Monte Darwin was for a long time considered as the highest peak in Tierra del Fuego, but that distinction corresponds to a nearby mountain unofficially named Monte Shipton (also somewhat confusingly referred to as Darwin or Agostini-Darwin), which is about 2,580 m (8,460 ft) high and is located at 54°39′33″S 69°35′54″W / 54.65917°S 69.59833°W / -54.65917; -69.59833.

[2][3] Both peaks are best climbed in late December, January, February and March.

A year earlier FitzRoy had named an expanse of water to the southwest of the mountain the Darwin Sound to commemorate Darwin's quick wit and courage in saving them from being marooned when waves from a mass of ice splitting off a glacier threatened their boats.

The mountain is part of Alberto de Agostini National Park.

It is formed of crystalline schists and has massive glaciers down its steep southern slopes.