Vinson Massif

Vinson Massif is the highest mountain of Antarctica. It is in the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains. The massif is about 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) from the South Pole. It is about 21 km (13 mi) long and 13 km (8.1 mi) wide.^[4] At 4,892 metres (16,050 ft) the highest point is Mount Vinson. It was named in 2006 after Carl Vinson, long-time member of the U.S. Congress from the state of Georgia.^[5]

Vinson Massif
NASA image of Vinson Massif from space
Highest point
Elevation	4,892 m (16,050 ft)[1]
Prominence	4,892 m (16,050 ft)[2] Ranked 8th
Isolation	4,911 km (3,052 mi)
Listing	Seven summits Ultra
Coordinates	78°31′31.74″S 85°37′1.73″W / 78.5254833°S 85.6171472°W / -78.5254833; -85.6171472[3]
Geography
Location	Antarctica
Parent range	Sentinel Range
Climbing
First ascent	1966 by Nicholas Clinch and party
Easiest route	snow/ice climb

Vinson Massif was first seen in 1958 and first climbed in 1966.

Though the yearly snowfall on Vinson is low, high winds can cause base camp accumulations up to 46 centimetres (18 in) in a year. During the summer season, November through January, there are 24 hours of sunlight. The average temperature during these months is −30 °C (−20 °F).