Climb the Highest Peak in Antarctica with International Mountain Guides

This is the trip of a lifetime. Our goal is the highest peak on the Antarctic continent. Vinson Massif (16,067') requires a solid mountaineering background and a true spirit of adventure. Technical difficulties are not great but the extremes of this environment require team members to have reasonable crampon, rope travel and ice ax experience. Prior time spent cold weather camping and carrying loads is also required.

As equipment for this expedition is extremely important, one full day will be spent in Punta Arenas doing equipment checks prior to our flight to the Ice.

We have been conducting trips to Vinson since 1988. Very few guide services have that length of Antarctic experience.

Expedition Highlights

We fly to Punta Arenas, Chile where the trip begins. From here, we fly in a chartered Russian jet to the Patriot Hills at 80 degrees S. Latitude. We contract with Adventure Network International for this flight and all our logistics in Antarctica. We then fly in a ski-equipped twin-engine Otter to the base of Vinson at 79 degrees S. Latitude. Vinson Base Camp is located approx. 660 miles from the South Pole. The pilots are Antarctic experts. The trip will take a minimum of 20 days (weather permitting) and will be open to only six experienced climbers.

Two camps will be required above base camp. We establish each of these camps by making a carry to the new camp prior to moving up. The climbing will consist of extensive cramponing on moderately steep slopes. The ability to camp and take care of yourself in extreme conditions are very important. Temperatures can range to minus 40°. Think of Vinson as a short Mt. McKinley climb.

Antarctica is an amazing place. It's as close as you will ever get to another planet without leaving this one. Vinson is one of the most unique of the Seven Summits adventures. We hope you will seriously consider joining us on a trip to the Ice.

Vinson Guides

Antarctic Peak Bagger

In addition to his 9 Everest summits, IMG guide Dave Hahn has climbed Vinson Massif 25 times as of 2007. That's significantly more than anyone else in the world. Read Dave's columns »