January twenty first, 2025
The staff climbing to Excessive Camp, with Mt. Shinn within the background. (Benny Lieber)
Mt. Vinson is an enigmatic mountain in maybe essentially the most far-off nook of the globe {that a} mountaineer can dream of. It’s attract has pushed many a IMG staff to journey far-and-wide to climb its inspiring, distant slopes, hoping to return with unimaginable tales, jaw-dropping pictures, and some new summiteers. This yr, Vinson delivered because it all the time has for IMG, ever since we began working expeditions to the “Huge Ice” in 1988.
Taking advantage of the climate delays at UG, fats biking on the 10k groomed loop. (Max Bond)
The beginning of the expedition was a rocky one, with climate delays holding us again in Punta Arenas, after which once more in Union Glacier as we awaited a Twin-Otter flight to Vinson Base Camp.
Fog lifting and sky clearing.
Lastly seeing the mountain and transferring as much as Low Camp. (Max Bond)
Workforce transferring as much as Excessive Camp.
Approaching the summit.
This was an ideal lesson in endurance for our whole staff, and the lesson paid off. The second-half of the expedition couldn’t have gone extra easily; our staff appeared to maneuver up the mountain with ease, gifted with glorious climate and a robust group of climbers. With 100% to the summit, we have been again in VBC solely 6 days after leaving.
The staff on high of Mt Vinson 16,050 ft (4,892 meters). (Max Bond)
Summit Success on Mt. Vinson! Sturdy staff, robust vitality, robust management. All come collectively for a stellar Summit Day!
January eighth, 2025 Summit success on high of Antarctica! (Max Bond)
The staff raises a glass to the profitable expedition (Max Bond)I wish to thank and congratulate the superior staff we had on Vinson this yr. Vinson Massif solely sees ~100-200 makes an attempt per yr, with solely ~1,200 summits because it was first climbed in 1966. Meaning our group is becoming a member of an elite membership of worldwide climbers. Congratulations, everybody, on the wonderful achievement!
I additionally wish to thank our excellent staff again within the states: Becky, for the expedition wouldn’t even go away IMG HQ with out you; Porter McMichael and Justin Merle for contributing their invaluable information and laborious work organising caches alongside the mountain in years previous; and Eric Simonson for his glorious management and mentorship. We couldn’t do it with out the entire staff on board!!
