Mount Vinson 2008

Abstract

Itinerary

You must purchase return tickets that allow for changes as a result of bad weather. When flying in to Punta Arenas be sure to bring your climbing boots with you in your hand baggage, in case of lost or delayed bags, we can replace most other equipment at Punta.

Trip description

Mount Vinson is the highest point in the Sentinal Range, in the Ellsworth Mountains, in the Antarctic Peninsular and in Antarctica. At  78 degrees south, it is just 750 miles from the South Pole. Perhaps the most  unsettling thing about this latitude is the total absence of night, for 24 hours a day the sun seems to hover where it would be mid morning in temperate latitudes. The absence of Circadian clues also obscures the innate sense of  compass directions. For further information there is a (not very good) article at  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinson_Massif>.

The mountain provides a technically moderate climb (PD), the main object to success being the cold and fitness. Although the summit is less than 4900m high, the barometric pressure there is equivalent to a height of 5400m at temperate latitudes.  There will be a certain amount of acclimatising to do. Expect a fairly long summit day (typically 10 to 12 hours round trip).  For a suitable training regime please contact us directly.

We stay in tents throughout the trip. Warm clothing and sleeping bags and a familiarity with high altitude and/or polar camping will be essential.

Expedition price

The expedition price includes the following;
Flights from Punta Arenas to Patriot Hills and back
Flights from Patriot Hills to Vinson base and back.
Tents, food, fuel while in Antarctica
UIAGM qualified trip leader
Group climbing gear and first aid kit.
UIAGM trip leader

Not included
International flights to Punta Arenas
taxi from airport to hotel
Holiday Insurance (must include cancellation)
Excess baggage on Patriot Hills flight (allowance 40kg)
Medivac Insurance
personal climbing kit and clothing;
Gratuities for hotel staff
telephone, beverages and laundry

Payment, Cancellation and Refund
To register for this expedition a deposit of USD 5000 before 22 March 2008
The balance should reach us by 1 September 2008. There will be no refund for cancellations after this date. Please insure your expedition against cancellation for medical and/or personal reasons.

Insurance

For this trip you must have medical evacuation and trip cancellation insurance. If you purchase them separately we recommend IHI for medical emergencies (http://www.ihi.com/).

We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation and travel insurance. Travel insurance must provide coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, loss of baggage and travel documents, baggage delay,

Visas

Please ensure you meet any visa requirements for entering Chile.  There are currently no visa requirements for UK nationals.

Essential kit list

Kit must be light and functional. Heavy, unsuitable and excess kit will only hinder your ascent of the mountain:

Travel
passport + photocopy + spare passport photographs
credit cards + cash
copy of insurance certificate

Bivouac
sleeping bag (good to -30C)
sleeping bag liner
thick sleeping mat

Sun protection
sun hat (cricket style is good)
glacier glasses or dark goggles
glacier cream and lip salve

Clothing
balaclava (or ski hat and face mask)
weather proof outer-shell jacket
thin gloves
ski gloves
warm mitts
down suit,  jacket and pants
pile or fleece jacket
capelene or similar long sleeve shirt
weather proof outer-shell pants or sallopettes
pile or fleece pants
capelene or similar long johns
thin and thick socks
warm plastic boots with insulated overboots


Hardwear
light water bottle (local plastic  bottle is good)
large (80 litre) rucksack
Weather proof kit bags for the sleds
ice axe
crampons
harness
2 locking krabs
2 non-locking krabs
1 long sling (120cm)
ski sticks
prussik cord (2 x 6mm dia. 2m long)
light snow shoes

First Aid
personal medical supplies
blister kit
spare glasses/lenses (for the myopic or hyperopic)

Optional Extras;
gps
camera

8. TEAM SIZE / GUIDE
The team will be led by a UIAGM  Victor Saunders. (Climbed Vinson in 2005). The team size will be limited  to a maximum ratio of 1 guide to 5 clients. Larger groups will necessitate an assistant guide.

9. FOOD
We will purchase supplies in Punta Arenas and share the cooking but bear in mind that our essential philosophy on mountains is that “Food is fuel”. Please let us know well in advance of any special dietary requirements.  

10. MEDICAL EXAMINATION
It  is imperative that expedition members are fit and strong and in good
health.  Please ensure that you have seen your doctor and provide us with a medical certificate that you are fit for the expedition. We must be informed of any medical conditions that may affect you during the course of the expedition. We will treat the information with full confidentiality.

11.  SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS and EXPEDITION FIRST AID
On this expedition we will be carrying a small satellite phone and/or two way radios. We will also provide a basic expedition first aid kit. You should bring your own personal first aid kit.