Entries from Vinson Massif
Friday, December 5, 2025 - 6:16 pm PT
It was another cloudy, cool day at Vinson Basecamp… right up until about six o’clock in the evening when the clouds melted away. We ate a last mountain dinner and then caught a twin otter to Union Glacier.
Now we’re in the big camp, with scientists, climbers, tourists and adventurers of every stripe. It is a bit like a school reunion, bumping into friends and teammates from around the world and from decades of expeditions.
Tim and I proceeded to the dining tent for a nightcap before heading to our comfy “clam” tent.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
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Vinson Massif Expedition, November 22, 2025
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
Thursday, December 4, 2025 - 6:39 pm PT
Today was a no fly day at Vinson Basecamp… too much cloud. But Tim and I were quite happy to relax with the ALE staff in the comfortable dining tent. It is still something of a novelty to have WiFi way out this way and we enjoyed catching up and eating and reading. For being a “weather day” it really wasn’t all that unpleasant. Just a little cooler without direct sunshine. Now, close to midnight, it is snowing lightly.
Best
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
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Vinson Massif Expedition, November 22, 2025
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 - 4:43 pm PT
We got a good rest at high camp. There was some concern that winds would hit overnight but the morning was calm, sunny and easy. Just what we’ve come to expect. We ate a good breakfast, knocked down our tents and began climbing downhill. As expected, it was a pretty good workout getting down the fixed ropes, but then it was a cruise (a multi hour, pack carrying, sled hauling cruise) to reach Basecamp. We were greeted with champagne and handshakes. Just after Tim and I spread out our sleeping bags in our basecamp tent, the possibility arose that we’d fly to Union Glacier. Clouds were hovering around base but broke up enough for one airplane to get in. But that was it and the second flight that would have taken us was scrubbed for the evening. Tim and I were actually relieved to relax in Vinson Basecamp and to share a victory dinner with Jon Gupta.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
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Vinson Massif Expedition, November 22, 2025
Good news!
RMI Guide Dave Hahn and climber Tim along with their ALE Guide Jon Gupta reached the summit of Mt. Vinson yesterday, December 2nd.
Congratulations team!
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Vinson Massif Expedition, November 22, 2025
Amazing! Congratulations!
Posted by: Holly Eckola on 12/4/2025 at 4:02 pm
Tim, Dave and team, congratulations!
Tim, as Eric said 6 out of the 7 peaks, all 7 continents is well done!
Can’t wait to hear about it in person!
Posted by: Chris Lucie on 12/4/2025 at 4:16 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
Thursday, November 27, 2025 - 4:23 pm PT
We had a fine sleep in basecamp, far away from the sounds of the city. A leisurely breakfast fortified us for yet another round of refining and sorting gear and provisions for our climb. It was a sunny and calm day, perfect for an afternoon rope-up and rehearsal of the initial climbing route. Jon, Tim and I went an hour up the glacier. It was nice to get a little exercise and to re-familiarize ourselves with roped travel. We had an easy stroll back down just in time for dinner in the comfortable ALE dining tent.
As things stand now we’ll set off for “low camp” tomorrow.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
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Vinson Massif Expedition, November 22, 2025
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 - 6:14 pm PT
We’re counting ourselves as being extremely fortunate. Not only did we fly from South America to Antarctica on the morning we were scheduled to…. We then flew from Union Glacier right out to Vinson Basecamp on this same lucky day. It doesn’t always work this way, but it is pretty sweet to avoid glitches and weather delays.
It was a somewhat typical adventure travel day in that there was a lot of hurry up and wait. But it wasn’t unpleasant waiting. It was about 12:30 PM before we clunked up the airplane stairs in our big mountaineering boots to leave Punta. There were about 80 of us in the entire plane, so Tim and I both helped ourselves to window seats. This paid off about three and a half hours into the flight when we were treated to unobstructed views of Vinson and the Ellsworth Mountains.
The landing of a big jet on a blue ice runway was thrilling, although it was also flawless. We were certainly dressed for extreme cold when we got out, but to be honest, the weather at Union Glacier wasn’t all that unpleasant. A little cool but not face freezing cool.
We had just a short tour of Union Glacier Camp before climbing aboard the ski equipped Twin Otter for the 45 minute flight to Vinson. It was another perfect landing at 7,000' on the Branscomb Glacier and then we were hugging old friends and meeting new ones. Although we are the first climbing teams of the season, the ALE guides have already been in for some time getting things set up. Tim and I met Jon Gupta, who we’ll be working with. Jon was just on Vinson summit two days ago and reported excellent conditions.
We won’t climb the mountain tomorrow. It will be the perfect day to acclimatize and get gear sorted for the climb.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
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Vinson Massif Expedition, November 22, 2025
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Shortly after breakfast, Tim and I turned our duffle bags over for weigh in. We received our boarding passes for the flight to Antarctica. We’re set!
It seemed like the perfect time to stretch our legs and so we set off to the south along the shoreline for several miles. Our goal was the picturesque old hulk of the ship “Lord Lonsdale” We were back at the hotel by midday which was perfect timing as the afternoon and evening brought steady rain. We got in a bit more exercise anyway, walking to dinner to join some of the folks who will be alongside us on Vinson.
It was a fine gathering with plenty of excitement for what tomorrow may bring. The flight is on for tomorrow morning but of course we are anxious to get confirmation of that good and early tomorrow.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
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Vinson Massif Expedition, November 22, 2025
Monday, November 24, 2025 - 4:07 pm PT
Tim and I spent an easy day getting packed and fine tuning gear for Antarctica. This is something of an “extra” day, but it sure wouldn’t have been if either of us had missed a flight or lost a bag on the way to Punta Arenas. We walked the downtown streets, checking out the climbing stores. We walked in the wind along the shores of Magellan’s Straight. Ultimately we walked over to our outfitter’s office for a briefing on the flight and operations in Antarctica. It was good to connect with a few old friends while enjoying a cocktail and a PowerPoint. Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions -ALE has quite the program down here and we’re excited to see the bases deep within the Antarctic interior. Tomorrow is one more “slack” day of fiddling with gear and taking it easy.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
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Vinson Massif Expedition, November 22, 2025
Sunday, November 23, 2025 - 5:48 pm PT
Tim and I arrived in Punta Arenas, Chile and by some miracle -our duffel bags did too. These were the first big and essential steps on our path to the highest point in Antarctica. We went through a gear check and discussed plans for flying onto the Ice. But after so much travel, it was important to simply lay the groundwork today. We kept it light, strolled to the plaza and along the shore of Magellan’s Straight and then had an easy dinner in the hotel. We’ll get a bit more focused on climbing Vinson after some sleep.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
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Vinson Massif Expedition, November 22, 2025
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Vinson Massif
Thursday, December 5, 2024 - 8:40 am PT
It is always amazing to reflect on how long it takes for anyone to dream and prepare for any large mountain, especially for one as remote as the Vinson Massif. For some that time can be measured in decades. For today we can reflect as we decend from high camp. We started from over 12,000' elevation down the fixed lines, past Camp 1 where we pick up our sleds, all the way to Vinson Base Camp. From there we flew back to Union Glacier Camp. Once we got off the ski plane we got confirmation that after dinner we are going to board our Boeing 757 to Punta Arenas tonight. Meaning we get to go from negative thirty something to nice hotel temperatures. What a change in settings.
RMI Climber Forrest Heller
New Post Alerts:
Vinson Expedition November 22, 2024
Love you Dom. Amazing
Posted by: Art Cifelli on 12/7/2024 at 12:24 pm
That is Awesome Dave!!! Great Work!!! Congrats!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 12/4/2025 at 3:58 am
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