Mount Vinson 12-day Mountaineering expedition in Antarctica
Join Todd, an IFMGA-certified mountain guide, in Antarctica for this ascent of the highest peak of the continent - Mt. Vinson! Discover the untouched wilderness of the extreme southern latitudes during this 12-day mountaineering expedition!
Group
12 Days
Jan, Nov, Dec
High
Advanced
Highlights
- Discover Antarctica, a unique place on Earth—a vast, frozen continent defined by silence, scale, and solitude.
- Complete a Seven Summit by ascending the highest mountain of Antarctica
- Join the world's most experienced Antartica guide: 25 years and with more summits of Mt. Vinson than any other active guide
Description
Discover the vast wilderness of Antarctica as you journey to the highest point in the continent during this privately guided mountaineering expedition to the summit of Mt. Vinson!
An expedition to Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Situated at the extreme southern latitudes of the planet, just the logistics of stepping foot on the continent make for an unforgettable adventure. Once you arrive, you will discover one of the most awe-inspiring wilderness areas on the planet, a region so vast and remote that it has hardly been touched by humans. It is a mysterious place that has sparked the imagination of explorers and adventurers for centuries.
Mt. Vinson towers to an altitude of 16,064 ft, making it the tallest peak on the continent of Antarctica and one of the world's iconic Seven Summits. Located in the Sentinal Range of the Ellsworth Mountains, it is not a technically difficult climb, but extreme conditions, dry air, and unforgiving weather make it a worthy challenge.
We will undertake the climb in November/December, the late spring and early summer months of the southern hemisphere. During our climb, we can expect 22 hours of sunlight and temperature that range from 20 degrees Fahrenheit all the way to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. When the wind is mild and the sun is out, the climate can be comfortable, but when the weather changes the conditions become extremely harsh.
This year I have 2 scheduled expeditions, one Traditional Climbing Mt. Vinson Expedition, and one Skiing Mt. Vinson Expedition. This is a unique opportunity to ski Mt. Vinson, as typically no one else skis on this trip. I've successfully skied this route with groups for the past three years.
Logistics are the biggest challenge to any expedition in Antarctica, and we work with a trusted partner to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. While an ideal trip would last 12 days total, you should build in additional days in case we have to delay our summit push due to unpredictable weather conditions. On average, the climb takes 2 weeks. A day-by-day outline is included below. We will begin and end in Punta Arenas, a small town in Chilean Patagonia.
I have been guiding in Antarctica for 25 years and have more summits of Mt. Vinson than any other active guide (29), not to mention a bunch of other stuff down there that few others can compare to: 4 summits of Mt. Shinn (Antarctica's third-highest mountain), Tyree (2nd highst), and many First Ascents and Descents on Skis. I am a large part of all the history and development of Antarctica commercial climbing and skiing, and have institutional knowledge of the people and proceedures, having worked down there every season but 3 since 2002.
Book now to undertake the ultimate mountaineering adventure – climb to the summit of the tallest mountain in Antarctica!
Check out my other exciting adventure: Denali (Mt McKinley), 21-day Expedition in Alaska, 1+ day Backcountry skiing in the Wasatch Mountains, Utah, or 1+ day Multi-pich rock climbing in Red Rock, Nevada!
Price includes
- Guiding fee
Price details
- Price Includes:
- Flights from Punta Arenas, Chile to Union Glacier, Antarctica and Return
- Flights from Union Glacier, Antarctica to Vinson Base Camp, Antarctica
- IFMGA Mountain Guide with decades of experience in Antarctica
- All food and accommodations while in Antarctica
- All group gear
- Hotel for 2 nights in Punta before the flight and on the night of return
- Does not include:
- Round trip flight from Home to Punta Arenas, Chile
- Extra nights in Punta Arenas hotels
- Food in Punta Arenas
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Flight to Antarctica
We will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the airport where we will board the plane for Antarctica. The flight takes approximately 4 hours and we will arrive in Union Glacier, which is a work camp operated by ALE the Logistics company. We most likely will spend the night in Union Glacier.
Day 2: Base Camp
We will fly via Twin Otter to Vinson Base Camp (2100m/6900ft). We will organize the gear and prepare for our climb. We usually spending the night in Base Camp.
Day 3: Camp 1
The move from base camp to camp 1 will take between 4-6 hours and is 9km/5.5mi. We pull sleds up a gradually rising glacier, with some crevassing. There we will set up the camp.
Day 4: Carry to the top of the fixed lines
We will carry loads of food and fuel to the top of the fixed lines. We will use mechanical ascenders to help us up the 1000m/3200ft slope which has sections of rock and blue ice up to 45 degrees. We will cache the gear at the top of the fixed lines and return to low camp.
Day 5: High Camp
After reascending the fixed rope, we will pick up our cached gear and carry the full load an additional 300 vertical feet to High Camp at approx. 3700m/12,500ft and set up the camp.
Day 6: Rest Day
Often after the big move, we have a rest day, which is nice to prepare for our summit day.
Day 7: Summit day
This day takes between 8-12 hours and we ascend 1120m/3670ft up a gradually rising valley with the upper slopes approaching 40 degrees before gaining a sometimes narrow ridge leading to the summit (4892m/16160ft).
Day 8: Base Camp
We descend to Base Camp.
Day 9 to 11: Weather Contingency Days
Weather Contingency days
Day 12: Return
We fly to Union Glacier vie Twin Otter and then back to Punta Arenas. (One night of hotel double occupancy is included). Then we fly home.
Details
More info
2025 Scheduled Expeditions:
- November 26 - December 7, 2025 -> Traditional Climbing Mt. Vinson Expedition. This is a standard climbing expedition to Mt. Vinson.
- December 7-18, 2025 -> Skiing Mt. Vinson Expedition. This is a unique opportunity to ski Mt. Vinson, as typically no one else skis on this trip. I've successfully skied this route with groups for the past three years.
FAQs
When should I arrive to Punta Arenas? What flights should I book for before and after the trip?
Participants must arrive in Punta Arenas Chile 3 days prior to Departure date. So for example: for the Dec. 07 trip, participants must arrive by the afternoon of the 4th. Flights home can be booked for the day following the last day of the trip. So again, for the Dec 07-18 trip, Participants can book flights for the 19th. NOTE: The fly-out date is highly susceptible to changing due to weather. Please book Changeable tickets.
What is the Guide's experience guiding in Mount Vinson and Antartica?
Todd has been guiding in Antarctica for 25 years and has more summits of Mt. Vinson than any other active guide (29), not to mention a bunch of other stuff down there that few others can compare to: 4 summits of Mt. Shinn (Antarctica's third-highest mountain), Tyree (2nd highst) , and Many First Ascents and Descents on Skis. He also pioneered many of the trade routes commonly done around Union Glacier.
Tod is a large part of all the history and development of Antarctica commercial climbing and skiing, and has institutional knowledge of the people and proceedures, having worked down there every season but 3 since 2002.
What is the technical difficulty of Mount Vinson ascent? Which are the main challenges?
The climb itself is technically moderate, with glaciated terrain and sustained slopes, but the isolation, extreme cold, and logistical complexity elevate it to a truly expeditionary challenge.
Do you offer skiing expeditions to Mount Vinson? What is the experience required to join Mount Vinson Ski Expedition?
Yes. I've successfully skied this route with groups for the past three years. This trip is scheduled for December 7-18, 2025.
This is a unique opportunity to ski Mt. Vinson, as typically no one else skis on this trip.
Participants for this trip must be experienced skiers or snowboarders, as the terrain requires specific skills.
About the guide
-Todd
4.0
(2)
Mountain Guide
A Utah native, Todd grew up with a strong passion for skiing and playing in the mountains. Looking to incorporate this passion into a profession Todd attended the University of Utah and earned a bachelors degree from the Parks and Recreation department. He worked in the outdoors as a wilderness instructor teaching survival skills in the Utah desert for many years. In 2000 he began mountain guiding, and has been sharing his passion of the mountains with others ever since.
Todd’s guiding has taken him to many corners of the globe including; Alaska, Asia, Antarctica, Europe, South America and the Western U.S. He is a fully certified IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide. Other training and certifications include Avalanche level III and Wilderness First Responder.
Climbing with Todd one immediately feels a sense of safety and trust. Todd is a strong and highly competent leader with years of experience leading large expeditions and one on one guiding. He is a skillful teacher and enjoys helping folks accomplish their climbing aspirations.
Some of his notable ascents include; Denali’s Cassin Ridge, a first ascent of the 5000’ west face of Mt. Vinson in Antarctica and the Walker spur on the Grand Jorasses in the Alps.
When he is not traveling Todd enjoys spending time at home in Salt Lake City, Utah climbing and skiing the Wasatch with his wife, climbing partner and fellow guide.
Languages
Italian | English
Certificates
AMGA
What people are saying about -Todd
I have booked the backcountry ski for 3 days and did only 1/2 - 1 day. Hiking uphill is much too exhausting for me, although I am in reasonable condition. For sure this must be much better communicated towards customers, that they need in ultimate condition. So spending 1200 USDollars and having only '1 day done' is not a great experience. Can I get some of the money back?
Gonzalo
Todd is a very experienced guide who knows the area like the palm of his hand. He tailored a plan that adapted perfectly to the conditions and our group, and he got us to some great powder even after 1 week since the last snowfall! We had a great time and I will for sure call Todd again next year when I return to Utah!
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