At CTSS, we offer a variety of different climb options to customize your Vinson experience to your climbing style and ability:

Allowing you to customize your expedition to suit your needs is a huge priority for us.

As mountaineers ourselves, we understand that it’s the little things that can make the difference. Comfortable, well-rested climbers are successful climbers, and climbers who have objectives that are suited to their skill level are happy climbers.

What other activities can I do while in Antarctica?

Join us for one of our add-on activities, or make it a two-mountain expedition:

• South Pole Last Degree Ski
• South Pole Flight & Overnight
• South Pole Flight
• Vinson + Mount Sidley Climb
• Vinson + Aconcagua Climb

What is a good fitness and training program for this climb?

• Climbing conditioning – pack-loaded uphill hiking, walking, and stair climbing
• Strength training – for the lower and upper body
• Cardiovascular training – including both aerobic and anaerobic workouts without pack weight
• Flexibility training

How do you get to the mountain?

The expedition meets in Punta Arenas, in the Patagonia region of southern Chile. From here we board a Boeing 757 to fly the 4.5 hours onto the ice in Antarctica.

We land on a naturally occurring blue ice runway at Union Glacier Camp before further organizing our gear, then board a smaller Twin Otter plane on skis that will take us to Vinson Base Camp (approximately a 45-minute flight) to begin the climb.

At the expedition’s completion, the process is reversed, with a plane flying into Vinson Base Camp to collect us and take us back to Union Glacier Camp, where we can fly back to Chile on the 757 and onward home from there.

Will I need to share a tent?

Yes, we will share tents both at Vinson Base Camp and on the mountain. This is due to the extreme cold, where sharing tents keeps everyone warmer and safer. It also reduces the weight of carrying extra, unnecessary tents when pack weights are already significant. Please plan to share a tent with one of your fellow climbers. If this is a concern for a valid reason, don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss it.

How cold will it be?

Very. Although temperatures during the day low on the mountain can get to 70°F, most of the time, they are well below freezing. Nighttime temperatures can be -40°F lower on the mountain, and summit temperatures can be from -20°F to -60°F, depending on the wind and how direct the sun is.

Please be prepared for extreme cold and be hyper-vigilant to avoid frostbite. Listen to your guide’s advice and speak up if you are feeling cold or numb.

How heavy will my pack be?

In general, climbing packs on Vinson are moderately heavy to quite heavy. Most of the time, you will likely be carrying 40 lbs—50 lbs (18kg—24kg), while on a few days, like the move to and descent from High Camp, you’ll carry closer to 50 lbs—65 lbs (24kg—30kg).

All the group gear is spread equally throughout the team. Like all our expeditions, there is a strict Leave No Trace policy, so it is best to bring only what you need and prepare your body in training to carry weight.

What size pack do I need?

We highly recommend bringing a 100L pack. Some people bring an 80L and then struggle to fit everything in during the descent from high camp, which is the only time we are not double-carrying. We find it easier to bring a 100L and have extra room.

What about gear and boots?

We highly recommend a down-filled top and bottom combo rather than a full down-filled suit. The combo is much more versatile and makes it easier to adjust the temperature. Once you put on the down suit, you are stuck in it for hours, if not the whole day, and may overheat. Vinson climbers are a lot more comfortable in a down-filled top and bottom combo.

We recommend triple boots such as the Scarpa Phantom 8000 or La Sportiva Olympus Mons. Something like the Baruntse with an overboot can work, too, but it is not ideal. The Baruntse alone would not be warm enough. You can find overboots through 40 Below, a company out of Graham, Washington. The drawback of overboots is that the fit isn’t as secure with crampons, you don’t have the same grip on the bottom of your boots when you have them on, and they can be difficult to put on. That said, some people use them for Vinson, and it is your choice.

What is the food like on the climb?

In general, our food on and off the mountain is excellent. There are many good restaurants in Punta Arenas that we will check out. At Union Glacier Camp, first-rate chefs will be preparing our food for us. On the mountain, the guides will be cooking large, hearty meals that are very tasty, albeit a bit more rustic than in town. Think eggs, pancakes, burgers, pasta and rice dishes, meat and vegetables, potato dishes, and even fish.

If you have dietary restrictions or requirements, please let us know well ahead of departure so that we can accommodate you.

We also ask that guests bring along some of their favorite snacks, as many people find they have a loss of appetite whilst at altitude and a preference for things they know they like. Make sure you pack plenty of goodies you are familiar with that will tempt you even when you don’t feel hungry.

High-energy gels or Gu Bloks are also recommended for summit days.

When should I get to Punta Arenas?

You need to be in Punta Arenas, Argentina, two days before we fly to Antarctica, but we suggest considering getting to Punta Arenas three days in advance in case of any baggage or flight delays. The extra night in town associated with arriving early would be your own expense but we can easily book the hotel for you if you like. It is better to be there early than to arrive late and risk missing the flight or not having your gear in time.

Should I expect big travel delays and weather holds?

Travel in Antarctica is unique, as are the weather patterns and the mountain range we climb. Our flight operator is the best in the business and well-versed in Antarctic air travel. Safety is everyone’s main priority, so they will not fly in marginal conditions or poor visibility. Weather delays can happen while we wait for clear windows to fly. They don’t always happen, but it’s worth noting that they can.

There are plenty of contingencies in place for this, with cached resources, food, fuel, and medical supplies in the event of lengthy delays at Vinson Base Camp and Union Glacier Camp. We ask that you be aware that delays can be a part of an Antarctic adventure and that you notify family and friends that in the event of a delay, this is not a situation to be concerned about.

As the saying goes, it’s better to be on the ground wishing you were in the sky rather than in the sky wishing you were on the ground.  Safety is more important to us all than scheduling.

When should I book my return flight?

Most people book roundtrip flights up front with the return date being set back to a later date in case we get delayed. Weather in Antarctica is unique, and flights are dependent on good windows. Delays aren’t uncommon and should be expected. You may find yourself waiting for a flight on and off the continent as well as to and from the mountain. It is worth letting your family and workplace know this and not booking other commitments too close to your proposed return date, just in case.

We usually ask people to book a flexible fare and loosely book it for three days after the scheduled return date or so. If you are on time, we usually reschedule our flights home, knowing that there is lots of availability on flights from Punta Arenas, and it’s easy to get on a flight.

If you are returning early to Chile and don’t want to move your flight up, Patagonia is an incredible destination to explore, and it is worth exploring while you are in the region.

Will I need to purchase trip insurance?

Yes. Trip delay and cancellation, rescue, repatriation, and medical insurance are mandatory for this program for your own benefit. We have seen too many times when people need to cancel their trip either before or during the expedition for reasons such as injury, health, family, and business matters. With such a long trip and so much at stake, climbers need to be prepared for contingencies.

How can my family and friends reach me?

Mount Vinson and the South Pole are very remote, and the only means of communication is via satellite phone or device. Our expeditions are equipped with these, and depending on battery supply, clients can call home on a limited basis for an extra charge.

If your family needs to reach you for an urgent reason, we encourage them to contact the office via info@climbingthesevensummits.com, and they can contact us to pass on a message or arrange a phone call. We contact base with updates most days, which are published on our blog. The blog is a great news source for family and friends wanting to follow along. Please also advise your loved ones that no news is good news and help manage their expectations that they won’t necessarily hear updates every day or be able to contact you as easily as on other expeditions.