Mt. Vinson Expedition wrap up

I had 2 great climbs of Mt Vinson over the last month. Both Alpine Ascents teams had 100% success, resulting in 26 climber summits for our season. Both summit days were amazingly calm, cloudless days, where we enjoyed over an hour hanging out on the highest point in Antarctica! From fundraising for cancer research to climbing with an American veteran with a prosthetic leg, this was truly a memorable and meaningful season for me. All climbers are making their way home and looking forward to future endeavors. Personally, that means Everest & Lhotse in a few months!! Stay tuned!!

-Garrett Madison

Expedition Dispatch - 7:30:00 PM UTC

Standing on the summit of mt. vinson, highest peak in antarctica, with the whole team! perfect weather, warm & not much wind.

Elevation = 17,126 ft. Location = (-78.525445, -85.617722)

Expedition Dispatch - 12:25:00 PM UTC

Leaving high camp on mt. vinson for our summit attempt!

Elevation = 13,412 ft. Location = (-78.49467, -85.73385)

Expedition Dispatch - 9:23:00 PM UTC

We are now in low camp on mt. vinson, resting today. planning to carry a load to high camp tomorrow.

Elevation = 9,964 ft. Location = (-78.50033, -85.81168)

Round 2!

Garrett has started Vinson round two in Antarctica.  The new team of climbers flew from Union Glacier Camp this morning to Mt. Vinson base camp (7,020 ft.).  Then they started today's hike to Low Camp (9,100 ft.). Hopefully the great weather that blessed the first climb will continue!!

Expedition Dispatch - 4:58:00 PM UTC

Back at vinson base camp, getting ready for another climb!

Elevation = 7,969 ft. Location = (-78.53410, -86.00630)

Expedition Dispatch - 6:11:00 PM UTC

Relaxing at union glacier camp, waiting for next team of climbers to arrive.

Elevation = 3,219 ft. Location = (-79.76019, -82.85563)

Expedition Dispatch - 10:17:00 PM UTC

Great climb of vinson, now waiting in base camp to fly back to union glacier camp...

Elevation = 7,851 ft. Location = (-78.53365, -86.00447)

Team on the Summit!

Reported just 20 minutes ago, the whole team is on the summit of Mount Vinson - Antarctica's highest mountain!

Sunning accomplishment!

You might note as we did, there are some slight inaccuracies in either the Google Earth terrain and imaging or in the GPS data reported from the tracking device that Garrett is carrying.  The reported elevation is also inaccurate (reporting 17,287 ft. on the summit which is actually 16,050 ft.)

Expedition Dispatch - 7:30:00 PM UTC

Whole team is standing on the summit of mt. vinson! no wind & clear views all around!

Elevation = 17,287 ft. Location = (-78.52544, -85.61766)

Expedition Dispatch - 1:57:00 PM UTC

Beautiful summit day on mt. vinson! climbing now from high camp to the top!

Elevation = 14,518 ft. Location = (-78.50189, -85.68053)

Expedition Dispatch - 2:32:00 AM UTC

Climbed to high camp today on mt. vinson, clear views of the surrounding peaks! we will sleep here tonight and rest tomorrow.

Elevation = 13,438 ft. Location = (-78.49411, -85.73844)

Expedition Dispatch - 11:10:00 PM UTC

Nice weather on mt. vinson, resting at low camp today.

Elevation = 10,013 ft. Location = (-78.50034, -85.81125)

Expedition Dispatch - 4:09:00 AM UTC

Great flight to antarctica, union glacier camp. now at mt. vinson base camp!

Elevation = 7,765 ft. Location = (-78.53377, -86.00422)

Heading to Punta Arenas!

I'm on my way to Mt. Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica!

I just finished a successful Aconcagua climb a few days ago and now am on my way from Mendoza, Argentina to Punta Arenas, Chile.  I will meet up with fellow Alpine Ascents guide Matt Hegeman and we will do a few days of expedition prep work before meeting our group in Punta Arenas then flying to Antarctica!

The summit ridge of Mt. Vinson is fairly steep (above) and the views are amazing!

The Twin Otter aircraft that will fly us from Union Glacier Camp
to Vinson Base Camp.  You can see Mt. Vinson behind.

The Illushin 76 jet on the ice in UG Camp. This large cargo jet will take us from
Punta Arenas, Chile, to Union Glacier Camp, Antarctica.