Antarctica Ultra-Prominent Summits - peaklist.org

Antarctica and Greenland are the two most difficult parts of the world for the measurement of ultra-prominent summits.  SRTM gives us consistent 3-arc second digital elevation data for the world between 60ºN and 60ºS.  For Antarctica we have to rely on a 200 meter spaced DEM, and 1:250,000 or smaller topographic maps, or nothing at all.  There is a possibility that there are a few mountains missing from this list in areas for which digital data was not available.  In particular there is a question about the topography of Alexander Island.  Nonetheless, we are confident that the peaks on this list are all indeed ultras.

minor revision:  May 10, 2007

Mountains were researched from a variety of sources:

Elevations of summits and saddles were checked against the 200m DEM data made available by NSIDC (National Snow and Ice Data Center) Boulder, Colorado. The OSU version (nil sea level) was used.

Locations and names have been checked against available printed topographic maps, published by the Americans, British, Australians, and Russians, as well as the GNIS data for Antarctica (see below).  A variety of supplemental information, including trip reports, and articles appearing in mountaineering journals are referenced below.

There are probably a handful of true ultras missing from this list.  We believe there may be two more ultras lurking on Alexander Island.  Topographic maps are not available for most of the island, and due to the rugged, exposed saddles, the 200m spacing of the DEM is inconclusive.

As always, we would appreciate help with regard to data sources, recent surveys, and name and location corrections.

[1]  Vinson:  Vinson Massif has a widely known elevation of 4897m/16066'.  In December 2004 a team of mountaineers, led by Damien Gildea. conducted a 10 hour continuous Trimble GPS survey of the summit.  The survey, which was processed by Geoscience Australia using the EGS96 geoid model, provides us with a new definitive elevation of 4892m/16050'.  (This confirms Vinson Massif's position at number 8 in World prominence.)
[2]  Erebus is an active volcano, ranking 34th in World Prominence.  A 2004 Trimble differential GPS survey conducted by the Mount Erebus Volcano Observatory, confirms the elevation of 3,794 meters to one meter accuracy.
[3]  Siple:  Although Mt. Siple has probably been climbed, there is no known record.  If it has not been climbed, Siple will certainly be the most prominent unclimbed mountain in the world.
[5]  Francais:  Alternate elevation of 2,758m also found on the internet.
[10]  Miller:  Most prominent unclimbed on list (with possible exception of Siple above.)
[13]  Irving:  Elevation is approximate, and taken from U.S. Navy publication.  The DEM appears to be inaccurate for the area.
[14]  Jackson:  Elevation from American Alpine Journal (1999).  GNIS offers elevation of 3050m.
[18]  Georgia Pobedonosca:  This name was taken from a Russian map and can not be corroborated.  Mountains in the region do not appear in the GNIS, and we assume that this is not a widely recognized name.  The 200m DEM confirmed the elevation of summit and saddle nicely.
[22]  Unknown:  No map information.  Values taken entirely from DEM.
[25]  Kaplan:  Elevation from USGS 1:250,000.
[27]  Friesland:  1700.2m is the result of a highly accurate GPS survey conducted by Damien Gildea (2003).  Data conforms to EGS96 geoid.   1684m was an earlier value.
[31]  Lars Christiansen:  Article about planned first ascent for 2005.

Gildea, Damien: Antarctic Mountaineering Chronology, 1998.  Copies available from the author at dageogil[at] tpgi.com.au
The American Alpine Journal
U.S. Board of Geographic Names Advisory Committee on Antarctica.

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