Mount Vinson
Aurora Nichols
Welcome!
Throughout the years, a question about the tallest mountain on the coldest continent has been asked by many people. This question may seem odd, but the question, having been born on the date of discovery, is simple:What would it be like to climb Mount Vinson? Vinson Massif was discovered in 1957 by a group on a navy reconnaissance flight during late December. Short,y after that, a mere twelve years, a group led by Nicholas Clinch summited, paving the road for over a thousand others. Not only have there been amazing climbers inked through Vinson's timeline, there have been other amazing instances and information, such as the immense height, the intense danger, and the recognizable name.
The Height
Vinson Massif, or more commonly, Mount Vinson, is a mountain with a height of 16,066 feet, which may not seem very tall compared to Mount Everest, but it made the list of the seven summits. Not only does it stand tall, like a picturesque image of a god from Roman times,it is wide as well. The base stretches across roughly thirteen miles, adding to the already immense size. Vinson is also part of the seven summits, the tallest mountains on each continent. According to LiveScience, Vinson is, " The eighth most prominent mountain in the world," on the fifth largest continent. Though this height might be found fascinating by some, the danger may also seem interesting.
The Danger in the Climate
A mere 750 miles from the South Pole, the climate for Mount Vinson is very rough. Located in the Ellsworth Mountains, the temperature drops to -20 degrees Fahrenheit on average.Often times, climbers have been able to keep perishable items such as raw meat and lobster from rotting. Another example of the low temperature is this statement from Rainbow Summits,"...the tremendously cold temperatures and extreme weather can be a major issue for climbers." Though these dangers are enough, a danger cannot go without a name.
The Name
Farewell
The name can be associated with having been last discovered, last climbed, and last named. However, there are the other characteristics that make mount Vinson as it is today. Not only have there been amazing climbers inked through Vinson's timeline, there have been other amazing instances and information, such as the immense height, the intense danger, and the recognizable name. Though Vinson may be second smallest of the seven summits, it seems as if the smallest things are often the most interesting.
Sources for Images and Quotes
Website Title: Mount , the summit of Antarctica. The seven summits, the hig[…]
Article Title: Vinson
Date Accessed: December 08, 2015
Website Title: Rainbow Summits
Article Title: Vinson - Rainbow Summits
Electronically Published: June 08, 2012
Date Accessed: December 08, 2015
Website Title: LiveScience
Article Title: Mount Vinson: Antarctica's Highest Mountain
Publisher: TechMedia Network
Electronically Published: November 11, 2013
Date Accessed: December 08, 2015
Author: by Kim Ann Zimmermann
https://www.alpineascents.com/vinson-main.asp
http://www.adventure-network.com/experiences/mount-vinson
http://www.alanarnette.com/7summits/7summits.php