
Day 15: Flight from BC to Union
Day 16: Flight from Patriot Hills to Punta Arenas
Day 17: Flight home

» For further information see Downloads.

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» Detailprogramm [DOC/PDF]
» Weather Forecast
» Location on Google Maps

Detailed program:
Contact: More information about the expedition
Glory Ivonin 7 Summits Club managers

Manager-guide of 7 Summits Club for Vinson - Antartica programs
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www.7summits-club.com

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St. Petersburg, RUSSIA

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