Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE) has just confirmed that the 2020-21 Antarctic season is cancelled because of COVID-19. On the ALE website, co-owner David Rootes wrote that travel restrictions in Chile and rising COVID-19 cases in the gateway city of Punta Arenas largely caused the cancellation.
This news kiboshes any guided or independent ALE clients climbing Vinson or other Antarctic mountains or skiing any South Pole routes. Clients who have already paid up can carry over their bookings to the 2021-22 season.
Other Antarctic experience companies who travel via Cape Town or truly independent travelers (think Mike Horn and his 2017 kite ski crossing) are perhaps the last hope for any Antarctic action this season.
