Vinson Summit gemeinsam mit Felix Berg 100% Team Erfolg zum Start ins Jahr 2023 © SummitClimb Vinson
+49 (0)30 774 9034

SummitClimb Mount Vinson, your dedicated team of guides for:
✪ Mountaineering in Antarctica
✪ The most isolated of the Seven Summits
✪ Extreme nature, a coveted destination
✪ Experience of a lifetime

Mountaineering

Technical scale: Mountaineering skills required for our expeditions, alpine tours and demanding trekking.
 
1 - easy
2 - quite difficult
3 - difficult
4 - very difficult
5 - extreme
 
Mountaineering is the underlying ability to climb any mountain. On classic expeditions, many exposed areas are secured.
 

1 - easy / simple

"Easy" on expedition already includes mountaineering in alpine terrain or on glaciers up to grad ZS/AD "quite difficult" according to alpine scale. Exposed areas and crevasses are fixed if possible. Basic knowledge in handling ice axe / crampons and rope is required.

2 - quite difficult

Route with extensive passages in the grad ZS/AD: Safe handling with an ice ax, crampons and rope are required. Exposed places or crevasses are fixed if possible or walked in rope team.

3 - difficult

Persistent suspended passages must be managed. These will be insured if possible. Mountaineering on the alpine scale S/D "difficult" with exposed climbing passages (up to IV. UIAA degree). Good use of crampons and rope is required, as well as safe climbing in combined terrain.
 

4 - very demanding

Exposed and demanding route. The difficulties range up to the alpine scale SS/TD "very difficult" and are mostly insured. Dealing with fixed rope and climbing clamps, increased demands on climbing technique, physical conditions and experience are required, as are all the demands of "difficult" mountaineering.
 

5 - extreme

Very demanding mountaineering, even without the possibilities of protection. The terrain will rarely exceed the alpine difficulty SS/TD, but can reach the requirements of the alpine scale AS/ES "extremely difficult". Above-average ability and a lot of experience in alpine mountaineering are expected.
 
Danger Warning: For safety reasons, your personal skills and sufficient experience are required for each expedition and ascent (specific description under Information / Requirements).

Stamina - Endurance

A mountain athlete needs endurance above any other specific fitness skill. Cardiovascular fitness is of course always subject to the movement (as climbing rocks or steep ice, you will not be able to transfer your triathlete or running fitness to mountains without being solid in the required mountaineering skills).

1 - Active Tour
Easy treks to EBC or on top of Kilimanjaro. You should be an active person.
 
2 - Sportive Tour
More demanding treks, simple climbs, like the climb of Elbrus. You should be a sportive person regularly exercising (at least 2-3x per week).
 
3 - Demanding Trek / Expedition
Very demanding treks like to the top of Aconcagua, or expeditions at the physical lower level like Ama Dablam. You should be an endurance athlete wit mountaineering experience. You should train endurance at least 3x/week.
 
4 - High Endurance - Expedition
To climb Everest (with oxygen-support) or some of the "easier" 8000m peaks you need a strong endurance. You should train specifically at least 4-5x per week.
 
5 - Very high Endurance - Expedition
Some of our special self-supported 8000m+ peak climbs as on Makalu, or to climb Everest (without oxygen-support) fit into this category. Your endurance should be near the level of a professional mountain athlete. 

Reiseerfahrungen aus unserem Blog

Mount Vinson - Antarctica Expedition

Selected dates:
to

Full service:
49.950,00 €

Airport of departure:

Punta Arenas, Chile


Mount Vinson 2024 & 2025

SummitClimb Vinson Expeditions are led by Antarctic-experienced expedition leaders, the most seasoned experts from our team. Expedition dates are assigned to similar timeframes each year, providing sufficient reserve time and extra flexibility for the mountain tours.

Groups on Vinson:
• Minimum 3 participants (1 leader)
• Maximum 10 participants (2 leaders)
• Minimum 1 guide per 5 guests

Experience & Adventure

We only accept participants with mountain and expedition experience for our Mount Vinson teams. We seamlessly integrate the teaching experience into every guided Vinson expedition. In the remoteness of Antarctica, mutual reliance is crucial.

Mount Vinson - Costs and Services:

Your SummitClimb Mount Vinson membership includes:
 
  • Leadership / Mountain Guide:
    - expedition leader (min. 4 members, max. 5 members)
    - Additional mountain guide from 6 members (max. 10 members)
  • Preparation and arrival:
    - Preparation meeting in the Alps / Pyrenees or online 
    - 1st briefing, preparation papers, 2nd briefing on the expedition
  • Punta Arena, Chile - Patagonia:
    - Airport transfers in Punta Arena, Chile
    - 4 x Overnight/F in ****hotel
  • Transfers to Mount Vinson:
    - Airport transfers in Punta Arena, Chile
    - Roundtrip flight to Union Glacier, ANTARCTICA 
    - Roundtrip flight from Union Glacier to Vinson Base Camp
    - Free baggage allowance for check-in: max. 25kg
    - Small hand luggage: max. 7 kg
  • Union Glacier Camp:
    - Overnight stay in tents
    - Community toilets
    - Shared shower
    - Three meals a day (buffet)
    - Satellite phone calls for a fee
    - Limited charging station (USB or 120VA/C, US)
    - Small emergency clinic with staff
    - Emergency pharmacy
  • Mount Vinson - Base Camp:
    - Overnight stay in tents (Hilleberg)
    - Group tent (Hilleberg Dome)
    - Extensive catering
    - Final dinner and small summit celebration
  • Mount Vinson ascent:
    - High camp tents (Hilleberg)
    - Stove, gas, and special rations
    - Sledges for transport of equipment
    - Glacier ropes, group equipment
    - First aid kit
    - at least 1 mountain guide per 5 participants
    - IRIDIUM satellite phone for emergencies
    - GPS and satellite emergency transmitter
    - VHF radio for communication
    - Weather report via Base Camp

Not included:
  • Insurance (min. USD 150'000 for rescue)
  • International flight to Chile
  • Meals during the day and in the evening in Punta Arenas
  • Personal equipment
  • Additional flights in Antarctica
  • Excess baggage (more than 25kg)
  • Extra days in case of extension in Antarctica
  • Satellite phone - usage fee
  • Tips / Gratitudes

Mount Vinson - expedition itinerary

Day 1 - Flight to Chile / Latest Arrival: Latest arrival in Punta Arenas. Transfer to the hotel (B&B).

Day 2 - Chile, Mount Vinson preparation: team breakfast, gear check, organization, last purchases, team training,

Day 3 - Chile, gear preparation: Preparation for the flight to Antarctica's Union Glacier Camp.

Day 4 - Flight to Vinson Base Camp (BC): We fly with a Boeing-757-aircraft in 4h15min to Union Glacier Camp, the base for tourist excursions to Western Antarctica. If the weather* is favorable, we change to a "ski plane" and continue to the Vinson Basecamp (BC) Glacier at an altitude of 2,140 meters / 7,020 feet.

Day 5 - Vinson Base Camp: Acclimatization around the base camp. With a small group of max. 5 guests per guide, we explore the individual skills to prepare for the challenge of the ascent in the best possible way. We sort out the personal material and everyone packs his rucksack including a share of food, gas, stove, and tent.

Day 6 - BC to Low Camp: On the Branscomb glacier, we head towards Low Camp (2750 m). The route is flat, so we can carry our equipment (typically 18-22kg per climber) 30% in a backpack and 70% on a sled. Stage: ↑650 Hm, 9 km, 4-6 h.

Day 7 - Climb around Low Camp: The camp remains in the shade until the late morning. After late breakfast, we plan a small tour and rest. Feeling strong, participants can ascent Knutzen Peak (3,372 m / 11,060 ft).

Day 8 - Low Camp to High Camp: If the weather forecast for the next days is positive, we will climb. Thereby we have to overcome an up to 45° steep ascent with fixed ropes. After further flat terrain, the High Camp is set up at 3780 m. Stage: ↑1020 Hm, 6-8h.

Day 9 - Climb Mount Vinson: If the weather permits and everyone feels strong, we will go for the summit push. We will take reserve capacities for 2 or 3 full days in high camp depending on the weather forecast.

Mount Vinson - Ascent: The main part of the route runs through the gently ascending Vinson Valley before a short steep slope in up to 40° steep terrain leads to the rocky, spectacular summit ridge. Summit: a magnificent place! The views of Mount Gardner, Tyree, Epperly, and Shinn dominate in front of the Antarctic ice field, where massive peaks repeatedly protrude through the eternal ice shield. A breathtaking moment, as we stand at 4,892 meters /16'050 feet on top of Antarctica. After some summit photos, we descend to the high camp. Summit stage: ↑↓1110 Hm, 8km, 9-12h.

Day 10 - Climb Mount Shinn: This day serves as a reserve day for the Mount Vinson ascent. Alternatively, we can climb Mount Shinn from the same high camp. The somewhat more challenging climb - a bit more technical than Mount Vinson - leads to a summit with very nice views of the northern Sentinel Range.

Day 11 - Descent: The way to base camp past Low Camp is usually easily done in one day. In the evening we celebrate the ascent with a hearty meal. Route; ↓1670 Hm, 14 km, 9-12h.

Day 12 - Vinson Base Camp: Reserve day.

Day 13 - Union Glacier: We fly back to Union Glacier Camp, where a hot shower awaits us and we can relax in a little more comfort.

Day 14 - Union Glacier: We can explore the region around the Union Glacier, enjoying the ambiance of Antarctica for the last time.

Day 15 - Flight Antarctica - Punta Arenas: After consideration of the weather* forecast and conditions of the runway we plan the return flight to Punta Arenas.

Day 16 to 19 - Punta Arenas (4 reserve days): We plan sufficient reserve days for the Antarctic considering normal weather patterns*. Under consideration of the weather forecasts and available flights, we may choose to stay a few days longer or return one day earlier to Punta Arenas. Plenty of options are available to spend a few extra days in Patagonia**

Day 20 - return flight: Transfer to the airport and return flight (extension** if necessary) to your home destination.

Some important notes for the Mount Vinson, Antarctica, itinerary follows:

* Antarctic flights/weather

All flights are dependent on visibility and weather. We have a total of 6 reserve days, in the itinerary 1 day on the climb, another day on the Union Glacier, and 4 days for the flight. Depending on the weather forecast (mostly it is dry, but winds are important to consider) we can push these days a bit. Should we be stuck in Antarctica due to weather despite these reserve days, the rebooking of the international flights and all personal consequential damages will be at your expense (reinsurance possible if necessary).

** End of the tour in Patagonia

After the successful ascent of Mount Vinson and the return flight, we will use the remaining reserve days to finish the expedition at the southern tip of the South American continent. Patagonia offers many beautiful viewpoints for one or even several days (at a low additional cost we organize this spontaneously on-site).

 

What it takes to climb Mount Vinson

Requirements: You should have experience in high mountains and camping in winter conditions. We have no porters in Antarctica and have to transport heavy loads. The ascent is relatively easy, but because of the remoteness, you have to be a good team player and meet the technical and physical requirements solidly.
 
Technical requirements: The ascent of Mount Vinson is to be rated as a high-altitude tour in the PD+/AD- range. The steepest passages are provided by fixed ropes. You should have knowledge of climbing with jumars on fixed lines, crampon walking, handling ice axes and roped-up glacier walking.
 
Physical requirements: You need to be fit for 1100 meters (3500 feet) of ascent and descent on the summit day and several days of physical strain under difficult conditions. Temperatures below -40°C and longer storms can occur.
 
COVID-19: Vaccination is mandatory for participation in this expedition.

SummitClimb 2023 Mount Vision Team on Union Glacier Antarctica, together with guide Felix Berg | © Antartica Expedition Mount Vinson (c) SummitClimb
Felix Berg and team members infront of Hilleberg tents on Camp 1 on Mount Vinson | © Antartica Expedition Mount Vinson (c) SummitClimb
Mountaineering teams moving from Camp 1 to Camp 2 on Mount Vinson, Antarctica | © Antartica Expedition Mount Vinson (c) SummitClimb
Two teams of mountaineers approaching Camp 2 on Mount Vinson with view over the Antarctic Inland | © Antartica Expedition Mount Vinson (c) SummitClimb
Mountaineers moving up the glacier towards Mount Vinson on summit day | © Antartica Expedition Mount Vinson (c) SummitClimb
Team of 3 mountaineers approaching the summit of Mount Vinson  | © Antartica Expedition Mount Vinson (c) SummitClimb
Great Weather for SummitClimb Team with Felix Berg on Mount Vinson 100% Success | © Antartica Expedition Mount Vinson (c) SummitClimb
Magdalena Wilczek on top of Mount Vinson Summit 2023  | © Antartica Expedition Mount Vinson (c) SummitClimb

Infos

You can call us at:
+49 (0)30 774 9034

Or send us an e-mail:
info@summitclimb.de

request

Full service
49.950,00 €

book

Mount Vinson - Antarctica Expedition

27. Dec - 15. Jan 2025


Du kannst unsere Reisen direkt online buchen unter:
https://www.summitclimb.de

You can call us at:
+49 (0)30 774 9034

Or send us an e-mail:
info@summitclimb.de

South Pole - Last Degree by Ski

Experience: You’ll witness the stark beauty and silence of the high polar plateau, feel the physical demands of sled hauling, enjoy the bonds of friendship built through our shared challenge, and know that you have arrived by ski at the ultimate destination – the South Pole – through your own effort and determination.

Program: We will fly to 89°S and ski the last 60 nautical miles (69 mi/111 km) to reach the most southerly point on Earth and experience firsthand the challenges faced by early explorers. Ski Last Degree captures the essence of polar exploration in an incredible twelve-day expedition (+12 days in addition to your Vinson Expedition).

Last Degree by Ski - Costs and Services

Included:
***Inclusions apply only when purchased as an add-on to our Mount Vinson expedition.
 
Not Included:
  • Insurance coverage—personal, medical, evacuation, or otherwise
  • Additional flights within Antarctica
  • Personal equipment and clothing
  • Expenses incurred due to delays
  • Luggage over 55 lb (25 kg)
  • Satellite phone charges

Mount Vinson SummitClimb Add-On 2022/23

Costs (status: 11. Feb. 2022): USD 52,000.-

Visit the South Pole

Experience the power of this special place. History comes alive as you stand at 90° South, the ultimate goal of polar explorers Amundsen and Scott. Imagine how it felt to head out across the frozen continent and into the unknown over 100 years ago. Feel the spirit of determination and discovery that has inspired a century of Antarctic exploration and scientific research.

Program: We fly to the South Pole, where all 360 lines of longitude meet, and in a few steps you can walk around the worldTour Amundsen-Scott Station and take photographs at the Ceremonial Pole, surrounded by the flags of the Antarctic Treaty signatory nations. A journey to the South Pole is a significant achievement for any world traveler, and only one extra day is needed in addition to your Vinson climb.

South Pole visit (+1 day) - costs

What's Included:
***Inclusions apply only when purchased as an add-on to our Mount Vinson Expedition (+ 1 day).
 
What's Not Included:

Mount Vinson SummitClimb Add-On 2022/23

Costs: USD 35'000.-

Request / Book
+49 (0)30 774 9034 info@summitclimb.de