2026 has arrived, and we have three teams on the mountain ringing in the new year in style!

First, our Vinson team climbers touched down at Union Glacier on December 31st, catching the last plane of 2025. Since then, the weather has been clear and calm, and the team celebrated the New Year with a dance party, costumes, and plenty of sunshine (thank you, midnight sun).

CTSS Guide Josh McDowell shared this with our team: “Everyone did an amazing job to help set up camp, folks are in good spirits, and all is well at Vinson Base Camp!”

Photos from CTSS Guide Josh McDowell.

On Aconcagua, our team continues to make their way up the mountain via the 360 Route. Today they are resting at Camp 2, and tomorrow they will move to Camp 3.

Photos from CTSS Guide Macarena Zanotti.

And rounding out our 2026 New Year’s, our team on Kilimanjaro officially hit the trail. They are progressing at an intentionally slow and steady pace. Today, they will make their way to Barranco Camp, climbing over a 15,000ft pass before dropping back down to 12,800ft. A classic climb high, sleep low, day for our team. Tomorrow, they will take on the famed Barranco Wall, a steep, hands-on scramble that looks intimidating but is far more fun than difficult.

Photos from CTSS Guide Dr. Brenton Systermans & Climber Eva Steinwald.