Climb Mount Vinson at 4892 meters in Antarctica

Vinson Base Camp is situated at an elevation of 7021 ft (2,140 m) on the Branscomb Glacier and offers you a spectacular setting to relax and recover from your travels to Antarctica while you prepare for the climb ahead. Here you will meet our experienced mountain guides that will be climbing with you. On the first day, your guide will take your team on a short acclimatization hike which allows you to gain familiarity with the Antarctic environment and refine your clothing and equipment choices for the climb.

We keep the team sizes small so our guides can assess individual strengths and challenges for each team member to develop a strategy that maximizes everyone’s chance for a successful ascent. The following day, you will pack your personal equipment as well as a small amount of food and fuel.

Your team will ascend Vinson using the Branscomb Shoulder Route (standard route). The climb usually takes 5-9 days depending on weather conditions and how quickly team members acclimatize. Most groups set two intermediate camps on the mountain prior to attempting the summit. Your climb is a team effort and at the end of each day, everyone will help pitch camp. The rate of ascent and daily climbing plan will be set by your guide to ensure everyone’s safety and success. You’ll travel roped together throughout your time on the mountain due to crevasse hazard.

From Vinson Base Camp, you’ll follow the gradual rise of the Branscomb Glacier to Low Camp (9,121 ft/2,780 m). This gentle climb is ideal for pulling sleds, allowing you to lighten your pack load. Typically climbers split their 40-49 lb (18-22 kg) loads by carrying 30% in a backpack and 70% on a sled when they leave Base Camp. The climb to Low Camp takes 4-6 hours and ascends 2,100 ft (640 m) where a large dining tent and cached sleeping tents await for your first night on the mountain. Low Camp is in the shade until the late morning and it is normal for people to stay in bed until the sun hits the tents. After a late breakfast, your guide will lead an excursion to a nearby viewpoint and you may visit the lower section of the fixed lines for some additional training and familiarization. Strong parties may wish to make an ascent of Knutzen Peak (11,066 ft/3,373m), a 5-6 hour round trip from Low Camp.

When conditions are suitable and the forecast indicates stable weather ahead, your team will leave the sleds at Low Camp and ascend to High Camp (12,402 ft/3,780 m) carrying all of your equipment in backpacks. Low Camp to High Camp is 3,281 ft (1,000 m) of elevation gain and usually takes groups 6-8 hours to complete. The route takes you up the broad mixed spur at the northern end of Branscomb Ridge, offering fantastic views of Mount Shinn and the glaciers below. The hike to the start of the fixed ropes takes less than 1 hour. You’ll ascend fixed ropes on snow covered slopes up to 45°. Snow conditions can vary from soft to hard and wind-blown with icy patches. The ascent of the fixed ropes takes approximately 4-5 hours. There is a large ledge at the half-way point where you can stop for a rest and enjoy some food and drink. The hike from the top of the fixed lines to High Camp takes about 1.5 hours, ascending the gentle slopes of the summit glacier. This final section of the route can be very exposed to the wind, requiring care to prevent cold injury. The facilities at High Camp are more basic than those at Low Camp. Your guide will prepare simple meals in a cooking shelter and you can eat inside your tent or outside if the weather is calm. The next day is normally spent resting and acclimatizing at High Camp to give everyone the best chance of summiting.

Your team will make its summit attempt on the best weather day possible based on forecasts predicting good visibility and low winds. High Camp to Mount Vinson’s Summit is 3,648 ft (1112 m) of elevation gain and takes most teams 9-12 hours round-trip. The majority of the route is along the gently angled Vinson summit valley, with a short, steeper snow and ice slope leading to the spectacular, rocky, summit ridge. Parts of the route are exposed and can be subject to high winds. The summit pyramid can be climbed via two routes. The easiest route is via the lefthand (eastern) ridge which is less steep than the right-hand (western) ridge. Many teams traverse the peak by climbing the right-hand and descending the left-hand route. Your guide will select the route that is most appropriate based on the weather conditions and the abilities of the team. The views from the summit are breathtaking. Mount Gardner, Tyree, Epperly, and Shinn dominate the foreground, surrounded by impressive peaks that rise from the vast ice sheet below. Here, at the top of Antarctica, the true scale and majesty of the continent are overwhelmingly apparent. Take time for photos and savor the experience before retracing your steps to High Camp.

The descent to Vinson Base Camp usually takes one day from High Camp, re-tracing your route down the fixed ropes and along the Branscomb Glacier. At Base Camp you’ll celebrate your summit with a hearty celebration meal and toast to your team!

Vinson Base Camp will stay in close contact with Union Glacier Camp to identify the best ‘weather window’ for your return flight. Depending on flights, you may have at least one day at the end of your expedition to explore more of Union Glacier. Enjoy a hot shower and celebrate your summit with your team! Here you will receive a certificate to commemorate your Mount Vinson Expedition.

When weather and runway conditions permit, our intercontinental aircraft will arrive at Union Glacier to transport you back to Chile. Our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you back to your hotel.

We recommend booking your flight home one week after your return Antarctic flight. If you purchase a full-fare ticket, most airlines will allow you to move your departure date. It is important to give yourself a buffer as delays are common in Antarctic travel. Our Punta Arenas team can provide a list of local tour operators and excursions if you wish to explore Chile before you return home. When it is time for your flight home, our staff will provide transportation from your hotel to the Punta Arenas airport.

Après notre petit-déjeuner et en fonction de l’horaire de départ de l’avion, nous avons du temps libre pour profiter encore un peu de Punta Arenas. Puis notre minibus vient nous chercher pour nous accompagner à l'aéroport. Envol pour l’Europe. Atterrissage le jour 17.