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Posts for Aconcagua from 02/2011

Aconcagua: Back in Mendoza

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer | February 17, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua

We wanted to let you all know that we made it to Mendoza! Got to Punta de Vacas around 1pm today, a couple hours in Penitentes, and then the van ride down here.  Headed out shortly for our first big dinner off the mountain! 

Hope all is well and we’ll be in touch.  Ciao.

RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer

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Aconcagua: At Basecamp

Posted by: | February 15, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'

Hey gang, this is Billy checking in with Geoff and Pete here. We’re giving you guys a call from basecamp, Plaza Argentina, after a successful summit attempt yesterday. We spent a good part of the day today walking down from high camp at Plaza Cholera all the way down here to basecamp, just under 14,000 feet. Everybody is a great mood. We enjoyed an awesome meal of mashed potatoes and roasted chicken, courtesy of the great folks at Grajales, our outfitter. Right now we are just getting all of our mule loads prepared for the long walk to the road tomorrow. And should actually take all day tomorrow and a half of the next day before we’re back to civilization. For all those you that are following along, this might be the last you’ll hear of us until we’re back to Mendoza. And thanks for following along. And we’ll talk to you all soon. Ciao.

RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Aconcagua: Summit!

Posted by: | February 14, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 22,841'

Hi everybody, who’s been following along. This is Billy, just checking in, we just completed, our summit day and we were able successfully put six climbers on top of Aconcagua this afternoon. We’re all back at camp safe and sound. And we enjoyed a sunny summit and then the weather kinda came in on our descent. And we are sitting in tents right now and it’s snowing lightly. But pretty much plans from here on out are to pack up and high tail it out- out to basecamp and then straight back to Mendoza. Everyone sends their love to their family members and loved ones, and especially Richard. Richard wanted me to make a point of saying that he loves his wife very much and that she’s his valentine and that he could not have summitted today without her.  And we’ll check in again as things progress and we’re headed back home. All right. Take care. Bye bye.

RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Aconcagua: Team Moves to High Camp

Posted by: | February 13, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'

Hey everybody, it’s Billy checking in for the entire crew. We woke up this morning to beautiful blue sky and calm winds and finally the storm broke for us. So we packed up our stuff and left Chopper Camp. We just moved in here at Camp Cholera and looks like this weather is gonna be holding for us through the evening and tomorrow and that makes tonight our summit attempt so will be getting up pretty early in the morning tomorrow and if all goes according to plan, we’ll be standing on top of the Americas, the summit of Aconcagua. We will give you guys a phone call and check in tomorrow at the end of the day and let you know how things went. Wish us luck.

Talk later. Ciao.

RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Aconcagua:  Another Weather Day

Posted by: | February 12, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'

Howdy gang, we are up here at Chopper Camp.  We are experiencing 30 mph winds, about 30 feet visibility, sometimes less and plenty of blowing snow to boot.  We are starting to feel like we’re in the middle of an Alaskan storm here. A little bit worse cause we’re so close to our objective. 

Me and the guides have been jammin’ reggae and blues in the tent to try to channel some southern or tropical vibes and overcome this lousy storm.  But the forecast actually calls for the squall to blow itself out tonight and if that’s the case we’re going, the whole team will head up tomorrow to Cholera Camp tomorrow. And then may take a crack at the summit on Valentine’s Day. But right now, Pete says the stoke meter is currently at 1 ½, so please send us your happy, positive, and tropical weather vibes, down here in South America.

We miss you all.  Wish us luck.
Ciao

RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Aconcagua: Weather Day

Posted by: | February 11, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'

Today was the first day we’ve been stymied by lousy weather but the forecast looks pretty good!  We’re just stuck in our tents waiting for sunshine and calm winds.  The rest of the crew is taking the weather day quite well.  Depending on tomorrow’s conditions we may move to Cholera Camp (19,600’) in a single carry because the distance is relatively short and the group loads will be light… 
We’ll keep you posted!

Stuck in tents,

RMI Guide Billy Nugent and the crew

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Aconcagua: Move to Camp 2

Posted by: | February 10, 2011
Categories: *Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'

The crew moved up to Chopper Camp.  It’s currently dumping up here, with the forecast calling for 4-6” of accumulation.  Tomorrow’s plans call for a quick carry to Plaza Cholera (high camp) which means we’re getting close to pulling the trigger on our summit assault.  We need some cooperation from the weather but it looks like we’re going to get a good window in the upcoming days! 

Stoke meter is climbing (with the barometer)! 

RMI Guide Billy Nugent and the gang.

On The Map

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Aconcagua:  Resting at Camp 1

Posted by: | February 09, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'

Buen día to all you following along back home!  This fearless (not really) group are chilling at Camp 1 after yesterday’s carry up to the CHOPPER CAMP (pronounced with an ex-governator accent).  The weather is gorgeous this morning; blue skies with all of the surrounding mountains dusted white with yesterday’s snowfall.  The group is acclimatizing very well and is chomping at the bit to move higher. 

Patience is the name of the game now.  The rest and acclimation we get here will make us strong up high! 

Ants-in-our-pants-o-meter: 7.8.

RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Aconcagua:  Carry to Camp 2

Posted by: | February 08, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'

Wulp, we done carried to Camp 2 and let me tell you, this team is climbing STRONG.  We got into a little bit of snow and wind through Ameghino Col but it was nothing we couldn’t handle.  We were just under four hours up to Chopper Camp and around one hour down.  This means we were cruising!
 
And after a dinner of pasta with tomato sauce (w/ fresh sauteéd onions and garlic) and a hot drink we’re nestled back in our tents ready to pass out. 

Stoke meter is up there, maybe 7 or 8!

RMI Guide Billy Nugent & the Aconcagua Team

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Aconcagua: Chilling at Camp 1

Posted by: | February 07, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'

Currently we’re chilling at Camp 1 after today’s move up from basecamp.  We enjoyed perfect weather most of the day today but are seeing a few very minor flurries develop as we settle into camp.  The entire team is relaxing in their tents enjoying a deserved rest while Geoff and myself are attempting to chef up some dinner for the gang.  We’re hoping to get a cache in up at Chopper Camp tomorrow which will serve as our Camp 2. 

All is well!  Talk soon!

RMI Guide Billy Nugent

P.S.
Richard would like all his family and loved ones to know he’s doing well and misses them very much!

On The Map

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