Mt. Vinson (16,067 ft/4,897 m) Planning Package Photo by Dave Morton Climber Information Photo by Dave Morton Keep in Touch Flight Information As a member of our Mt. Vinson team we encourage you to contact Given the nature of the flight, there may be delays getting in/ us with any questions as our intent is to provide personal attention out of Antarctica. If we are delayed in Punta Arenas, those are to your preparation needs. While this document will answer many “free” days to tour the city. Alpine Ascents does not provide food, of your questions, we enjoy hearing about your specific interests transport and hotels during your stay in Punta Arenas. and look forward to making the pre-trip planning and training an exciting part of the journey. Please take the time to read this Flight reservations for your climb should be made as soon as document in full. possible. Alpine Ascents uses the services of Charles Mulvehill at Scan East West Travel: (800) 727-2157 or (206) 623-2157. He is very Alpine Ascents Seattle: (206) 378-1927 familiar with our International and Domestic Programs and offers competitive prices on all domestic/international flights. Paperwork We highly recommend using our travel agent as he can best facilitate changes. Flights back to the USA usually need to be Please make sure you complete and return the following changed (as flights to/from Antarctica are subject to delay). If you paperwork as soon as possible. This information assists us in use our travel agent we may be able to call ahead via satellite procuring permits and making final hotel reservations. phone from Antarctica and make changes in advance, letting you reach home earlier. ⎕ Application ⎕ Passport Copy ⎕ Flight Itinerary ⎕ A.L.E. Forms (mail originals to Alpine Ascents) If you do not book with our agent, it may be more difficult to ⎕ Trip Evacuation Insurance Confirmation change your flight and you would have to wait until you returned to Punta Arenas. This generally requires physically walking into the Travel Arrangements Lan Chile office in Punta Arenas. Please refer to your itinerary to determine correct arrival and departure dates. Flying to Punta Arenas, Chile Delays: Delays leaving Punta Arenas to Vinson will result in This climb begins and ends in the Chilean city of Punta Arenas, our additional lodging and meals costs. Please do not plan any departure point for the landing strip at Union Glacier, Antarctica. important business for the two weeks following the expedition. You are expected to arrive two days before the Antarctica flight Delays of 3–5 days are common (inbound or outbound) and to provide ample time to retrieve any lost luggage and to attend should be expected as part of the planning. Our schedule already a full briefing from Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (A.L.E)., our includes 3 extra days for delays, and should our climb finish early, flight service. We will pick you up at the airport in Punta Arenas. our travel agent can generally arrange for earlier departure. Please ensure we have your flight schedule. Please Note: You need to pick up your baggage in Santiago, Chile and personally take For more information see Punta Arenas street maps below. it through customs en route to Punta Arenas. This is a common reason why luggage is delayed getting to Punta Arenas. Alpine Ascents International • 109 W Mercer St. • Seattle, WA • p: (206) 378-1927 • f: (206) 378-1937 • e: [email protected] • www.alpineascents.com Climber Information 1 Expenses Credit cards are accepted at our hotel and in most restaurants. In the chance that we are forced to move hotels, please note that some hotels do not accept credit cards but ATM machines are available. It is advisable to take at least $500 in cash along with your credit card. Additionaly, it is customary to tip your climbing guide. For guidelines we suggest $300 per climber for a great expedition, and $500 for an exceptional one. Tipping is not required and based on your satisfaction with the guides. Food & Water We are all aware of the potential monotony of expedition Visa & Entry Requirements food and Alpine Ascents makes every effort to have meals on the climb as enjoyable as possible. A valid passport is necessary to travel to Chile. There are currently This includes local shopping before each no visa requirements for US citizens. Citizens from outside the expedition, pre-planned meals and Unites States need to check with local Chilean Embassy. While dining as a group (in dining tent when there are currently no extra fees due upon arrival, in the past there possible). have been, so be prepared for any changes to entry policies. We take great care in our If you are a citizen from outside the US you are responsible for meal preparation while obtaining a double entry visa. Please check with your local Chilean understanding the Embassy for details. There are currently no health requirements for importance of enjoying entering Antarctica. your food and staying healthy. Alpine Ascents prepares all water by boiling. Emergency Contact Climbers will fill water bottles at all meals. The best way for family or friends to contact you in an emergency is through the Seattle office: (206) 378-1927. For emergencies after business hours, you may contact our Director of Programs, Gordon A.L.E. Janow at home: (206) 419-0097. (texting ok) A.L.E. or Antarctica Logistics and Expeditions has its own paperwork and Lodging protocols (follow the links below). A.L.E oversees our local hotel reservations and operates the Union Glacier camp in Antarctica. In Punta Arenas You must read, sign and return their paperwork to Alpine Ascents as soon as possible. The scheduled hotel for this expedition is the Dreams Hotel. (Please note: climbers pay for their own lodging in Punta Waste Guide Arenas). Hotel is subject to change before and after the climb. --- As Punta Arenas is a transition town to Antarctica, hotels can be Flight Service Medical Form unexpectedly full at the last minute. You may have a different hotel --- before or after your climb. We can help arrange shared rooms, Flight Service Personal Information Form please note your interest on the rooming part of the application --- and we will try and pair climbers. Alpine Ascents will make the Flight Service Waiver Form initial hotel reservations. --- A.L.E. Biosecurity & Equipment Cleaning Dreams Hotel --- O’Higgins 1235 A.L.E. Visitors Guide Punta Arenas, Chile (600) 626-0000 • www.mundodreams.com Alpine Ascents International • 109 W Mercer St. • Seattle, WA • p: (206) 378-1927 • f: (206) 378-1937 • e: [email protected] • www.alpineascents.com Climber Information 2 Cybercast We are planning to cybercast your expedition on our website. If you have any objections to having your name included in the cybercast as a team member, please contact us as soon as possible. How it works: Guides call in an audio report that is immediately posted to our website. Please let your family & friends know that the lack of a current cybercast does not indicate a problem with the team. The address for the cybercast is: www.alpineascents.com/climbs/mount-vinson/cybercasts/ Gear Follow us on Facebook Please review gear list at the link below carefully and contact us if you have any questions. We realize that you may have personal Like us on Facebook and see our latest news on your Facebook preferences and have tested gear and gear systems in the field, page. http://www.facebook.com/AlpineAscentsInternational but encourage you to contact us with any significant variations. Our lists are updated regularly, but some brands and models do change. Early Departure/Evacuation www.alpineascents.com/climbs/mount-vinson/gear-list/ If you need to leave the expedition early you are responsible for all You are required to bring every item on the list. We are happy incurred expenses (evac fees, transport, extra hotel nights, etc). to work closely with you on finding the proper gear. Lastly, conditions can vary greatly in Antarctica and not all items may be used on your particular expedition. Guides oversee the gear list Trip Cancellation Insurance and we make every effort to have gear lists as concise and user friendly as possible. As there are many unforeseen circumstances that may occur during or leading up to the trip, we highly recommend trip You are required to bring every item on this list as described so be cancellation insurance. In many situations, this may be the as precise as possible when packing. Alpine Ascents rents quality only way to receive a refund for unused services. In brief, trip equipment at reasonable rates. In addition, gear is now available cancellation insurance may allow you to get reimbursement if you for purchase at the Alpine Ascents Equipment Store where need to cancel your expedition when you are not entitled to a climbers on an Alpine Ascents expedition will receive a discount. refund from Alpine Ascents. Alpine Ascents International offers a plan in conjunction with our travel insurance partner. Recommended Reading • Our flight carrier for Antarctica requires insurance coverage for 7 days after your expected return date. The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition • Detailed policy information will be sent upon receipt of your by Caroline Alexander, Knopf completed application, see website for complete details. Let Heroes Speak: Antarctic Explorers, 1772-1922 Please Note: A.L.E. requires trip evacuation insurance. This can by Michael H. Rosove, Naval Institute Press be purchased through our travel insurance partner (as part of or separately from a Trip Cancellation Insurance package). Please To Everest Via Antarctica: Climbing Solo on the Highest Peak on email us a copy of your confirmation letter with policy number Each of the World’s Seven Continents upon receipt.