January 21st, 2025
The team climbing to High Camp, with Mt. Shinn in the background. (Benny Lieber)
Mt. Vinson is an enigmatic mountain in perhaps the most far-off corner of the globe that a mountaineer can dream of. It’s allure has driven many a IMG team to travel far-and-wide to climb its inspiring, remote slopes, hoping to return with incredible stories, jaw-dropping photographs, and a few new summiteers. This year, Vinson delivered as it always has for IMG, ever since we started running expeditions to the “Big Ice” in 1988.
Making the most of the weather delays at UG, fat biking on the 10k groomed loop. (Max Bond)
The start of the expedition was a rocky one, with weather delays holding us back in Punta Arenas, and then again in Union Glacier as we awaited a Twin-Otter flight to Vinson Base Camp.
Fog lifting and sky clearing.
Finally seeing the mountain and moving up to Low Camp. (Max Bond)
Team moving up to High Camp.
Approaching the summit.
This was a great lesson in patience for our entire team, and the lesson paid off. The second-half of the expedition could not have gone more smoothly; our team seemed to move up the mountain with ease, gifted with excellent weather and a strong group of climbers. With 100% to the summit, we were back in VBC only 6 days after leaving.
The team on top of Mt Vinson 16,050 feet (4,892 meters). (Max Bond)
Summit success, strong team, strong energy, strong leadership. All come together for a stellar Summit Day!
January 8th, 2025 Summit success on top of Antarctica’s Mt. Vinson! (Max Bond)
The team raises a glass to the successful expedition (Max Bond)I want to thank and congratulate the awesome team we had on Vinson this year. Vinson Massif only sees ~100-200 attempts per year, with only ~1,200 summits since it was first climbed in 1966. That means our group is joining an elite club of international climbers. Congratulations, everyone, on the amazing achievement!
I also want to thank our outstanding team back in the states: Becky, for the expedition wouldn’t even leave IMG HQ without you; Porter McMichael and Justin Merle for contributing their invaluable knowledge and hard work setting up caches along the mountain in years past; and Eric Simonson for his excellent leadership and mentorship. We couldn’t do it without the whole team on board!!