Mt Vinson is a mountain in Antarctica. It is located within the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains, about 16 nautical miles (30 km) north-northwest of the summit of Mount Tyree. An American party from Ellsworth Station led by Dr. Lincoln Ellsworth discovered the mountain on January 13, 1957.
Whether you want to learn more or plan to visit it, there are a lot of details you would like to know. It is vital to understand everything before you tour it. You will know the place better and how to get there.
Planning about touring and climbing the mountain is not easy. You need to make sure you are well prepared for the adventure. Here are seven facts about Mount Vinson you need to know.
1. It is the Highest Peak in Antarctica
Mt. Vinson is the highest peak in Antarctica. It has a summit elevation of about 16,050 ft (4892 m). The peak in the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains makes it part of Antarctica’s interior. You will not find other mountains as high as Mt Vinson in Antarctica. That is what makes it a popular destination for climbers. However, it is not easy to get to the mountain.
People have a lot of challenges while attempting the Mt. Vinson climb since the weather conditions are so cold and harsh. It is not easy to climb it. You will need to get prepared for the long and challenging climb.
There are a lot of preparations you need to make before attempting Mt Vinson, such as making sure you have the right equipment and training your body to adapt to the cold weather. Also, understand everything about climbing a mountain.
2. It is the Sixth Summit
Compared with the other highest points of each continent, Mt. Vinson is the sixth summit. The first summit conquest in Antarctica was on December 26, 1991, by a Japanese expedition team. The peak, located within the Sentinel Range of Ellsworth Mountains, was named after Richard B. Vinson, a US representative from Georgia who helped in the designation of Antarctica as a US territory, who helped fund scientific research there.
The peak stands as high as 16,050 feet (4982 meters) above sea level, popular among climbers. Vinson is only one step ahead of Carstensz Pyramid, the highest mountain in Australasia.
3. Vinson is a Tough Mountain to Climb
If you are planning on climbing the mountain, you better prepare well. Many people have tried and failed. The weather conditions are harsh, and the climb is very tough. It can be a dangerous mountain to climb if you are not well prepared.
The first successful ascent to the summit was in 1966, by an American expedition. The climbers had to battle extreme cold weather and high winds during their attempt. It can be very challenging and dangerous to climb.
The team leader of this expedition, William Long, wrote a book about his experience in the mountain titled “The Cruelest Mountain.” It talks about the harsh conditions they faced during their attempt to climb Vinson and how it was a life challenge.
Previously, other teams have had to retreat from the mountain due to harsh weather conditions. Examples of climbers who could not complete their attempts were the British expeditions in 1958 and 1960.
4. The Last Named Among the Seven Summits
While the mountain is as old as the earth, it only became known in the early 1900s, when first spotted by a Norwegian explorer. At the time, it was just called the “high mountain.”
It was not until 1991 that it had an official name, Mt Vinson, after Richard B. Vinson, a US representative from Georgia. Before the naming, many climbers called the mountain “the last great challenge.” The name suggests that it was the last summit conquered on each of the seven continents.
5. The Mountain is Named After a Politician
The person who represented the US in marking their territory in Antarctica was Richard B. Vinson. He also supported scientific research in the region through funding. The politician died in 1975 and was honored by naming the highest point in Antarctica after him.
6. It Has the Highest Success Rate for Climbers to Conquer
When looking at the climbing attempts of the seven summits, Mt. Vinson has one of the highest success rates. The latest data shows that of the 1200 climbers who have attempted to summit, there has been over a 97% success rate. It cannot be compared with other summits like Everest, which has a 31% success rate.
7. Located 600 Miles from the South Pole
The mountain’s proximity to the South Pole makes it the coldest place to climb. However, it is one of the more accessible summits to climb on Antarctica. You cannot expect to experience the summer here.
Summary
Mt. Vinson is the sixth summit of the seven summits, located in Antarctica. The mountain has a high success rate for climbers to complete, and it is located about 600 miles from the South Pole. If you plan to climb the Vinson, prepare for extreme weather conditions and a challenging climb.
