Your ultimate guide to all things travel related

Interesting Facts About Mount Vinson In Antarctica

The Things You Should Know About Mount Vinson In Antarctica

Located in the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains, Mount Vinson is the highest mountain in Antarctica. It is one of the Seven Summits and is also the most remote, most expensive, and coldest of the Seven Summits to climb. So, whether you are planning a summit or are just curious to know more, here are some of the most interesting facts about Mount Vinson in Antarctica.

If you are planning a trip to Antarctica, Here are 7 interesting facts about Mount Vinson In Antarctica

Mount Vinson is the highest mountain in Antarctica

1. Mount Vinson is the highest mountain in Antarctica

Rising 4,892 meters (16,050 feet) above sea level, Mount Vinson is the highest mountain in Antarctica.



Mount Vinson is part of the Vinson Massif

2. Mount Vinson is part of the Vinson Massif

Mount Vinson is part of the Vinson Massif which is in the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains – the highest mountain range in Antarctica. Vinson Massif and Mount Vinson are near the Ronne Ice Shelf close to the base of the Antarctic Peninsula. Vinson Massif is located about 1,200 kilometres (750 miles) from the South Pole. The South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole, Terrestrial South Pole or 90th Parallel South, is the southernmost point on Earth.



US Navy aircraft discovered Mount Vinson

3. US Navy aircraft discovered Mount Vinson

A US Navy aircraft from Byrd Station first spotted the mountain in January 1958. It takes its name from Carl Vinson, who was a United States Representative from Georgia who played a large part in US Government support of Antarctic exploration in the period 1935-61.



Mount Vinson is shrinking

By Vvescovo – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0


4. Mount Vinson is shrinking

Researchers took the first measurement of Mount Vinson in 1959 at the elevation of 5,140 m (16,864 feet). Then, in 2001, an expedition first summited via the Eastern route, and also took GPS measurements of the height of the peak. Following that, in 2004, the Omega Foundation team measured its height by a GPS survey. That GPS reading gave the elevation of the highest point in Antarctica as 4,900 metres (16,077 feet). The mountain’s current height is recorded as 4,892 metres (16,050 feet).



Climbers first scaled Mount Vinson in the 1960s

By Moving Mountains Trust – Flickr: Gavin_Antarctica_Vinson_2000, CC BY 2.0


5. Climbers first scaled Mount Vinson in the 1960s

Nicholas Bayard Clinch III, an American mountain climber, led the first team to climb the mountain. They first climbed the mountain in 1966. In 1967, National Geographic awarded Clinch its La Gorce Medal for his ascent of Mount Vinson. Since 2006, Clinch Peak, located 2.6 km (1.6 miles) southeast of Mount Vinson, is named after Clinch. As of February 2010, 1,400 climbers have attempted to reach the top of Mount Vinson. Multiple guide companies offer guided expeditions to Mount Vinson.



Mount Vinson is one of the seven summits

6. Mount Vinson is one of the seven summits

As Mount Vinson is the tallest mountain in Antarctica, this makes it one of the seven summits – the highest peaks of the seven continents. It is also the eighth-most “topographically prominent” peak on Earth, after Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Mount Kilimanjaro, Pico Cristóbal Colón, Mount Logan, and Pico de Orizaba.



Mount Vinson is the most remote of the seven summits

By Vvescovo – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0


7. Mount Vinson is the most remote of the seven summits

Mount Vinson is a peak of superlatives with some very interesting facts when it comes to being one of the seven summits. It is the mountain that was discovered last, named last, and of the Seven Summits, the last one climbed. Mount Vinson is also the most remote, most expensive, and coldest of the Seven Summits to climb.



Other popular articles

Enter your email address for the latest discount codes and special offers across car hire, holiday accomodation and much more!

Get the latest travel news and offers
Thanks for signing up