Antartica: Expedition to Mount Vinson (4897m), 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 and the highest peak of Antarctica is Mount Vinson – 16,066 ft or 4,897 m.
Note that the itinerary below is just a guideline. We will adapt it as needed depending on weather conditions,
acclimatisation of the team members etc. The flights could be combined on the same day if needed, more time
could be spent in some camps or alternatively, the expedition can be much shorter if all goes well and you could
be back in Chile ahead of schedule.
- 16 Days/15 Nights
- December to January
- Easy
Travel Program
Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner
Contact: More information about the expedition.
Glory Ivonin 7 Summits Club managers
www.klub7vershin.ru
www.7summits-club.com
7 Summits Club Ltd.
B. Sampsonievskiy Av.#45,
St. Petersburg, RUSSIA
+7 (495) 642-88-66 Glory
+7 921 185 25 28 Luba
+7 916 390 88 96 Alex
+7 916 390 88 51 Luda
What's Included
Services included in the prices:
- 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
Not included:
- 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)
What to Bring
What to Bring or take fo Day Hiking and Technical Equipment for Climbing Expedition
This equipment list is compiled to provide you with adequate help when choosing your equipment for a climb. Most items are required. Please consider each of them and make sure you understand the function and exclusive use for mountaineering, before substituting or removing items from this list. Please note that this list has been carefully annotated by the organizer. Remember that mountaineering, mountaineering or mountaineering is an extreme, risky sport, therefore everything related to it is of great attention.
These items should be on your hiking checklist:
Hiking backpack for hiking 30 to 40 liters
Light gloves for hiking or (Optional Mittens waterproof)
Medium weight socks
Sleeping bag (-10º to 15ºC)
Small daypack for one day hiking 20 liters
Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
Hiking boots or shoes
Medium weight parka with fibber fill or down
Rain poncho (or rain gear)
Long-sleeved shirts
Fleece or Wool sweater and/or trousers
Lightweight pants
Cotton short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
Water bottle for hiking or trekking
Strong waterproof duffel bag
Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb
Towel for personal hygiene each participantFirst-aid kit
Regular and long underwear
Knife or multi-tool
Light cap and wool hat
Sunglasses with UV certification, Sun block, lips
The rest of the list Essentials as appropriate for your hike
Grooming and personal hygiene kit
One Hiking Buff per person
Technical Equipment for High Altitude Expedition Mountains
3 Locking carabiners, we recommended per person
We recommend 2 ice screws for each client
1 Daisy Chain (Life Line) per each person
2 Ice axes (per person) technical, we recommended GRIVEL company
1 ATC descender (Rappel), this is very necessary for technical mountains
2 Cords for prusik, very important (Size Cord 6 mm x 10 m. long)
Gloves(Good gloves) for expeditions over 6000meters
Harness, we recommended GRIVEL company
Sleeping pad / Mattress, we recommend with air or inflatable mattress
Crampons, we recommended GRIVEL company
Walking sticks (optional), a pair per person, we recommended GRIVEL company
Down Jacket for expedition
Very important to have personal clothing such as pants and jacket with GOROTEX certification
First aid kit, for high mountains, because we as guides cannot medicate clients
Backpack Capacity 60 liters, it is better to have a bigger backpack to go comfortably to the high camps, because here you have to carry all your personal things
Gaiters or Leggings, now modern boots already have built-in (Incorporated), but better to have an extra pair
Dressing appropriately for the mountains can make the difference between a pleasant trip and a really uncomfortable one. Clothing must provide the right degree of temperature, perspiration and be well ventilated. Preferably cotton clothing should be avoided, as in humid conditions they absorb body heat.
In general, the weather conditions in in the Andes of South America can vary from day to day and even throughout the day. Therefore, clothing must be versatile.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the necessary equipment.
Prices & Dates
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» Additional dates available upon request
» Rates may vary from July 26th to 31th for the national holidays
Prices (per person):
| 1 PAX | 2 PAX | 4 PAX | 6 PAX | 8 PAX | 10 PAX | 12 PAX | 14 PAX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD |
Deposit for reservations: * 5.000,00 USD (380.194,00 Rubles) ✓ Full payment 90 days before. No refund if you cancel less than 90 days!
Places: 
*Available
Trip-code: Number
Duration: 16 days
Participants: Minimal: 6 Maximal: 12
Country / Location: Antartida
Mountain Guide: Luda Korobeshko and Alexande Abramov, 7 Summits Club managers
Other dates / additional info: Contact us!
3% early bird discount when booking 6 months prior to departure 2023
Legend Booking-information:
EZZ Single room supplement
🟢 On this trip, places are still available.
🟡 On this trip, only a few places left.
🔴 This trip is sold out / closed.
Korobeshko Ludmila
- Phone: +7 (495) 642-88-66
- Executive Director.
- The first Russian woman to complete the 7 Summits Project.
- Visited the North and South Poles.
- The third Russian woman to climb Everest
- World record in the speed of climbing 7 Peaks among women
- Mountain guide. Director of the 7 Summits Club.
- He has been climbing and organizing expeditions for 20 years.
- The last 15 years – professionally.
- He has about 100 ascents of varying degrees of difficulty in various countries of the world.
- In 2016, she climbed the summit of Everest three times. Leader of successful expeditions to Cho Oyu (8201) and Manaslu (8163)
Abramov Alexander
- Phone: +7 (495) 642-88-66
- President of the 7 Summits Club.
- Master of Sports of the USSR in mountaineering, 54 years old, professional mountaineer. Mountaineering instructor, mountain guide, high-altitude cameraman. Active member of the Russian Geographical Society.
- Initiator and leader of several well-known projects, such as: “7 Peaks”, “Land Rover on Elbrus”.
- He has been climbing and organizing expeditions and competitions for 28 years.
- The last 25 years – professionally.
- Has made more than 150 ascents of varying difficulty in dozens of countries.
- Organizer and participant of 11 Himalayan expeditions.
Good advice
The flight times and dates are not fixed and are dependent on the combined weather in Antarctica, the Drake
Passage and in Southern Patagonia. Normally the delay is less than 3 days on either side of the expedition, but
rare delays of 10 days have occurred in the past, though the changing of main camp position from Patriot Hills
to Union Glacier has limited delays a lot.
Any delay will not stop the expedition, but they might start and end later than planned. You should be flexible and
should not have vital appointments until at least 2 weeks after the scheduled end of the Vinson Expedition. If you
run out of time and cannot join your delayed flight to Antarctica, you will lose your payment and spot and there
will be no refund or alternative place on a future climb.
On the other hand, if the weather cooperates and the climbers are doing well, then we might be back in Chile
several days ahead of schedule. So, in any case, make sure you have flexible international flights that allow rescheduling.
Tips guidelines (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.
Necessary travel papers (documents)
- Passport
- Filled in special forms for visiting Antarctica
- Chilean multi visa
By air and by land
The price includes all flights in Antarctica.
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.
Accommodation
We can book for you any hotel in Punta Arenas, from 2 to 4 stars. Just name it and pay in cash (or with your credit card) when there.
In Antarctica we stay in strong double tents, 2-3 members to a tent.
Meals
We buy all the necessary food-stuffs in Punta Arenas and the members cook for themselves in the mess tent in BC and in their tents on the route. The guide gives a competent hand.
White gas (4 liters per person) is provided for BC and higher.
Staff
One guide per 3-5 clients
Health and medical insurance
The group will have a first-aid kit.
Each member must have insurance with 150 000USD coverage.
Weather
Antarctic summer: when the sky is cloudless the temperature inside a tent is from 0°C to +10°C. Snow storms are frequent visitors and then the temperature can drop to -35°C (on the tops).
Extra expenses
Hotel in Punta Arenas 30-60USD per day
Meals in Punta Arenas 20-40USD per day
Luggage over 25 kg – 70USD per 1 kg
Internet, phone
At Union Glacier Camp you can buy airtime on shared satellite phones or you can bring your own. The guide will
have a satellite phone for emergency only, but you can use it against a per-minute fee.
Possibility of renting personal equipment
Please let us know well in advance if you need to rent any gear. The shops in Punta Arenas have limited choice
and stock.
Group equipment for BC (provided by 7 Summits Club)
- Mess tent
- Tents in higher camps (2-3 members to a tent)
- Cooking utensils (gas-stoves, pots and pans)
- Satellite phone ($5 per 1 minute)
- First-aid kit
- Solar battery charger
Group climbing equipment (provided by 7 Summits Club)
- gas-stoves
- kitchen utensils
- snow shovels
- tents for high camps
- rope (50 m)
- walkie-talkies
Personal equipment for BC (not included in the price)
- Sleeping bag (good for -40?C)
- Sleeping mat 2 pax
- Gas-stove
- Personal items for washing
- Personal notebook (if needed)
Climbing equipment
- Crampons (G12 model recommended)
- Backpack (50-60 liters)
- Harness
- 6mm cord for prussic knots
- Screwgate carabiners – 4
- Collapsible ski poles
- Thermos
- Descender (rappel device)
- Ice-axe
- Camera
- Video camera and accessories
- Accumulators (batteries)
- Personal eating utensils for high camps
Clothes and footwear
- Trekking shoes
- Climbing boots (Millet’s “Everest” recommended)
- Down jacket + down trousers (or down overalls)
- Gore Tex jacket with a large hood
- Gore Tex trousers
- Polartec Windblock jacket and trousers
- Jacket “Polartec – 100” – 2 items
- Warm underwear – 2 sets
- Polartec gloves – 2 pairs
- Thinsulate gloves
- Thinsulate mittens – 2 pairs
- Warm woolen socks – 4-5 pairs
- Balaclava
- Warm hat
- Polartec Windblock face mask
- UV glasses
- Ski goggles (preferably)
- Gaiters