The early mountaineering history of Antarctica is obviously closely linked to scientific expeditions and exploration. Because early expeditions were made up of scientists, geologists and bold adventurers with little or no mountaineering skills, not much serious mountain climbing was accomplished until the 1960’s. Prior to the mid 60‘s, there are precious few details to be found about climbing expeditions. Most early explorers had enough trouble just negotiating the large drainage glaciers without trying to climb some of the interceding peaks. However, one notable early climb of a major peak took place on Mt. Erebus led by Edgeworth Davis and Douglas Mawson during Shackleton’s 1907-09 Nimrod expedition. Sir Edmund Hilary led a New Zealand expedition to the coastal mountains of North Victoria in the 60’s where several mountains were explored and climbed. Also in the mid 60’s, the National Geographic Society sent an expedition to the Sentinel Range in the Ellsworth mountains. Mountaineering in Antarctica since then has been exclusively accomplished by private expeditions. The continents highest peaks are part of the Sentinal Range and are the most easily and quickly accessible part of the TransAntarctic Mountains. For years now, private companies have sent mountaineering charters from Australia and South America to the Sentinal Range. As a result, some peaks, notably the Vinson Massif, have been climbed by as many as 500 different climbers. However, many very remote and formidable peaks still await their first mountaineers. Modern technological advances will soon allow all unclimbed peaks to be conquered.
Feature: Dave Hahn
Dave Hahn is one of North America's foremost mountaineers and explorers. A Mt. Everest guide, Dave has reached the summit three times in seven attempts, and was one of the team leaders on the expedition that discovered Mallory's body. He was the Basecamp Manager and lead guide at the Vinson Massif in the interior of Antarctica for many years, and has led two successful overland crossings of South Georgia Island while following Shackleton's route. Dave has summited many of the worlds highest peaks including some in Antarctica that had never been climbed before him. While at home in America, he is one of the lead climbing guides at Mt. Rainier, Washington during the summer, and spends much of the winter ski patrolling in Taos, New Mexico.
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