Stuck at home, or close to home, it can still be good to see what is happening on the 7 summits, from looking up at Mt Blanc from Chamonix, to checking out the weather on the South Col of Everest.
There is nothing quite like a streaming webcam to make it more real.
In Antarctica you have some great options, all the way from the sea up to the immense blue ice runway on Union Glacier, with links below.
Two years ago a National Geographic and Rolex supported climbing team led by Pete Athans, installed the worlds’ highest weather stations on Everest. Weather data is now being recorded at the Balcony (8,430 meters) the South Col (7,945 meters), Camp 2 (6,464 meters) and at Base Camp (5,315 meters).
So while Everest teams gather customized weather forecasts from meteorologists like Michael Fagin or Marc De Kayser, the rest of us can simply click to get the weather Live from the South Col.
With temperature, wind speed, barometric pressure and humidity, it’s the first time we now know in real time what is actually happening at very close to the highest point on Earth.
Webcams from the 7 Summits – from Asia, to Africa, to Antarctica
Besides the weather data, there is nothing better than seeing a mountain live. The clouds, the climb, the route, all become real and plans can be made.
As expected, on lower peaks and in more developed countries you will see more from a webcam, and at some points during the climbing season there may be short term viewing options. Some of the 7 summits are devoid of real coverage and most common is a single webcam, or perhaps two, with still frames uploaded at intervals.
Here are a few options for viewing the 7 summits – which I’ll be updating while also welcoming input in the comments below on Webcams I’ve yet to locate.
These links are live now – but this is an area where technology, operators, weather and a high number of variables all play a part. So click as an Explorer would, not with the expectation of an HD live-stream.
Kosciusko – showing the track towards the top from the Thredbo chairlift and also the view from the base of Thredbo ski area. Not bad for checking the ski conditions for your descent as well depending on the season.
Kosciusko – the Snowcam from Thredbo ski area
Carstenz – I’m sure the Freeport Mine has the technology, but I’m not sure they are too eager to share. If you would just like to learn more about our climb with Peter Hillary and his sons George and Alex from our recent climb of Carstenz, you can do that here.
Mont Blanc – ok, we know it isn’t often regarded as a 7 Summit, but as so many of us climb Mont Blanc as well, here is a great camera across at the mountain, and a number of different options from the Alps around Chamonix.
Mont Blanc – from across the Chamonix Valley
Elbrus – it may may not be live updates, but there is a good camera at the top of the Mir Gondola station looking up towards the summit of Elbrus for the southern side of the mountain. Not as high as we would like, but it gives an idea of the overall weather.
Elbrus – Station Mir looking up Elbrus towards summit
Vinson – as one might expect from Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions, they have some of the latest and the best technology. You have a choice of 4 cameras, 2 at Union Glacier which is the gateway to Vinson and the South Pole, one camera out close to the Weddell Sea to monitor incoming cloud, and another at Thiels Corner, halfway from Union Glacier to the South Pole. Perhaps just a bit white at times, but it is Antarctica.
Vinson – 2 cameras at Union Glacier and an overview on their Webcams
Thiels Corner – a lot more ice, halfway from Union Glacier to the South Pole
Kilimanjaro – options from Moshi, Tanzania when it is working, and hourly screen shots closer to the mountain at the aptly named Kilicam. Our expedition report and a 360 summit view is here.
Kilimanjaro – from Moshi, Tanzania
Kilimanjaro – the Kilicam, another view from Moshi from Tusker Trails
Denali – a number of the air taxi services in Talkeetna have webcams – but still 60 miles out from the mountain. The National Park Service has Webcams dotted around the park, but more scenic than useful for climbers.
Denali – Talkeetna Air, looking from Talkeetna towards Denali
There is also an FAA Webcam at Kahiltna Glacier, but links are troublesome, you can reach the page and then a map of Webcams here which may get you there. When we climbed in 2019, the weather was so good we really didn’t need a cam – we could see the mountain all the way from Talkeetna to the summit.
Aconcagua – while the facilities at Plaza de Mulas expand, the webcam that once lived here seems to be out of operation currently – updates welcome if anything comes up during the upcoming climbing season.
Everest – with the high interest levels and cell service right to Base Camp and beyond, hopefully there will be something here in – season. The webcam at the Italian observatory just above Lobuche is currently out of service.
What we would really like to see is a webcam on the South Summit so we can see how many people are in line on the Hillary Step.
I welcome your updates on Webcams and will update that here – this is a rapidly advancing area and a great way to really see and finalize plans for the heights.