When one thinks of Antarctica, what usually springs to mind are icebergs, penguins and freezing cold weather, not mountains. But there are in fact a number of notable mountain ranges in Antarctica.
On this page we look at the main ranges in Antarctica, including the Transantarctic Mountains, the Antarctandes and the Sentinel Range. We also look at some of the most iconic mountain peaks on the continent, including the iconic Mount Vinson.
Antarctica Mountain Ranges
Antarctica is dominated by three major mountain range systems.
The first is the Antarctandes, aka the Antarctic Peninsula Cordillera, which runs the full length of the Antarctic Peninsula in what's known as Graham and Palmer Land (see map below).
Further to the south of the Antarctandes are the Ellsworth Mountains, home to the Sentinel Range and the highest peaks on the Antarctic continent.
The third major range is called the Transantarctic Mountains, which runs north to south and splits the continent into East and West Antarctica.
Transantarctic Mountains
The Transantarctic Mountains run the full length of western Antarctica, dividing the continent into East and West.
Running 3,500km in length, the mountains are sub-divided into a number of ranges, many of which are named after Queens - Maud, Alexandra, Elizabeth.
The mountains were first sighted by James Clark Ross in 1841, and first crossed during the 1901-1904 British National Antarctic Expedition. The highest peak in the Transantarctic Mountains is Mount Kirkpatrick (4,528 m / 14,856 ft)
Sentinel Range
The Sentinel Range is part of the Ellsworth Mountains in Antarctica, and is home to some of the continents highest peaks, including the Vinson Massif where Mount Vinson, Antarctica's highest mountain, is situated.
Other major mountains in the range include Mount Tyree (4,852m), Clinch Peak (4,841m) and Corbet Peak (4,822m).
The Sentinel Range can be seen just south-west of the Ronne Ice Shelf in the image above.
Mountain Ranges in Antarctica
Range | Parent Range | Highest Point |
|---|---|---|
Transantarctic Mountains | None | Mount Kirkpatrick (4,528m) |
Ellsworth Mountains | None | Mount Vinson (4,892m) |
Sentinel Range | Ellsworth Mountains | Mount Vinson (4,892m) |
Heritage Range | Ellsworth Mountains | Unknown |
Queen Maud Mountains | Transantarctic Mountains | Mount Kaplan (4,230m) |
Tangra Mountains | Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica | Mount Friesland (1,700m) |
Queen Alexandra Range | Transantarctic Mountains | Mount Kirkpatrick (4,528m) |
Queen Elizabeth Range | Transantarctic Mountains | Mount Markham (4,350m) |
Admiralty Mountains | Transantarctic Mountains | Mount Minto (4,165m) |
Royal Society Range | Transantarctic Mountains | Mount Lister (4,025m) |
Notable Antarctic Mountains
Most of Antarctica's notable mountains are found in the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains.
Here are ones that are frequently on explorer's climb lists:
Mount Vinson
Mount Vinson 4,892m / 16,050 ft is the highest mountain in Antarctica. It is part of the Vinson Massif's summit plateau in the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains.
Vinson was first climbed in 1966 by an American team led by Nicholas Clinch.
Vinson is part of the 7 Summits circuit and has therefore been climbed relatively frequently given it's remote location. It is estimated that at least 1,600 people have climbed Mount Vinson.
Mount Tyree
Mount Tyree (4,852 m / 15,919 ft) is the second highest mountain in Antarctica. The mountain was first summited in 1967, and has since then only been successfully climbed a handful of times.
Mount Gardener
Mount Gardener (4,587 m / 15,050 ft) is situated in the Ellsworth Mountains of the Sentinel Range. The mountain has been climbed a number of times.
Mount Shinn
Mount Shinn (4,661 m / 15,292 ft) is also situated in the Ellsworth Mountains of the Sentinel Range. Mount Shinn is the third highest mountain in Antarctica and part of the Third Seven Summits.
Highest Mountains in Antarctica
Below are some of the highest mountains in Antarctica.
The list excludes some of the Sentinel Range peaks that form part of the ice-covered Vinson Plateau.
Many of these peaks are in the 4,600m-4,850m range, for example: Clinch Peak (4,841m), Corbet Peak (4,822m), Schoening Peak (4,743m), Hollister Peak (4,729m) and Príncipe de Asturias Peak (4,680m).
Mountain | Height | Range |
|---|---|---|
Mount Vinson | 4,892 m / 16,050 ft | Part of the Vinson Massif, which lies in the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains |
Mount Tyree | 4,852 m / 15,919 ft | Sentinel Range |
Mount Shinn | 4,661 m / 15,292 ft | Sentinel Range |
Mount Gardener | 4,587 m / 15,050 ft | Sentinel Range |
Mount Kirkpatrick | 4,528 m / 14,856 ft | Queen Alexandra Range |
Mount Elizabeth | 4,480 m / 14,700 ft | Queen Alexandra Range |
Mount Rutford | 4,477 m / 14,688 ft | Sentinel Range |
Mount Markham | 4,350 m / 14,271 ft | Queen Elizabeth Range |
Mount Sidley | 4,285 m / 14,058 ft | Executive Committee Range |
Mount Bentley | 4,245m / 13,927 ft | Sentinel Range |
References: British Antarctic Survey
Is there any mountain with Rockerfeller or Rothschild name in Anartica?
Hi Dena, not what I’m aware of.
Mark, can you recommend any tour company for hiking in the Antarctica and climbing one of the mountains, maybe Mount Vinson?
It must be breath taking!!
Or can you recommend best part of Antarctica to trek?
Hi Channie, there are only commercial operations to climb Mount Vinson in Antarctica. It’a a big logistical undertaking and very expensive. Companies that offer it include Jagged Globe, Adventure Consultants, Mountain Madness and Alpine Ascents.