January 8th. Greetings from Antarctica, the Union Glacier Camp from the Empanadas group, the Sidley expedition! As you already know, we have successfully climbed the summit of our dreams - Sidley. And, since we were in Antarctica, we decided to fly to the South Pole. The guys spent the night right at the Pole and happily returned to Union today. Now we are here waiting for our departure to the Mainland.

 And now another group of our club has just returned from Vinson. A couple of days ago, they successfully climbed the summit under the guidance of our Antarctic super-guide Artem Rostovtsev.

So now we are having a joint gala dinner and celebrating our victories.

Hello everyone! This is Lyudmila Korobeshko, the expedition to Sidley. Now we are already at the Sidley base camp. The day before yesterday we successfully went to the top and yesterday we went down from the High Camp to the base camp. We're going to fly to Union today. And then the guys had a new idea.  Our program ends on January 10th, when we are scheduled to fly to Punta Arenas. So, we have 4 free days. We decided to fly to the South Pole to celebrate Christmas there.

Photos from previous expeditions

Photos from previous expeditions

Photos from previous expeditions

 Hello everyone! The weather postponed the flight by only one day. Now we are already in Antarctica, and now the Antarctic season has really begun. So far, according to the forecast, the vicinity of the pole is not very suitable for flights, we will spend at least one day on the Union Glacier. There will be something to do, we will practice with the equipment before going on the route already in the environment for which it was created. Skis, sleds, stretches, systems.

And yes, there is Wi-Fi!

 For the first time in history, an Internet connection has been established with Antarctica this year. We are waiting for new reports and operational information from Artyom!

Punta Arenas, the southernmost mainland town in the world, broadcasts. From here, all expeditions to the Vinson Massif, to the Sidley volcano and the "Last Degree" to the South Pole on skis will start. First, a flight to Union Glacier, which is only 3,000 km away. This season the 7 Summits Club has 4 expeditions: The "Last degree" once, twice the highest point of Antarctica the Vinson Massif, and once the highest volcano in Antarctica Mount Sidley.

According to the plan, the first group for the "Last degree" was already supposed to take off today, but the weather is making adjustments. We've packed and prepared, but we're still waiting. Today, the expectation was diluted with a visit to the museum with 1:1 replicas of famous ships on which Magellan made his exploratory voyages at the beginning of the XVI century and almost 300 years later Fitzroy. Charles Darwin was on the latter's team. Desperate and brave people were, to go into the unknown on such ships.

In a few days, the participants of the first expedition will arrive - a ski trip to the South Pole. Then, according to the plan, we will have two more large groups of climbers to the highest point of Antarctica - the Vinson Massif. And also after Christmas, the highlight of our season in Antarctica starts - the largest Russian expedition to the highest volcano in Antarctica, Sidley. Several members of this team are planning to complete the 7 Volcanoes project!!! At the moment only 8 people in Russia have been able to complete this project. Now there are only 42 such lucky people in the world.

P.S. - Meetings with interesting people often happen in Antarctica. We wish Artyom and our teams the most unexpected and pleasant Antarctic meetings!

Simultaneously with active preparations for Everest, Makalu and K2, we are also preparing for a large-scale season in Antarctica 2023-2024. This week we met with our partners for Antarctica (ALE). We specially flew to this meeting in Salt Lake City. And we have just incredible news!

 A very large and unusual season in Antarctica is planned. In addition to our standard programs "Ascent to the highest peak of Antarctica Vinson" and expeditions to the South Pole "Last Degree", this time we will have two large groups to the highest volcano in Antarctica — Sidley.

The 7 Summits Club is the first and only company in Russia that started 20 years ago and annually organizes ascents in Antarctica on the Vinson Massif as part of the Seven Summits project and to Sidley as part of the Seven Volcanoes project.

Usually, only 8 people per year are allowed to climb Mount Sidley from all over the world.  But thanks to successful negotiations, we will have two big groups in the 2024 season!

Join us!

The season in Antarctica has ended. It was not the longest for the 7 Summits Club, but as always productive. All the participants and guides managed to stand on the top of the Vinson massif. And the final group was lucky to be on the summit in quiet sunny windless weather, so the predicted -32 felt like -10. Now everyone has already gone home, the expedition equipment has been checked, repaired, preserved and is waiting for the next season. We invite everyone! Everyone who is ready.

Alexander Abramov: "In The Workshop of Fyodor Konyukhov. We were planning new trips. And new climbing in Antarctica."

 The formation of groups to Antarctica is coming to an end, but you can still have time to join our groups of the 2022/2023 season. Programs and details on the website. The ice continent is real space!

All the participants of the expeditions went home safely.  They received diplomas and medals for their Antarctic achievements. 

In general, greetings to everyone from our already thinned, but still cool Antarctic expedition of the 7 Summits Club!

A team of six people, two of whom, Tashi and Nims, were in the role of guides, reached the South Pole on January 1. They successfully coped with the "Last Degree" program, having skied about 110 kilometers. Now all the participants and guides are already resting at the Union Glacier base. Part of the group is waiting for departure to Punta Arenas, and some (those who have not been there) are planning to climb on the summit of the Vinson Massif.

Vladimir Kotlyar, guide of the 7 Summits Club, from Antarctica (audio message): Aloha, to the Seven Summits Club! Vladimir Kotlyar and brothers Valery and Yuri Shamrilo are in touch. AND... WE ARE AT THE SOUTH POLE, FRIENDS! Yes, it was worth it, it's unforgettable! Unique emotions! And, of course, thank you all very much for following us, for worrying about us and wishing us good luck! Tomorrow, if the weather remains as fine as it was today, we will fly to the Union Glacier. Well, friends, once again, thank you all very much! I hug everyone tightly!

Vladimir Kotlyar, guide of the 7 Summits Club, from Antarctica: Aloha to the Seven Summits Club! The group going to the South Pole, guide Vladimir Kotlyar, participants Valery and Yuri Shamrilo from Belarus are in touch. We long time waited for the weather and  at last flew to the starting point. Unfortunately, due to the fact that we spent many days on the Union Glacier, we had only four days left, at most, anâ we shortened the program. We are not going to "the last degree", but "the last half degree". Which is also, in principle, not bad, not bad – we have already walked three kilometers and we will probably walk three or five kilometers more today. That's enough for the first day. We will set up a camp, rest, and tomorrow we will go as much as possible! We are looking for the South Pole…

The group with guides Nirmal Purja and Tashi Lakpa went on the classic route "The Last degree".

Vladimir Kotlyar, a guide of the 7 Summits Club, from Antarctica: Aloha to the 7 Summits Club! The expedition to the Vinson Massif is in touch. Guides Artem Rostovtsev, Vladimir Kotlyar and Nirmal Purja. We're finally back on Union Glacier. We sat in the base camp for four days, waiting for the weather. And today we were lucky. I can't say that the flight was absolutely uneventful, we were a little shocked.  But our pilots are real professionals and that's why everything ended fine. Despite the severe turbulence. Artem and Mikhail stayed at the Vinson Massif base camp to continue climbing program. Other participants came to the Union Glacier base. And now the main part of the group is waiting for a flight to Punta Arenas. Well, the part of the group that goes with me to the South Pole, we are waiting for departure to the starting point.  So wish us good luck! I hope we will complete one more of our tasks and reach the South Pole. Everyone, adios!

In general, in the 2021/22 season, the 7 Summits Club has 4 large groups on the Vinson Massif and one group on the ski South Pole. There are 42 participants and 7 guides in total. The season is hard, after last year's break, but interesting!

In the picture, the group members, guides of our Nepali programs Tashi Lakpa, Mingma Sherpa and Chhang Dawa Sherpa. Elite Nepalese climbers are planning to add ‘Seven summits” and “Two poles” to the collection of 14 eight-thousand-meter peaks in the near future.

We usually complete preparations for Antarctica in the calendar summer. That is, by the beginning of September, all the lists of tourists traveling and flying to Antarctica were always ready. But this year we are just getting out of the covid press.  Will there be a season in Antarctica? There was no affirmative answer to this question for a long time.  And it took longer than usual to form groups.  There was demand, and the demand is deferred. Since last season was completely canceled by the American logistics organizers on the Ice Continent.  Now all issues have been resolved and agreed. There will be a season and we already have groups.  But in other countries, booking is worse than usual. And there are unsold seats in many positions.  We publish a full list of our arrivals.  The availability of seats may be confirmed, maybe not. Guaranteed to have one place from January 6 on Vinson and Sidley.

Antarctica. Climbing Vinson. November 23 - December 8, December 4 - December 19, December 15 - December 30, December 26 - January 10. January 6 - January 21.

Guide Artem Rostovtsev. Cost: $45,900.

Antakrtida. The South Pole. December 4 - December 19, December 15 - December 30, December 31 - January 15. Guide Artem Rostovtsev. Cost: $65,900

Antarctica. Sidley (The Seven Volcanoes program). January 6 - January 21.  Guide: Lyudmila Korobeshko. Cost: $60,990.

 We compare a trip to Antarctica, especially to its central part, with a visit to another planet. These are absolutely unique impressions and emotions, this is a memory for a lifetime. This is something that it is better not to postpone, if there is an opportunity!

 We invite you to join our next groups.

 Ascent to the highest peak of Antarctica, Mount Vinson (4892m) with a guide Artem Rostovtsev. One of the key ones in the "Seven Summits" project.

Program

 Climbing the highest volcano in Antarctica, Mount Sidley (4181m) with Lyudmila Korobeshko. The key moment in the project "Seven Volcanoes". There are not so many people who have passed this test in the world.

Program

And a combo, "two in one": Climbing Mount Vinson (4892m) + climbing Sidley volcano (4181m).

The main star of mountaineering in the Himalayas of 2019, Nirmal Purja (aka Nims) intends to devote himself to working as a guide in the near future. Last year, the Nepalese became close friends with the 7 Summits Club and we agreed with him on mutually beneficial cooperation. We present to You the first joint project:

The program of ascent on the highest peak of Antarctica, Mount Vinson, and a ski trip to the South Pole. 

Nims is a cheerful and sociable guy, with a lot of life experience, physically and mentally surprisingly resistant person. Traveling with him will be something special that you can remember and tell all your life.

Nirmal "Nims" Purja (born 25.07.1983, Myagdi, Nepal) is a Nepalese mountaineer, former Gurkha, soldier of the Special boat service (SBS), an elite special forces unit of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. It climbed all fourteen eight-thousandths in a record time of 6 months 6 days in 2019. Awarded the British order of knighthood - The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

The program of ascent on the highest peak of Antarctica, Mount Vinson, and a ski trip to the South Pole. 

Nims is a cheerful and sociable guy, with a lot of life experience, physically and mentally surprisingly resistant person. Traveling with him will be something special that you can remember and tell all your life.

Nirmal "Nims" Purja (born 25.07.1983, Myagdi, Nepal) is a Nepalese mountaineer, former Gurkha, soldier of the Special boat service (SBS), an elite special forces unit of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. It climbed all fourteen eight-thousandths in a record time of 6 months 6 days in 2019. Awarded the British order of knighthood - The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Nims in Moscow

 Vladislav Lachkarev became the third man in the world, who finished program "Seven summits, seven volcanoes and two poles"! And the youngest one…

RD Studio: in 1820 the Russian expedition Bellingshausen and Lazarev gave the world the sixth continent. On the eve of the bicentennial of this event, we went to Antarctica to create a documentary about the brightest pages of its history. And at the same time we did something that no one else did: a unique Autonomous auto vehicle run on the ice through the Antarctic Continent! For 38 days we passed 5519 km on all-terrain vehicles "Yemelya" without refueling and replenishment of stocks on the way!

Oleg Tinkov says hello to his countrymen from the South pole:

In General, our crazy idea was realized. Everyone is very happy, despite the fact that the weather today is very bad. There was a very high risk of frostbite. The road was in fact  invisible. White snow merged, it was very, very difficult.

Well, that is all. Our mission actually ends here. We hope to fly to Union Glacier tomorrow. On the 14th our Soviet IL-76 will be able to arrive and take us.

The mood of the team is great, cheerful. All the guys make future plans for new adventures…

 Today we flew from Union Glacier to the region of South Pole.  We arrived at the mark of 50 km, where we were met by a ratrak (snowcat) with sledges, in which there were 13 bikes and  13 skis. Today we went skiing 15 km to the camp, which Artem set in advance (kitchen and all tents).

That is all right. It is cold, -30 degrees and wind. But members of the team say that in the North pole was much worse. Tomorrow we have 35 km by Bicycle to the Pole. Usually we go 40 minutes and then all collect and drink tea. With us there is a snowcat.

So, tomorrow we have to make a world record - to come to the South pole on two-wheeled bicycles. No one has done this before us. We're 13 people.

 As long as Union Glacier has great weather, no wind. The sun shines. All is ready, things are collected. Artem Rostovtsev has already flown to the South Pole. In the morning he will go to meet our team on the transport at the point where the team will land. In General, everything is fine!

And we were supposed to fly to Vinson last night, just before the New Year. But since the team of Artem arrived very late, in the end, we decided to stay, to celebrate The New Year at the Union Glacier. We were supposed to fly to Vinson this morning, but it was foggy there. All things are collected, we play volleyball waiting for departure to Vinson.

Okay, bye! We're good. The team send Hello to everyone!

 Follow the movement of our groups on the map

https://www.iridium360.ru/guest/journey/96b9bff0#!#actors

We took a lot of photos and now we inform the whole world about our success.

Greetings from Antarctica, from the team "Last degree"! We've probably got another day or half a day and we're going back to Union Glacier. Next, we join our second team, to climb together Mount Vinson…

 We're going to Antarctica!! Bye, everyone! Happy New year! No Internet more !!

It looks like the weather will be good after December 31th. So for a couple of days, we'll be at Union glacier. And then we are promised a week of good weather. We have enough time to climb on Vinson.

Alexander Abramov. Project 7 summits in 7 months. Join the legend!

On the map you can see that Alexander Abramov is already on the base Union Glacier

https://www.iridium360.ru/guest/journey/96b9bff0#!#actors

Follow the map

https://www.iridium360.ru/guest/journey/96b9bff0#!#actors

I hope that we will succeed. Hello everyone from the snow-white edges of Antarctica!

An on-line map

Listen to the audio message:

Hurray! The program 7 summits in 7 months started!! Finally, our first group after seven days of waiting for the weather flew to Antarctica.  To ski  the South pole and climb the Vinson Massif.

We had a great Christmas. Today the whole town was resting. All shops are closed. Tomorrow we are buying products for the second group, which has already started to come to Punta Arenas. The next flight is scheduled for December 29. Onward and upward!

 Even I had to kiss the big toe of the Indian's right foot to do it. It is a tradition!

Hello from Chile, from my favorite city Punta Arenas! From here the road to Antarctica begins. But not everything is always smooth. Our first team going skiing to the South Pole planned to fly on December 18, is still sitting in the city. And I have some meetings with old friends today. Today it was the crew of the plane IL-76. They met  us with a table and stories. Then I visited for Christina. She has the addition of family - daughter Lena. In General, life goes on. Tomorrow on plan there will be a new attempt to departure in Antarctica.

Antarctica is waiting for us. Tonight previous group, that were delayed, departed. We were supposed to fly according to plan this morning, but pilots can't fly without rest. So we waited for the evening, waiting for departure to the airport. We will continue to wait for the flight. It will take place only if there is 12 hours of good weather and here in Punta Arenas and Union Glacier in Antarctica. Chances are usually 50/50, or Yes or no.

Everyone crossed their fingers and clenched their fists.

The expedition to Antarctica to the South Pole and  Mount Vinson  spun in full swing. While it is true, Antarctica is not even visible, there is a stage of preparation in Punta Arenas. Purchase of equipment, its check, adjustment, purchase of food. Today, the whole team finally got together. In 2 days we should be ready for departure. We hope that it will not be postponed as the previous teams, which are already 2 days waiting for the weather in Punta Arenas for departure to the Ice Continent.

And most importantly, we said farewell a team of TRANS-Antarctic rally.

 This season: the first Mongolian Ganga finished the program "Seven Summits". Most young Russian climber on the highest point of Antarctica: Dima Tertychnyi. And also for the first time a father and son. The first Belarusian - Vadim Frolov. First Pole Janusz Kohansky, who twice went on the Vinson Massif. Kazakhstan team reached the Pole. And, of course, It was trained a new  guide for Vinson - Vladimir Kotlyar. The first Russian woman Korobeshko Lyudmila came to the South Pole on skis for the second time. Aleksandr Abramov made his 16th ascent of Vinson Massif.

 Now Alexander Abramov and Ludmila Korobeshko rest in Mendoza. Tomorrow -  start a new adventure in  Aconcagua. Hooray!!!

See photos from the expedition below

ALL PICTURES (142) HERE >>>>>>> 

Ludmila Korobeshko from Antarctica: So, our expedition "The last two degrees" was successfully completed. December 31, 2016, as we had planned, to overcome more than 30 kilometers per day. And just a few hours, perhaps an hour before the New Year Chilean time, we reached the camp near the South Pole. The last 10 kilometers were probably the most difficult. Because we have already seen the station Amundsen - Scott, but it is absolutely not approached. It seemed that all of this is removed, just kind of Fata Morgana ...

And New Year's for Almaty and Moscow, we have met along the way. That is, in practice, we stubbornly went to his goal. And in 11 p.m. of Chile, we finally arrived at the camp, where we were warmly greeted by Hannah. We were fed, warmed, gave food and drink champagne. Everything ran perfectly. New Year, we still met.

The next day we had an excursion to the station Amundsen - Scott. Of course, we took pictures at the memorial points, geographic South Pole.

Now we are happy, slept, eaten off. We have already arrived at Union Glacier.

And tomorrow, or rather today, in the night of 2 January 3, we hope to fly  on the mainland, in Chile, in the city of Punta Arenas.

Everyone - a Happy New Year! Everyone - all the best! Our expedition was successful. You can congratulate us! Bye!

Hello!  It is Ludmila Korobeshko from Antarctica, a guide of  the expedition "The last two degrees," of the Kazakh Geographic Society. Now we are at 32 kilometers from the South Pole. The last days we walked 20 kilometers on a daily basis, which was not easy. Today we decided to go for one day remaining to the Pole 32 kilometers.

Most likely, the New Year for Moscow, we will meet on the road. What, in general, it is quite original. I think that at the time of the New Year for Moscow, we will be 12 kilometers from the Pole. I hope we will overcome it.

Well, that’s all, and Happy New Year! Hurrah!

— Coordinates of the 9th overnight stop: S 89 5170 W 32 1480

— Altitude: 2770.3 meters.

— Time in transit: 8 hours 7 minutes.

— Distance passed: 21.1 êì.

— Average speed: 2.6 km/h

— Weather: wind, cloudy.

Good afternoon! It is Lyudmila Korobeshko from Antarctica. So, we continue to move to the South Pole, it remains 52 km. And we hope to go through it in two days. Although it is unclear whether this is real or not. Because the distance is certainly big. We want today to pass ... 20 km. And the last day we have  to go "up to the stop."

That is, we are fine. Weather ... not very good. All the time clouds, accordingly, it is difficult to navigate. When there is sun, it is much easier to follow the shade.

Well, all a Happy New Year! We hope in the night from 31 th to 1 st to be at the South Pole. Bye!

The goal of the Pole of Independence expedition team is to achieve the maximum, i.e. to make an effort and reach the Amundsen-Scott station till the New Year! You can trace the progress of the members at following link: http://kazgeo.kz/projects/sp2016/marshrut

Due to this reason Magzhan, Ilyas, Yury, and Daulet take their rest fast, immediately pack the camp, and pass the maximum possible distance, eat fast, and go to sleep. There is no space for sentiments, as there, behind the horizon, the desired georgaphical Southern Pole is awaiting for them, where the flag of our country Kazakhstan will be installed, as it was 5 years ago!

— Coordinates of the 9th overnight stop: S 89 5170 W 32 1480

— Altitude: 2770.3 meters.

— Time in transit: 8 hours 7 minutes.

— Distance passed: 21.1 êì.

— Average speed: 2.6 km/h

— Weather: wind, cloudy.

Such was the order of the day:

6:45. Stand up 7:00. Breakfast. 8:30. Gathering and out of the camp. 13:00. Lunch for 15-20 minutes. 16.00. Another stop for 5 minutes (snack). 18:00. Installation of the camp. 20:00. Dinner. 22:00. End ...