Mawson Peak, atop Big Ben, was first climbed on 25 January 1965 by five members of the Southern Indian Ocean Expedition to Heard Island (sometimes referred to as the "Patanela" expedition). The second ascent was made by five members of the Heard Island Expedition 1983 (sometimes referred to as the "Anaconda" expedition). A helicopter landing was made at the summit by an ANARE team on 21 Dec 1986. An Australian Army team were successful in making the third ascent in 2000.