News from Antarctica & Aconcagua
Our Vinson 2 Team has spent the day exploring the incredible Union Glacier Camp, fat biking in the snow, and doing a 10km loop to get some exercise while we wait for the cloud cover to clear out at Vinson Base Camp.
As soon as the weather permits, they will take advantage, board the ski planes, and fly to Vinson Base Camp to begin their climb.
Meanwhile, on Aconcagua, the team is doing really well at Camp 2. Today, they took a rest day, and while the 5th and 6th look reasonable for a summit bid, the 6th looks like better visibility. The game plan is for the Guides to carry an extra load to Camp 3 tomorrow to reduce the overall weight of the climbers during their Camp 3 move the following day. They are considering the following:
- 4th Jan: Rest at Camp 2/Guides do an extra carry to Camp 3
- 5th Jan: Team moves to Camp 3
- 6th Jan: Summit and descend to Camp 3
- 7th Jan: Descend to Plaza de Mulas base camp
- 8th Jan: Hike out the Horcones Valley, late drive back to Mendoza
Aconcagua Team on the Up and Up
Happy New Year from Argentina.
Our Aconcagua team has strongly and successfully carried and moved to Camp 2 at around 18,000 feet. Everyone is doing well and in good spirits.
Tomorrow, the team will take a well-deserved rest day to acclimate, recover, and enjoy the stunning views of the Andes. After that, the team will look to move to Camp 3 and then will look to the summit!
Vinson Team at Union Glacier
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!
Yesterday, we bid farewell to our first Vinson team after a successful expedition and welcomed our second team to Antarctica as they began their adventure!
The new team has been busy with gear checks, guide briefings, and enjoying some great meals in Punta Arenas. After a few days of weather delays, they’ve now made it to Union Glacier Camp in Antarctica. Currently, the team is waiting for a weather window to fly to Vinson Base Camp and start their climb.
Successful Carry to Camp 1
Our Aconcagua team has successfully carried and cached gear at Camp 1 and returned to base camp at Plaza Argentina. They will take another rest day before moving up to Camp 1. Here's a peek at what we anticipate their schedule will look like over the next few days!
- Rest Day at Base Camp
- Move Day to Camp 1
- Carry Day to Camp 2, return to Camp 1
- Move Day to Camp 2
- Rest Day at Camp 2
- Move Day to Camp 3
- 1st Potential Summit Day
- Trek from Camp 3 to Plaza de Mulas
- Trek from Plaza de Mulas to Puente del Inca
- Fly Home or Relax in Mendoza
- Contingency Day
- Contingency Day
With ample contingency days, our team has a wide window to dial in their summit bid to ensure safety and success on the mountain. We will keep you posted on their progress here and on our social media. A massive kudos to the entire team on a job well done!
Thank you to Senior Guide Robert for sharing this shot:
Rest Day at Plaza Argentina
Our Aconcagua team has successfully completed the three-day trek and arrived in good style at base camp, Plaza Argentina.
After the trek into camp, the team is in good health and high spirits. They're settling in for a well-earned rest day tomorrow before they start climbing. As they rest up, the team will undoubtedly enjoy some of the incredible Argentinian food at base camp.
Stay tuned for more updates as the adventure continues!
Photos courtesy of guide Ty Vineyard
A Year of Summits for Emma Schwerin
Emma Schwerin is redefining what it means to chase big mountain dreams. At just 16, she has summited six of the Seven Summits in record time, with her most recent achievement being Vinson Massif in Antarctica this December. Now, she sets her sights on Everest this April, aiming to become the youngest woman in the world to complete the Seven Summits.
As we follow along on Emma’s journey, it has been an incredible privilege to watch her grow and push her boundaries. She’s not just ticking mountains off a list—she’s inspiring everyone around her, including all of us, with every climb. Here’s a peek into her unstoppable year:
🇦🇺 Kosciuszko (November 2023)
🇹🇿 Kilimanjaro (Janauary 2024)
🇺🇸 Denali (June 2024)
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc (July 2024)
🇦🇷 Aconcagua (December 2024)
🇦🇶 Vinson (December 2024)
Emma’s path reflects not only grit and determination but also adaptability—with Mont Blanc standing in for Elbrus due to the current geopolitical climate in Russia.
Next up for Emma? Everest. We do not doubt that Emma’s grit, determination, and love for the mountains will keep driving her forward. We can’t wait to see her take this next step, and we’re with her all the way.
Thank you to Emma for sharing these photos with our team.
Christmas Asado in Argentina
Happy Holidays, everyone! Over in Argentina, the 2024 climbing season is in full swing, and our next Aconcagua team is well underway.
After landing and enjoying some rest, the team completed thorough gear checks and attended a guide briefing to finalize preparations for the climb. They took some time to explore Mendoza, enjoy its vibrant atmosphere, and come together for a team dinner.
Today, they drove to the entrance of Aconcagua Provincial Park. Tomorrow, the team will begin the three-day trek to base camp.
Our team on the ground has prepared a special Christmas Asado feast (traditional Argentinian BBQ) for them to celebrate Christmas! Spirits are high, and everyone is excited to kick off the expedition.
Merry Christmas from Vinson Base Camp
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas from Vinson Base Camp, fresh off the summit.
The team are all back down safely and enjoying celebrations in style.
As the weather allows they will now fly back to Union Glacier for hot showers, and a quick stop over before making their way back to Chile.
Here are a few photos from Guide Nani.
Congratulations all!
All Climbers On Top: Vinson Summits
Congratulations to our entire team on Vinson Massif for their successful summit today, December 23rd. After moving to high camp on Friday, the crew took a rest day before turning their eyes to the summit.
Here’s who was on top:
- Alex C.
- Sam S.
- Emma S.
- Andy N.
- Dawn R.
- Neil B.
- Guide Mike B.
- Guide Nani S.
Our second team of the season will be hitting the blue ice runway just after the Christmas holiday, and we cannot wait to follow along once again!
Photos from CTSS Archives
Vinson Team Move to Low Camp
Our first Vinson team is making excellent progress in Antarctica!
The crew arrived a day ahead of schedule, thanks to calm winds and clear skies.
After landing at Union Glacier Camp, they had a quick layover before flying directly to Vinson Base Camp at 7,000 feet the same day.
At Base Camp, the team set up camp and took time to rest and enjoy the incredible views before preparing to move to Low Camp.
Yesterday, they made the move up to Low Camp at 9,500 feet. The team is feeling good and doing great! Weather is looking stable and the tentative plan is to move to High Camp tomorrow.
Sending the team continued good weather and safe climbing conditions.
Photos CTSS Archives
