Shop for Vinson Massif
Located in the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains about 1,200 kilometers from the South Pole, Vinson is the tallest mountain in Antarctica standing at 16,050 feet. In 1966, Barry Corbet, John Evans, Bill Long and Pete Schoening became the first to reach the summit as part of a 10-person American expedition. Mount Vinson is the coldest of all seven summits with average summer temperatures of about -20 degrees F.
The following gear list is approved by our partner Rainier Mountaineering Inc. for its guided climbs of Vinson Massif.
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Pack and Bag
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(2) Duffel Bag A 120+ liter bag made of tough material with rugged zippers.
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Backpack A 90+ liter pack is the recommended size for this climb. It is imperative that your backpack is large enough and tough enough to handle the load. A separate summit pack is not needed.
-
Sleeping Bag A bag rated to -20° to -40° F. Either goose down or synthetic, with ample room for movement. Most guides prefer down, because it is lightweight and compactable. A waterproof bag is preferred, but not mandatory. The temperature rating system for sleeping bags is arbitrary and is not a guarantee of warmth. Base your selection on how well you do in the cold. If you tend to sleep on the cold side, choose a bag rated on the lower end of the temperature range. Using two sleeping bags together is not recommended.
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Compression Stuff Sack for Sleeping Bag
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Sleeping Pad - Inflatable A full-length inflatable pad.
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Sleeping Pad - Closed Foam A full-length or 3/4 length closed cell foam pad.
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Technical Gear
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Ice Axe The length of your axe depends on your height. Use the following general mountaineering formula: up to 5'8", use a 65 cm. axe; 5'8" to 6'2", use a 70 cm. axe; and taller, use a 75 cm. axe. If you hold the axe so that it hangs comfortably at your side, the spike of the axe should still be a few inches above the ground.
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Climbing Harness A comfortable, adjustable climbing harness.
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(3) Non-Locking Carabiners
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(2) Locking Carabiners
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Helmet A lightweight climbing helmet.
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Crampons The 10 to 12 point adjustable crampons designed for general mountaineering are ideal. Rigid frame crampons designed for technical ice climbing are not recommended. Carry any repair kit/replacement parts and adjusting tools which are specific to your crampons.
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Avalanche Transceiver A digital transceiver is preferred; analog will work as well.
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Trekking Poles Lightweight and collapsible.
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Mechanical Ascender For traveling on fixed ropes.
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Accessory Cord 15' of 7 mm cordelette in one continuous length. Two 6' lengths of 6mm cordelette. Three 5' lengths of 6mm cordelette.
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Head
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Warm Hat Wool or synthetic. It should be warm and thin enough to fit underneath a climbing helmet.
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Neck Gaiter / Balaclava
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Ball Cap or Sun Hat A lightweight ball cap or sun hat.
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Face Mask
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(2) Glacier Glasses A pair of dark-lensed sunglasses with side shields or full wrap-type sunglasses.
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Goggles Amber or rose-tinted goggles for adverse weather. Additionally, contact lens wearers may find a clear-lensed goggle very useful on windy nights.
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Hands
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Heavy Weight Glove Wind/water resistant, insulated gloves for protection against wind, snow and cold. These also serve as emergency back-ups if you drop or lose a glove.
-
Heavy Weight Mitten Wind/water resistant, insulated mittens for protection against wind, snow and cold.
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Work Glove Medium weight insulated gloves for climbing and working around camp. These should be both durable and dexterous enough to allow you to perform activities like setting up or taking down tents while wearing them.
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Upper Body
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Light to Medium Weight Base Layer Long-sleeve wool or synthetic top will be used as your base layer. Zip-neck styles will allow for better temperature regulation.
-
Heavy Weight Base Layer
-
Light Insulating Layer A fleece or other insulation layer.
-
Soft Shell Layer A windproof, water-resistant and highly breathable layer.
-
Rain Shell Jacket A jacket made of rain/wind-proof material with an attached hood.
-
Down or Synthetic Insulated Jacket A medium weight down or synthetic jacket.
-
Heavy Down Insulation Down Suit option - A full DOWN SUIT is the preferred option. Also bring a medium-weight down or synthetic jacket and pants for warmer conditions lower on the mountain. Parka & Pant option - An 8,000-meter DOWN PARKA with attached hood in combination with 8,000-meter DOWN PANT is another option. In this case, you do not need the mid-weight down or synthetic jacket or mid-weight pants.
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Lower Body
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Underwear Non-cotton boxers or briefs.
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Light to Medium Weight Base Layer Light to medium weight wool or synthetic bottoms.
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Climbing Pant Synthetic climbing pants offer a wide range of versatility. You can wear them alone on hot days, or in combination with the base layer on cold days. The thickness (insulation quality) should be based on how well you do in the cold.
-
Rain Shell Pant A pant made of breathable rain and wind-proof material will be needed. Full-length side zippers are required for facilitating quick clothing adjustments over boots and crampons in cold, inclement weather.
-
Down or Synthetic Insulated pant
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Feet
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Mountaineerineering Boots A new breed of composite boot like the Olympus Mons or an expedition-style plastic double boot in combination with a full overboot is mandatory. Price is the best indicator. Though expensive, the function of footwear is of crucial importance. Select a brand's "top of the line" model and it should be sufficient for Mount Vinson. The boot needs to be roomy enough to allow for good circulation. Anticipate a sock combination when sizing them (single sock, liner and sock, or two heavy socks on each foot). Wear the boots as often as possible before the climb, to determine proper fit, comfort and performance. It is recommended that you keep your boots in your carry-on luggage for all of your commercial flights in case your luggage is mis-directed.
-
Overboots Expedition overboots add significant warmth, especially at high altitude. All-in-one mountaineering boots do not need the added insulation of overboots.
-
Booties Goose down or synthetic fill. Booties can be worn inside of the overboots while walking around camp, which allows an opportunity to dry out inner boots.
-
Gaiters A knee-length pair of gaiters, large enough to fit over your mountaineering boots. This will protect you from catching your crampons on loose clothing.
-
(4) Socks Either wool or synthetic. Some people find liner socks useful for reducing friction.
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Miscellaneous Items
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Lipscreen
-
Sunscreen
-
(2) Water Bottles One-quart water bottles are required. Wide mouth bottles are ideal since their opening is less likely to freeze.
-
Insulated Water Bottle Cover These help prevent liquids from freezing. It should completely cover the bottle.
-
Ear Plugs
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Toothpaste
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Baby Wipes
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Hand Sanitizer
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Toilet Paper
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Bowl
-
Insulated Mug
-
Spoon or Spork
-
Pocketknife
-
Pack and Bag
-
(2) Duffel Bag A 120+ liter bag made of tough material with rugged zippers.
-
Backpack A 90+ liter pack is the recommended size for this climb. It is imperative that your backpack is large enough and tough enough to handle the load. A separate summit pack is not needed.
-
Sleeping Bag A bag rated to -20° to -40° F. Either goose down or synthetic, with ample room for movement. Most guides prefer down, because it is lightweight and compactable. A waterproof bag is preferred, but not mandatory. The temperature rating system for sleeping bags is arbitrary and is not a guarantee of warmth. Base your selection on how well you do in the cold. If you tend to sleep on the cold side, choose a bag rated on the lower end of the temperature range. Using two sleeping bags together is not recommended.
-
Compression Stuff Sack for Sleeping Bag
-
Sleeping Pad - Insulated A full-length inflatable pad.
-
Sleeping Pad - Closed Foam A full-length or 3/4 length closed cell foam pad.
-
Technical Gear
-
Ice Axe The length of your axe depends on your height. Use the following general mountaineering formula: up to 5'8", use a 65 cm. axe; 5'8" to 6'2", use a 70 cm. axe; and taller, use a 75 cm. axe. If you hold the axe so that it hangs comfortably at your side, the spike of the axe should still be a few inches above the ground.
-
Climbing Harness A comfortable, adjustable climbing harness.
-
(3) Non-Locking Carabiners
-
(2) Locking Carabiner
-
Helmet A lightweight climbing helmet.
-
Crampons The 10 to 12 point adjustable crampons designed for general mountaineering are ideal. Rigid frame crampons designed for technical ice climbing are not recommended. Carry any repair kit/replacement parts and adjusting tools which are specific to your crampons.
-
Avalanche Transceiver A digital transceiver is preferred; analog will work as well.
-
Trekking Poles Lightweight and collapsible.
-
Mechanical Ascender For traveling on fixed ropes.
-
Accessory Cord 15' of 7 mm cordelette in one continuous length. Two 6' lengths of 6mm cordelette. Three 5' lengths of 6mm cordelette.
-
Head
-
Warm Hat Wool or synthetic. It should be warm and thin enough to fit underneath a climbing helmet.
-
Neck Gaiter / Balaclava
-
Face Mask
-
Ball Cap or Sun Hat A lightweight ball cap or sun hat.
-
(2) Glacier Glasses A pair of dark-lensed sunglasses with side shields or full wrap-type sunglasses.
-
Goggles Amber or rose-tinted goggles for adverse weather. Additionally, contact lens wearers may find a clear-lensed goggle very useful on windy nights.
-
Hands
-
Heavy Weight Glove Wind/water resistant, insulated gloves for protection against wind, snow and cold. These also serve as emergency back-ups if you drop or lose a glove.
-
Heavy Insulated Mitten Wind/water resistant, insulated mittens for protection against wind, snow and cold.
-
Work Glove Medium weight insulated gloves for climbing and working around camp. These should be both durable and dexterous enough to allow you to perform activities like setting up or taking down tents while wearing them.
-
Upper Body
-
Light to Medium Weight Base Layer Long-sleeve wool or synthetic top will be used as your base layer. Zip-neck styles will allow for better temperature regulation.
-
Heavy Weight Base Layer One long-sleeve heavy weight top.
-
Light Insulating Layer A fleece or other insulation layer.
-
Soft Shell Layer A windproof, water-resistant and highly breathable layer.
-
Rain Shell Jacket A jacket made of rain/wind-proof material with an attached hood.
-
Down or Synthetic Insulated Jacket A medium weight down or synthetic jacket.
-
Down Insulation Down Suit option - A full DOWN SUIT is the preferred option. Also bring a medium-weight down or synthetic jacket and pants for warmer conditions lower on the mountain. Parka & Pant option - An 8,000-meter DOWN PARKA with attached hood in combination with 8,000-meter DOWN PANT is another option. In this case, you do not need the mid-weight down or synthetic jacket or mid-weight pants.
-
Lower Body
-
Underwear Non-cotton underwear.
-
Light to Medium Weight Base Layer Light to medium weight wool or synthetic bottoms.
-
Climbing Pant Synthetic climbing pants offer a wide range of versatility. You can wear them alone on hot days, or in combination with the base layer on cold days. The thickness (insulation quality) should be based on how well you do in the cold.
-
Rain Shell Pant A pant made of breathable rain and wind-proof material will be needed. Full-length side zippers are required for facilitating quick clothing adjustments over boots and crampons in cold, inclement weather.
-
Down or Synthetic Insulating Pants
-
Feet
-
Mountaineering Boots A new breed of composite boot like the Olympus Mons or an expedition-style plastic double boot in combination with a full overboot is mandatory. Price is the best indicator. Though expensive, the function of footwear is of crucial importance. Select a brand's "top of the line" model and it should be sufficient for Mount Vinson. The boot needs to be roomy enough to allow for good circulation. Anticipate a sock combination when sizing them (single sock, liner and sock, or two heavy socks on each foot). Wear the boots as often as possible before the climb, to determine proper fit, comfort and performance. It is recommended that you keep your boots in your carry-on luggage for all of your commercial flights in case your luggage is mis-directed.
-
Overboots Expedition overboots add significant warmth, especially at high altitude. All-in-one mountaineering boots do not need the added insulation of overboots.
-
Booties Goose down or synthetic fill. Booties can be worn inside of the overboots while walking around camp, which allows an opportunity to dry out inner boots.
-
Gaiters A knee-length pair of gaiters, large enough to fit over your mountaineering boots. This will protect you from catching your crampons on loose clothing.
-
(4) Socks Either wool or synthetic. Some people find liner socks useful for reducing friction.
-
Miscellaneous Items
-
Lipscreen
-
Sunscreen
-
(2) Water Bottles One-quart water bottles are required. Wide mouth bottles are ideal since their opening is less likely to freeze.
-
Insulated Water Bottle Covers These help prevent liquids from freezing. It should completely cover the bottle.
-
Ear Plugs
-
Toothpaste
-
Baby Wipes
-
Hand Sanitizer
-
Toilet Paper
-
Bowl
-
Insulated Mug
-
Spoon or Spork
-
Pocketknife
Whittaker Mountaineering
Box W, 30027 SR 706E
Ashford WA 98304
PHONE 1.800.238.5756 FAX: 360.569.2982
STORE HOURS: Winter: 8-6, daily | Summer: 7-8, daily
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