Santiago, Chile - Punta Arenas - Union Glacier - Vinson Massif Base Camp – Summit - Vinson Massif BC – Union Glacier – Punta Arenas

An expedition to Vinson Peak is often called the “Key to the 7 Summits”. The mountain itself does not present serious technical problems, but it is very difficult to even reach it. Mount Vinson is very remote and therefore any expedition is very expensive. The rewards is great: climbing the highest summit of Antarctica is an incredible experience in itself and for many the final step to reaching their 7 summits goal.

A trip to Vinson Massif is exceptionally interesting, beautiful and prestigious. So far very few people have done it and for most, it is the highlight of their "7 summits quest".

Our program starts in Punta Arenas (Chile). From there, a special Ilyushin-76 aircraft takes us to the Union Glacier camp in Antarctica and lands on the ice (with wheels).

From the Union Glacier camp, a small ski-equipped plane brings us to Vinson Massif Base Camp (BC), where we pitch our tents. From here we start the ascent of Mount Vinson, using another 2 intermediate camps before attempting to reach the summit of Mount Vinson, the highest point of Antarctica.

Antarctica is an extremely cold place, even in summer, but as compensation, we will have sunlight all day and night, so 24-hours daylight! You will not need head torches and can save on batteries.

We recommend that you arrive in Punta Arenas (Chile) at least 3 days before the official start of the expedition, so you will be ready for a quick departure to Antarctica. Due to the very unstable weather in the area (we fly over the infamous Drake Passage), our flights cannot be definitely planned in advance; the date and flight time is determined by the weather. Sometimes we leave early, but often there are delays as well. The waiting should not be too long (1-3 days), but rare delays of 10 days have been recorded.

Day 1 Arrival in Punta Arenas.

Day 2 Buying food and equipment if needed.

Day 3 Briefing in the office. Sorting out, packing and weighing the equipment.

Day 4 Flight to Union Glacier by Ilyushin-76 plane.

Day 5 Flight from Union Glacier to Vinson Massif Basecamp at 2,150m

Day 6 Acclimatisation day. Preparation for the ascent.

Day 7 8 hours walk to Camp 2 (2,900 m) with backpack and sled.

Day 8 6 hours acclimatisation climb to Camp 3 (3,900 m) and return to Camp 2

Days 9 Acclimatisation day.

Days 10 6 hours climb to Camp 3 (3,900 m).

Days 11 Summit day.

Days 12 Extra day in case of bad weather.

Days 13 Descent to BC.

Days 14 Flight from BC to Union Glacier.

Days 15 Flight from Union Glacier to Punta Arenas.

Days 16 Flight home

• Meeting and seeing off in Punta Arenas (PA), Chile.
• Hotel reservations in Punta Arenas.
• Obligatory briefing before the departure to Antarctica.
• Flights PA – Union Glacier (UG) and back by Ilyushin-76 plane.
• Flight from Union Glacier to Vinson Massif and back.
• Food and lodging in Antarctica.
• Group equipment for the climb.
• Climbing guide and supporting staff including a doctor for the whole trip.
• Luggage allowance (25 kg on all flights in Antarctica).
• Team jacket (Polartec&Windbloc) with 7 summits Club logo.
• Two T-shirts with 7 summits Club logo

• Chilean multiple entry visa (when we leave for Antarctica, you are going through immigration and officially leaving Chile and will, therefore, need another visa to re-enter after the climb.)
• International flights to Punta Arenas, Chile (IATA code: PUQ).
• Accommodation and meals in Punta Arenas (we will reserve any hotel you like, but you are responsible for the costs).
• Personal camping and climbing clothing and equipment.
• Extra expenses in Punta Arenas due to flight delays before or after the expedition.
• Extra expenses due to an early return from Antarctica for whichever reason.
• Excess weight, over 25kg (which includes hand luggage!); excess weight is currently charged at USD $ 77 per kilo (!)
• Medical and evacuation insurance covering climbing to 5000m (with at least 150,000USD in coverage)

(important information!)

You entrust your life, health, your time and money to the guides. And the guides take this responsibility for you and for the success of the whole trip. They are doing this 24 hours per day. 10-20 USD per day is expected as the normal amount of tips for the Guides and the staff of the program. If you liked everything about the trip, please don't forget to thank them. You can give the tips directly to the Main Guide and he will distribute it among the staff; additionally, you can thank specific staff members.

• Passport with 6 months validity after the return flight.
• Filled in special forms for visiting Antarctica (we will assist).
• Chilean multiple entry visa if needed for your nationality

Return flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica Luggage allowance for these flights (hand + checked luggage) is 25 kg, excess luggage is $77/kg Group equipment is divided equally among the members to carry during the ascent.

We can reserve any hotel in Punta Arenas for you, from 2 to 4 stars, or you can do it online yourself. In Antarctica we stay in strong double tents, 2-3 members per tent.

We buy all the necessary food in Punta Arenas and the members cook for themselves in the mess tent in BC and in their tents on the route. The guide coordinates and assists. White gas (4 liters per person) is provided for use in BC and in the higher camps.

One guide per 3-5 clients.

Antarctic summer: when it is sunny the temperature inside a tent is from 0°C to +15°C. Snow storms are frequent; then the temperature can quickly drop to -35°C. Near the summit it can be -40 degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit.

• Hotel in Punta Arenas USD $30-60 per day
• Meals in Punta Arenas USD $20-40 per day
• Luggage over 25 kg (including hand luggage) – 77USD per kg

• Mess tent
• Shared tents in higher camps (2-3 members per tent).
• Cooking utensils (gas-stoves, pots and pans).
• Satellite phone ($5 per minute).
• First-aid kit.
• Solar battery charger.
• Shared tents in higher camps (2-3 members per tent).
• Cooking utensils (gas-stoves, pots and pans).
• snow shovels
• rope (50 m)
• walkie-talkies
• Sleeping bag (rated -40 degrees C/F)
• Sleeping mattress.
• Personal items for washing (wet wipes etc)
• Personal notebook (if needed)
• Crampons for shoes with stiff soles (like the G12 model)
• Backpack (50-60 litres)
• Alpine climbing harness
• 6mm cord for prussic knots
• Screwgate carabiners - 4
• Adjustable ski poles
• Thermos flask
• Descender (rappel device)
• Ice-axe (non-technical)
• Camera
• Batteries
• Personal plate/bowl and eating utensils for high camps
• Trekking shoes
• Cold-weather climbing boots (Millet “Everest” recommended)
• Down jacket + down trousers (or down suit)
• Gore-Tex jacket with a large hood
• Gore-Tex trousers
• Polartec Windblock jacket and trousers.
• 2 fleece Jacket “Polartec - 100”.
• Warm underwear - 2 sets
• Polartec gloves – 2 pairs
• Thinsulate gloves
• Thinsulate mittens - 2 pairs
• Warm woollen socks - 4-5 pairs
• Balaclava
• Warm hat
• Polartec Windblock face mask
• UV glasses
• Ski goggles (UV400)

+357 99 89 12 69 EVGEN STAROSELSKIY

e-mail: infostars.mountains@gmail.com

FB page: Climber_CY

Instagram page: yevgenstaroselskiy