Final Teams on Aconcagua
Climbing season is well underway in Aconcagua, and our private team kicked off their expedition with a gear check and dinner in Mendoza, Argentina, before starting their journey to Plaza Argentina (base camp during their ascent) over the weekend.
On the heels of our private team, our final team climb has successfully landed and convened in Mendoza. Shortly after arriving, the team completed their gear checks, got their climbing permits, and traveled to Puente del Inca to start their trek. Tomorrow, the team will head to Plaza Argentina, which will also serve as the team’s base camp during the ascent.
Check-ins with our guides indicate that the entire team is psyched to start their climb of Aconcagua via the 360 Route (also called the False Polish Traverse).
Photo from CTSS Guide Andres G. (Private Climb)
Photos from CTSS Client Anirudh K. (Team Climb)
Cotopaxi Summits for Ecuador Volcanoes Team
Our Ecuador team spent yesterday practicing skills on Cotopaxi and preparing for a summit attempt. Today, the team got an alpine start and put their skills to use during their successful summit bid on Cotopaxi (19,347 feet)!
Congratulations to the following climbers who stood on top:
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Chelsey M.
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Marc M.
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Toni B.
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Chad J.
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Kevin S.
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Daniel B.
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Kyle R.
- Guide Edgar P.
- Guide Luke R.
Cotopaxi is one of the world’s highest active volcanoes and Ecuador’s second-highest summit. Since 1738, this perfectly symmetrical cone volcano has erupted more than 50 times, most recently in 2022. The recent flurry of activity also meant that Cotopaxi was closed for more than a year, but early last year, the peak stabilized and reopened for climbing.
Next for the team will be a summit attempt on Cayambe (18,996 feet).
Photos from CTSS Guide Edgar P.
That's a Wrap for our Vinson Season!
Good news from Antarctica: Our team got confirmation that they will fly off the ice today, back to Punta Arenas, Chile, and start their journey home! That’s officially a wrap on a fantastic season on Vinson for us, with 100% summit success for all of our climbers!
Here are a few shots from our 2024/2025 season:
Meanwhile, in Ecuador, the team spent time exploring Quito a bit with a trip up the Teleferiqo and a short acclimatization hike. This was followed by a trip to the equator, where they balanced some eggs on the head of a nail and watched water swirl in opposite directions in a toilet bowl.
Yesterday, the entire group climbed to the summit of Rumiñahui to acclimatize; despite some rainy weather, they had a great time!
Today, they are doing skills training on the lower slopes of Cotopaxi to prepare for their upcoming climb!
Over the weekend...
Congratulations to our 3rd and final Vinson team who summited in style yesterday. After lengthy weather delays their patience paid off and they all stood on the summit!
They are now making their way back down the mountain and starting their journey home from Vinson Base Camp. We are crossing our fingers for good weather for them to fly back to Union Glacier Camp first and then onward off the continent and back to Punta Arenas, Chile.
Meanwhile, our Ecuador team convened in Quito for the start of their trip! Today they are doing gear checks and guide briefings in the morning and heading up for some acclimatization on the Teleférico de Quito before taking an Equator tour!
Photos CTSS archives
Mont Blanc Private Climb
Private Mont Blanc Expedition
Contact us for pricing, dates, and availability.
Our Mont Blanc expeditions run from the end of June through September to take advantage of the best weather and most favorable summit conditions. Whether you’re looking for a group climb or want a customized private climb to expand your skill set, we can arrange an expedition that fits your style and timeframe.
- If our team climb dates don’t work for you, or you would like a private trip and private guide, we also build custom itineraries for many of our climbers.
- For all private Mont Blanc expeditions, you must book as far in advance as possible, ideally 6 or more months before your desired dates. Space is limited in the mountain huts we use for this expedition and sell out each season.
- You can climb Mont Blanc as a stand-alone climb or dovetail it with other climbs in the Alps, including the Matterhorn and the Eiger. Together, Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and the Eiger make up the Alpine Big Three, the ultimate trilogy for any mountaineer.
Our Mont Blanc expeditions offer a challenging ascent, requiring physical fitness, technical climbing skills, and mental endurance. It’s an infamous and highly sought-after summit that sits on the border of France and Italy with sweeping views that have been enticing climbers for years.
Itinerary:
This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and conditions. This is adventure travel, meaning things rarely go as planned, and this schedule will likely change. Climbers need to be adaptable and positive.
We always recommend climbers arrive in Chamonix one day early to avoid travel delays or issues with lost baggage. Added expenses (hotel/food/sightseeing) of this extra day are the client’s responsibility.
- Day 1: Arrival day, gear checks
- Day 2: Train and acclimatize on the Mont Blanc range (ex. Aiguille du Midi)
- Day 3: Train and acclimatize on the Mont Blanc range (ex. Punta Hellbronner)
- Day 4: Begin Mont Blanc climb (Les Houches to Tête Rousse Hut)
- Day 5: Summit day (Tête Rousse Hut to Goûter Hut)
- Day 6: Return to Chamonix
- Day 7: Departure day
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect
Included in the Mont Blanc Expedition
- IFMGA Mountain Guide at a 2:1 guide-to-client ratio for your summit day and a 4:1 ratio for your training days.
- Summit attempt of Mont Blanc plus 2 training days in the Mont Blanc range
- All accommodations, including 4 nights at a hotel in the Chamonix Valley, as well as 2 nights at mountain huts
- All meals, including a team dinner on the first night in Chamonix. You will need to bring your own selection of snacks for fuel during the training days and summit climb. We recommend a variety of your favorite snacks, enough for 5 snack breaks at 300-400 calories per break.
- Transport within the itinerary, including cable cars and trains
- All group gear, including mountaineering tents, cooking gear, stoves, ropes, etc.
- Group first aid equipment
Excluded from the Mont Blanc Expedition
- Flight costs
- Airport transfers from the Geneva Airport (Switzerland)
- Snacks and drinks during the expedition. You will need to bring your own selection of snacks for fuel during the training days and summit climb. We recommend a variety of your favorite snacks, enough for 5 snack breaks at 300-400 calories per break.
- All personal climbing equipment is the responsibility of the client.
- In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, any rescue expenses or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs, including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping, are the responsibility of the client.
- Guide tips (customary, but optional)
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
Mont Blanc Team Climb
Mont Blanc Team Climb: $5,995 USD
Dates:
- June 27 – July 3, 2025
Our Mont Blanc expeditions run from the end of June through September to take advantage of the best weather and most favorable summit conditions. Whether you’re looking for a group climb or want a customized private climb to expand your skill set, we can arrange an expedition that fits your style and timeframe.
- If these dates don’t work for you, or you would like a private trip and private guide, we also build custom itineraries for many of our climbers.
- You can climb Mont Blanc as a stand-alone climb or dovetail it with other climbs in the Alps, including the Matterhorn and the Eiger. Together, Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and the Eiger make up the Alpine Big Three, the ultimate trilogy for any mountaineer.
Our seven-day Mont Blanc expeditions offer a challenging ascent, requiring physical fitness, technical climbing skills, and mental endurance. It’s an infamous and highly sought-after summit that sits on the border of France and Italy with sweeping views that have been enticing climbers for years.
Itinerary:
This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and conditions. This is adventure travel, meaning things rarely go as planned, and this schedule will likely change. Climbers need to be adaptable and positive.
We always recommend climbers arrive in Chamonix one day early to avoid travel delays or issues with lost baggage. Added expenses (hotel/food/sightseeing) of this extra day are the client’s responsibility.
- Day 1: Arrival day, gear checks
- Day 2: Train and acclimatize on the Mont Blanc range (ex. Aiguille du Midi)
- Day 3: Train and acclimatize on the Mont Blanc range (ex. Punta Hellbronner)
- Day 4: Begin Mont Blanc climb (Les Houches to Tête Rousse Hut)
- Day 5: Summit day (Tête Rousse Hut to Goûter Hut)
- Day 6: Return to Chamonix
- Day 7: Departure day
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect
Included in the Mont Blanc Expedition
- IFMGA Mountain Guide at a 2:1 guide-to-client ratio for your summit day and a 4:1 ratio for your training days.
- Summit attempt of Mont Blanc plus 2 training days in the Mont Blanc range
- All accommodations, including 4 nights at a hotel in the Chamonix Valley, as well as 2 nights at mountain huts
- All meals, including a team dinner on the first night in Chamonix. You will need to bring your own selection of snacks for fuel during the training days and summit climb. We recommend a variety of your favorite snacks, enough for 5 snack breaks at 300-400 calories per break.
- Transport within the itinerary, including cable cars and trains
- All group gear, including mountaineering tents, cooking gear, stoves, ropes, etc.
- Group first aid equipment
Excluded from the Mont Blanc Expedition
- Flight costs
- Airport transfers from the Geneva Airport (Switzerland)
- Snacks and drinks during the expedition. You will need to bring your own selection of snacks for fuel during the training days and summit climb. We recommend a variety of your favorite snacks, enough for 5 snack breaks at 300-400 calories per break.
- All personal climbing equipment is the responsibility of the client.
- In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, any rescue expenses or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs, including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping, are the responsibility of the client.
- Guide tips (customary, but optional)
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
Summits on Orizaba and Patience on Vinson
We had an incredible weekend filled with milestones across two continents!
On January 16th, our private Orizaba team successfully reached the summit of Pico de Orizaba, the highest peak in Mexico and the tallest volcano in North America. The team has safely descended and is already on their way home, feeling proud and accomplished. A huge congratulations to the entire team for their hard work!
Meanwhile, in Antarctica, our Vinson teams have been demonstrating the ultimate mountaineering skill: patience. The weather finally cooperated, allowing significant progress over the weekend. Here are the updates from Union Glacier:
- Our second Vinson team of the season returned to Punta Arenas, Chile, on Saturday after a successful expedition.
- Our third Vinson team of the season waited over a week for conditions to clear and were finally able to fly to Vinson Base Camp. They were greeted with a stunning sunny day and wasted no time, heading straight for Camp 1.
- Vinson Team Three is resting at Camp 1 and preparing for their summit push in the coming days. Stay tuned for updates as they aim to stand on the roof of Antarctica very soon!
Private Team Ascends North America's Tallest Volcano: Orizaba
Our private climb on Pico de Orizaba climb is off to a great start! The team is moving and acclimatizing well, and all climbers are looking strong! After a few acclimatization hikes, the team has settled in at Orizaba Base Camp, preparing for their ascent of North America’s tallest volcano!
For those of you eyeing Mexico’s tallest peak, here are two of our favorite things about this expedition:
- You can build technical mountaineering skills on the slopes of Mexico’s largest glacier, Jamapa, before ascending the Northern Route on Orizaba.
- Your trip is only complete when you can experience Mexico’s rich culture and life through friendly locals, archeological sites, delicious foods, and regional exploration.
A Picture Perfect Ascent on Aconcagua
Our team on Aconcagua is officially off the mountain! After the summit, they spent the night at high camp and then came down to Plaza de Mulas, spent the night, and hiked out. The team is resting easy in Mendoza before making their way home.
Here are a few more incredible images of the team from our guide, Macarena Zanotti. A massive congratulations to everyone on summiting the Roof of the Americas!
Team Two Summits Vinson Massif
Our Vinson team made moves last week, and the entire team reached the summit on Thursday, January 9th!
Congratulations to:
- Ayesha A.
- Jon Z.
- Elad B.
- Hemanshu P.
- Guide Nani S.
The team is back at Union Glacier resting before their flight to Punta Arena.
In the meantime, our last Vinson team of the season completed their gear checks and flight briefings in Punta Arenas and have safely landed on the ice at Union Glacier Camp in Antarctica. Once the weather clears, they will fly over to Vinson Base Camp and begin their climb.
Photos courtesy of Nani Stahringer
