EXPEDITION MOUNT VINSON | DECEMBER 2027 & JANUARY 2028
The seventh summit
By Ilyushin onto the blue ice, and from there on foot to the highest point of Antarctica.
The story of this expedition
From Brussels you travel to Punta Arenas, at the southern tip of Chile. There you wait for the weather window. And then comes the moment that makes this expedition unique: a large transport aircraft sets you down on a blue ice runway in the interior of Antarctica. From that moment you are on the coldest, driest and most remote continent on earth, where not a single permanent resident lives.
From base camp we work our way up the glacier to the high camps. You haul and carry your gear in stages, roped to your team, across an ice field that nobody sets foot on outside a few weeks a year.
The sun does not set here in December. You climb, eat and sleep in endless light, which throws your sense of time completely off. Summit day takes you to the highest point of the continent, overlooking an ice plain that reaches literally to the horizon and beyond.
Antarctica holds no sound that does not come from you or the weather. No birds, no insects, no aircraft, no traffic. Those who have been describe that silence as the most striking part of the whole journey, more so than the summit itself.
We deliberately choose December and January: the only window in the year when Antarctica is reachable and temperatures allow a climb.
The story of
this expedition
From Brussels you travel to Punta Arenas, at the southern tip of Chile. There you wait for the weather window. And then comes the moment that makes this expedition unique: a large transport aircraft sets you down on a blue ice runway in the interior of Antarctica. From that moment you are on the coldest, driest and most remote continent on earth, where not a single permanent resident lives.
From base camp we work our way up the glacier to the high camps. You haul and carry your gear in stages, roped to your team, across an ice field that nobody sets foot on outside a few weeks a year.
The sun does not set here in December. You climb, eat and sleep in endless light, which throws your sense of time completely off. Summit day takes you to the highest point of the continent, overlooking an ice plain that reaches literally to the horizon and beyond.
Antarctica holds no sound that does not come from you or the weather. No birds, no insects, no aircraft, no traffic. Those who have been describe that silence as the most striking part of the whole journey, more so than the summit itself.
We deliberately choose December and January: the only window in the year when Antarctica is reachable and temperatures allow a climb.
Self-sufficient,
but never alone
Above base camp you carry and haul your own gear, help pitch the tents, melt snow for water and cook in shifts. At these temperatures every action takes longer, and there is no such thing as a passenger.
You learn to work in cold where everything takes longer, melt snow for water and haul your gear above base camp, guided by an experienced X- Guide whom you meet well in advance during the preparation programme.
Safety & guidance
Safety is the foundation of every Element X expedition. Our X Guides are professionally trained, hold WFR certificates and have years of experience in extreme conditions.
Every expedition is equipped with satellite phones, GPS tracking, clear safety procedures, a fully developed evacuation plan and local support from the Antarctic operator.
Before departure we also carry out a thorough risk analysis and prepare everything down to the last detail.
Guided by real expedition leaders.
You step into nature, away from the
beaten track, but always with the certainty of experienced guidance
and safety first.
Safety & guidance
Safety is the foundation of every Element X expedition. Our X Guides are professionally trained, hold
WFR certificates and have
years of experience in extreme conditions.
Every expedition is equipped with satellite phones, GPS tracking, clear safety procedures, a fully developed evacuation plan and local support from the Antarctic operator.
Before departure we also carry out a thorough risk analysis and prepare everything down to the last detail.
Self-sufficient,
but never alone
Above base camp you carry and haul your own gear, help pitch the tents, melt snow for water and cook in shifts. At these temperatures every action takes longer, and there is no such thing as a passenger.
You learn to work in cold where everything takes longer, melt snow for water and haul your gear above base camp, guided by an experienced X-Guide whom you meet well in advance during the preparation programme.
We let no one step into the unknown unprepared.
An expedition of this calibre starts months in advance. The preparation programme consists of an individual phase and a group phase.
Individual phase
Starts immediately after registration. You receive an inspiration pack with practical tips, insights and exercises to start moving like an expedition member. You gather your expedition gear using the packing list (do not buy anything yet: bring what you already have to the kick off). And you share your medical information, because the best preparation is a plan for when things go wrong.
Group phase
Starts 3 to 6 months before departure with the kick off: a full day on which you meet your team, taste the expedition atmosphere and take the first steps as a group. There we plan the follow-up moments together and the WhatsApp group starts. Training includes, among other things: getting to know the group and roles, physical screening and analysis, a personalised training schedule, technical and resilience training, gear, nutrition and sleep setup, and a final check.
Accredited service provider for the KMO-portefeuille
To help entrepreneurs and KMO leaders grow as much as possible, a leadership programme/training is linked to this expedition, which closely aligns with the adventure. This programme falls under the theme Business strategy and is eligible for subsidy via the KMO-portefeuille.
As an entrepreneur, you can receive up to 30% subsidy on the training costs of this programme. Important (!): only the training itself is eligible. Travel, accommodation, and expedition costs are not covered by the subsidy.
Accredited service provider for the KMO-portefeuille
To help entrepreneurs and KMO leaders grow as much as possible, a leadership programme/training is linked to this expedition, which closely aligns with the adventure. This programme falls under the theme Business strategy and is eligible for subsidy via the KMO-portefeuille.
As an entrepreneur, you can receive up to 30% subsidy on the training costs of this programme. Important (!): only the training itself is eligible. Travel, accommodation, and expedition costs are not covered by the subsidy.
As seen in
Picture this: an aircraft landing on blue ice, a sun still hanging low above the horizon at midnight, and a silence so complete that you hear your own blood moving.
On Expedition Mount Vinson you reach a summit that only a few hundred people in the world have ever seen: not because it is the most technical, but because almost nobody ever gets there.
Picture this: an aircraft landing on blue ice, a sun still hanging low above the horizon at midnight, and a silence so complete that you hear your own blood moving.
On Expedition Mount Vinson you reach a summit that only a few hundred people in the world have ever seen: not because it is the most technical, but because almost nobody ever gets there.
Frequently asked questions
This expedition asks for a strong physical base and experience with altitude and cold. You do not have to be an elite athlete, but you do have to be willing to train with purpose for months. Through our preparation programme (screening, training schedule and targeted sessions) we build your level up to expedition standard in 3 to 6 months. During the intake we look together at whether your experience is sufficient, and which stepping stone might make sense first.
Very safe within the limits of what a polar expedition is. We work with WFR certified expedition leaders, satellite communication, evacuation plans and the full logistical support of the Antarctic operator, who keeps base camp permanently staffed during the season.
The full Antarctic logistics from Punta Arenas, including both flights, permits, equipment, guidance and all meals, plus the complete preparation programme of 3 to 6 months. International flights to Punta Arenas, personal clothing and insurance are not included.
Frequently asked questions
This expedition asks for a strong physical base and experience with altitude and cold. You do not have to be an elite athlete, but you do have to be willing to train with purpose for months. Through our preparation programme (screening, training schedule and targeted sessions) we build your level up to expedition standard in 3 to 6 months. During the intake we look together at whether your experience is sufficient, and which stepping stone might make sense first.
Very safe within the limits of what a polar expedition is. We work with WFR certified expedition leaders, satellite communication, evacuation plans and the full logistical support of the Antarctic operator, who keeps base camp permanently staffed during the season.
The full Antarctic logistics from Punta Arenas, including both flights, permits, equipment, guidance and all meals, plus the complete preparation programme of 3 to 6 months. International flights to Punta Arenas, personal clothing and insurance are not included.
Ready for the seventh summit?
Taking an option is free and without obligation; your spot is only confirmed after the intake.
Koen De Leeuw
Expedition leader | Element X
“In extreme cold and complete isolation, discipline matters more than technique. Every action takes longer, and there is no quick way out. Anyone who departs here has been selected and prepared months in advance.”
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