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Posts for Aconcagua from 01/2011

Aconcagua:  Rest Day at Camp 1

Posted by: | January 17, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200

Today is a much deserved rest day, after yesterday’s trip to Guanacos Camp (Camp 2) at 18,000’. The team slept well despite last night’s wind, which wasn’t quite as strong as the night before but was still strong enough to keep the tents flapping and creaking throughout the night. We woke this morning to more beautiful azure skies and golden sun, which quickly warmed the tents and our spirits. We had an impromptu team meeting during our breakfast of oatmeal and cocoa to discuss the upcoming legs of the climb, and everyone is ready to keep moving towards the top! We’re spending the remainder of today indulging in delicious lunch foods and conserving energy for tomorrow’s move to Camp 2.

Today’s stoke meter remains high, with an average of 8. Stay tuned for more details as we move higher on the mountain. Cheers!

RMI Guide Gabriel Barral and the Aconcagua Team

 

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Aconcagua: Carry to Camp 2

Posted by: | January 16, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'

Weather forecast was right. Winds picked up last night and didn’t slow down until 8 am this morning. We estimate that the wind speed was a steady 30 mph and gusts of 50 mph. The good news is that besides a few cut guidelines, our tents stayed in place with no damage. Nobody slept that much so this morning our stoke score descended a few points. Once the wind slowed down we had a late breakfast and packed for the carry to Camp 2. The first hour and a half we walked uphill on a steep trail up the col Aconcagua-Ameghino (17,500’). Once we got to the west side of the col we were exposed to the cold wind that was still blowing on that side of the mountain. It took us 2 more hours to reach Camp 2. The descent to Camp 1 was very quick, just 1:10hrs.

As I write this Garrett is cooking dinner, which smells great, so our stoke score will get to 8 points! Hot drinks are ready so we will be sending a new dispatch tomorrow during our well deserved rest day at Camp 1.

Gabi and the RMI Aconcagua expedition

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Aconcagua: RMI Team checks in from Camp 1

Posted by: | January 15, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'

This is Gabi and the RMI Aconcagua expedition checking in from Camp 1.

This morning we left the comfort of Aconcagua Basecamp and started to head up at 10am. The team did a great job climbing today, it took us 4 1/2 hours to reach the camp. We enjoyed another sunny day. The cold winds on the Andes started to pick up, not too strong yet, but forecast is calling for 75 mph at the top for tomorrow. We will see how hard is blowing here tomorrow morning and we will decide if we do the carry to Camp 2. Our plans B and C for tomorrow are to carry just to the col between Aconcagua and Ameghino (half way to camp 2) or we’ll use one of the weather days if winds are extremely strong. We’ll be sending dispatches from the new comfort of Camp 1.
I am passing the keyboard to Garrett, and he will give you the score of the stoke meter.

By popular request we are instituting a daily stoke meter, to share with the world the level of excitement the team is currently feeling. We’ll be using a numeric scale that corresponds to a specific level of stoke, defined as follows: 0-2= no stoke. 3-5= semi-stoke. 6-8= stoked. 9-10= TOTALLY STOKED! Today’s stoke meter is a healthy 6, which is pretty nice after the climb.

Stay tuned for more updates from the team!
RMI Guides Gabriel Barral and Garrett Stevens

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Aconcagua: RMI Team Checks in from Basecamp

Posted by: | January 14, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'

A bright, sunny, warm day lulled everyone to the cook tent for books, card games, and group crossword puzzles on our rest day. We slowly worked to organize gear that will stay in Basecamp, and that which will move up with us tomorrow to Camp 1. Everyone is excited to leave the unmistakable scent of mules behind and to begin the ascent of the upper mountain. We’ll be up early tomorrow to break camp, eat breakfast, and work our way to Camp 1, most likely next to the Norwegian and French teams that we’ve climbed next to thus far.
We’ll have more to report tomorrow!
Cheers,
RMI Guide Gabriel Barral

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Aconcagua: Carry to Camp 1

Posted by: | January 13, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'

The group woke for the third morning under the shadows of Ameghino and our objective, Cerro Aconcagua. The skies were a brilliant blue, and excitement ran high in the group over breakfast as everyone prepared for the day’s carry to Camp 1 (16,350’). Group loads of food were doled out, and the group took up the slow, but steady pace that will be our mantra for the rest of the climb.

It took us 4 1/2 hours to reach Camp 1. We took a nice 45 minute rest there and then we headed down to basecamp arriving by 5:00 pm. The descent took us less than half of our ascent time. Route conditions between basecamp and Camp 1 were very nice compared with what I have experienced in the last 10 years.

Tomorrow we will take one more rest day with the relative comforts of basecamp, before our move to Camp 1. We’ve received some of the posts left on the blog, and we are all grateful for your well-wishes.

Signing off,
Gabriel Barral and the RMI Aconcagua expedition

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Aconcagua: Rest Day at Basecamp

Posted by: | January 12, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'

After yesterday’s trip up to Basecamp, the team is enjoying a much-deserved rest day today. While most of us were woken by the ‘whop whop whop’ of a helicopter as it flew in with a load of supplies, others had already been up due to the cacophony of snores throughout camp. Warm, sunny skies greeted us for our breakfast of eggs with cheese, coffee and juice. The next order of business was a trip to the medical shelter for a quick check with the doctors to make sure everyone was acclimatizing well for our push further up the mountain. Everyone passed with flying colors.  The afternoon ahead looks to be filled with eating, drinking, and rounds of backgammon. We will be making our first carry to Camp 1 tomorrow and are hoping for the forecasted weather of sun and light winds. Until tomorrow,

The RMI Aconcagua Expedition

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Aconcagua: At Plaza Argentina Basecamp

Posted by: | January 11, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'

Hi All!

The Aconcagua climb is checking in excited to say that we have arrived at our basecamp at Plaza Argentina. The team got an early start so that we could have some help from our mules in crossing the Rio de Vacas, just outside of camp.  Over the course of the 3,200’ to basecamp, we left tracks for a group of our francophone friends through the rolling hills above the chasm of the Rio Relinchos. The bright white of fresh snow on Ameghino and Aconcagua contrasted with our arid surroundings, and a brilliant blue sky made for spectacular photographs and high spirits.

We arrived in the Plaza Argentina to a bodaciously bountiful reception of salami, cheese, olives, and cake from our outfitter. The crew is resting and beginning to acclimate. On tap for tomorrow: our first rest day of the trip! Everyone is well and sends their best.

Signing off
-The RMI Aconcagua Expedition

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Aconcagua: Day 2 of the Approach, Casa de Piedra

Posted by: | January 10, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 10,600'

Greetings from Casa de Piedra, at 10,600’ in the Vacas valley.

We woke this morning to clear blue skies and cool temperatures after yesterday’s rain. The cloudless day lifted our spirits and dried our gear as we had a delicious breakfast of eggs with cheese & peppers, fresh oranges, and hot chocolate. We packed our gear for the mules and loaded up our day packs for the trek from Leñas to Casa de Piedra, and headed up the valley.

The sunny skies kept us warm as we passed guanacos and liebres (Argentine jackrabbits), and the team strolled into camp feeling strong and excited for the challenges ahead. While the wind has picked up since our arrival, we’re anticipating another beautiful day tomorrow on our way to Basecamp at 13,800’. It will be an early night tonight and an early morning tomorrow, but the stoke is high and we feel good about what lies ahead. We’ll check in tomorrow - until then, keep sending the positive vibes!

Cheers,
Garrett and the RMI Aconcagua Expedition

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Aconcagua: Checking in from Pampa de Leñas

Posted by: | January 09, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,200'

Hi there,

This is Gabi and the RMI Aconcagua team checking in from Pampa de Leñas (9,200’).

We had a great hike today. We started at Punta de Vacas (7,900’) and walked for almost five hours. It was an 8.7 mile hike and the group did a great job keeping a nice and steady pace. During the hike we experienced moments of sunny and cloudy skies, and some showers. Right after we arrived in camp, it started to rain steady for one hour, something that’s pretty unusual around here. This weather was predicted by the forecast and the good news is that it is predicting a sunny day for tomorrow. Perfect for our hike up to Casa de Piedra (Rock house).

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Aconcagua: Team Departs Mendoza

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer | January 09, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua

Hi all!  RMI’s Aconcagua expedition checking in.

We left Mendoza yesterday and drove through the foothills of the Andes to reach our final staging area at Los Penitentes.  The bright green of the vineyards gave way to steep rocky faces as we wound up the valley of the Mendoza river. We were finally rewarded with fleeting views of Tupengato, the 6500 meter volcano on the Chilean border.

We spent yesterday packing for the mules, some loads to go straight to Aconcagua Basecamp, and some to follow us on our approach.  We woke this morning excited to get our climb underway! We will load the shuttle for the trail head soon, and our climb will begin officially.  We’ll be in touch soon.

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