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Impressive and exceptionally remote, Mount Sidley is to be found in one of Antarctica’s least travelled corners of it’s polar ice sheet making it a truly special place to visit.
To date there have been very few ascents of Mount Sidley, Antarctica’s highest volcano. One side of the mountains forms a huge caldera crater with a diameter of 5 km, with its internal walls forming a sheer one kilometre high cliff of ice. On the other side there are blue ice slopes that rise gently to the crater rim giving easy access to its summit. Sidley’s spectacular remote setting is a ‘must do’ for adventurous mountaineers in search of one of the most remote and unique places on earth!
Please note, the final payment is based on the equivalent of $70,500 on an exchange rate of 1.25 at the time of making your final payment.
All dates shown for Mount Sidley are land only. If adding flights from the UK, please allow 1 more day before the trip and 3 more day after the trip to cover air travel time.
* A deposit of £5,000 will be required at checkout.
Day 1 | Arrive in Punta Arenas and transfer to your hotel. H,B. |
Day 2 | Spare day in case of delays or lost baggage. Free time to ensure you have all the supplies you need and to explore Punta Arenas. H,B. |
Day 3 | Expedition briefing, final preparations and equipment checks with information on our flight arrangements, the current weather and what to expect on your arrival in Antarctica to ensure nothing has been missed. We talk through our/Antarctica’s environmental policy and how we can ensure this pristine environment is maintained. The rest of the day is free to explore the city. |
Day 4 | Flight to Union Glacier.If the weather conditions in both Punta Arenas and the Union Glacier permit, we fly by a Russian jet powered Ilyushion-76 aircraft over Tierra del Fuego and out across Drake’s Passage, towards the frozen lands of Antarctica. This is a five hour flight and there will be an opportunity to visit the flight deck for some incredible views. On arrival on Union Glacier we erect our tents and enjoy a good meal. (C,B,L,D) |
Days 5 - 6 | Acclimatisation on nearby peaks and final preparations (C,B,L,D) |
Day 7 | If we have not flown the previous day, we fly by Ski aircraft to Mt Sidley, a flight of about 550miles (885kms). This is situated on the far west of Antarctica in the Executive Committee Range. During the flight you will begin to get an understanding of the vast remoteness of Mt Sidley After unloading the aircraft, we establish camp and rearrange our loads ready for the journey ahead. (C,B,L,D) |
Days 8 - 12 | There are a variety of possible ascents routes from the easy slopes on the North side to a steeper route up the west ridge via Bennett Saddle. The final choice will be made by the team and your guide. The climb from base camp to the summit involves about 2250m of ascent. From base camp carrying our gear between rucksacks and pulks/sleds, we ascend alpine style via two camps. Although the glacier is never steep, these can be tough days due to hard ‘sastrugi’ (wind scoured snow flutings) and mushroom formations. The team may ski to the lower camp and then on foot with crampons, will be roped together as should be the case on any glacial terrain. On arrival at camp we build snow walls to protect us from the wind, the snow is easily sawn into blocks and folk quite often become quite creative during down time as sculptures start to form! A toilet area is created so that contamination is kept to a minimum and all removable waste can be taken off the mountain (yes, including human waste that quickly freezes). (C,B,L,D) |
Days 13 - 14 | Return to base camp. If the weather has been kind we can use up our spare days can be used for an optional ascent of Mount Waesche or other satellite peaks (C,B,L,D) |
Day 15 | Return to Union Glacier Camp. Fly back to Union glacier to celebrate our achievements. |
Day 16 | Weather permitting the Ilusion will arrive to take us back to the warmth of Punta Arenas. |
Day 17 | This is the first possible date for your return International flights to depart Punta Arenas. However, due to the nature of flights on and off Antarctica we strongly advice you book your alterable international return flight for four days later than the planned departure date from Antarctica. It is easier to bring them forward on arrival into Punta Arenas than trying to change them whilst on the ice! |
It is essential for a trip of this type that you are adequately insured. When researching insurance options, please ensure the policy covers you for the following:
Adventure Peaks partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading travel protection services. Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, we rely on Global Rescue to provide our clients with medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services. Without a membership, an emergency evacuation could cost over $100,000. More than one million members trust Global Rescue to get them home safely when the unexpected happens. We highly recommend our clients enroll with Global Rescue, in particular for peaks over 7000m:
https://partner.globalrescue.com/adventurepeaks/
We are aware the following provide insurance:
Expeditions and Treks under 7000m - Campbell Irvine Direct : http://www.campbellirvine.com/AdventurePeaks
HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK) www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
Rothwell & Towler: www.world-first.co.uk Tel: 0345 908 0161 (under 6400m)
J S Insurance: www.jsinsurance.co.uk Tel: 0844 848 1500
Snowcard: www.snowcard.co.uk Tel: 01295 660836
The B.M.C.: www.thebmc.co.uk Tel: 0161 445 6111 (call and speak to Jim. Please note the BMC cannot cover Mt Damavand)
Dogtag: www.dogtag.co.uk Tel: 0800 036 4824 (Check excess etc)
HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK): www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
AXA Worldwide Travel Ins: www.axainsurance.com Tel: +44 (0)844 874 0360
Ingle International: www.ingleinternational.com Tel: (USA) 1.800.360.3234
Insure for Less: www.insure4less.com.au (Australian clients)
You do not have to use any of the above, but if you make your own insurance arrangements documentary evidence of your own policy is required.
Please forward the details of your Insurance as soon as you have it: we need the insurance company’s name, their 24 hour emergency telephone number and your insurance policy number – admin@adventurepeaks.com