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Posts for Aconcagua from 01/2013

Aconcagua: Van Deventer & Team Resting at Camp 2

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Leon Davis, Mike King | January 31, 2013
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000

Hey all,

We had a fabulous rest day at Camp 2 today. We went for a short walk to look at the route above us, ate, and napped. We did get a new forecast today, and with the new info, we’ve decided to rest tomorrow again at Camp 2, then move up Saturday to summit Sunday. This sets us up better for winds, and Camp 2 is a great place to acclimate and get strong. So tomorrow: Groundhog Day! We’ll be in touch soon.

Cheers,

The Aconcagua crew

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Aconcagua: Van Deventer & Team Move to Camp 2

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Leon Davis, Mike King | January 30, 2013
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'

We made the jump! Camp One was old news and folks were sick of the same old scenery, so we decided to move to Camp Two at 18,000’ today. We had beautiful climbing conditions: a light breeze and sunshine, and arrived at camp to find it mostly empty. We got our pick of tent sites before several groups rolled in after us.

Because RMI Guide JJ Justman’s team was kind enough to leave us a cache of food and fuel at Camp 3, we have decided not to carry tomorrow, but to rest instead. That sets us up to potentially move to Camp 3 on Friday, and potentially summit on Saturday. There are a lot of ifs in that sentence, and we have to remain flexible up here, but we have our fingers crossed. We’ll keep you updated.

Cheers,

RMI Guides Pete, Leon, Mike, and the crew

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Aconcagua: Van Deventer & Team Good Day for Rest

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Leon Davis, Mike King | January 29, 2013
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'

Just as planned, we spent today lounging at Camp 1. Snow plumes off of the col above us indicated high winds this morning, and made us glad we had gotten our carry out of the way yesterday. Otherwise, the sky was clear, and the sun we had been missing for the last couple days made things pleasantly warm. Today was a day for recovery, organizing for tomorrow, and eating all of the extra lunch food we could. Tomorrow will be our move to Camp 2 (18,000 ft)! We’ll check from there.

Cheers,
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer and the RMI Aconcagua team

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Aconcagua: Van Deventer & Team Carry to Camp 2

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Leon Davis, Mike King | January 28, 2013
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'

Last night was a windy one, though when we woke we realized that it sounded much worse inside the tents than it was outside. A couple centimeters of new snow fell overnight freshening up our surroundings, but it was quickly transported by the wind with much of it ending up in the vestibules of our tents. With some sun above and winds not too bad, we decided to make our carry to Camp 2 to cache food and personal gear. As we hoped, the winds stayed relatively light, and we had a pleasant climb. Throughout this climb, we have been just behind a large crowd, so that we hear rumors of camps being full, but arrive to find them deserted. It appeared today that everyone had just vacated Camp 2 for high camp. This works in our favor as we don’t have to fight for tent sites.

As we began our descent, the winds strengthened, with several strong gusts. We were all happy to get back to the tents and crawl into fluffy sleeping bags for the afternoon to recover from yet another big effort. With a great meal of tortellini sticking to our ribs, everyone is psyched for the scheduled rest day tomorrow.

Cheers,

Aconcagua Campo Uno residents

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Aconcagua: Van Deventer & Team Move to Camp 1

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Leon Davis, Mike King | January 27, 2013
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'

We made the move to Aconcagua Camp 1! We’re now resting in our tents at 16800’ or so. The group did great and climbed strong. When we woke, there were clouds over the summit, and towards the end of our first stretch, a sudden snow squall blew threw, sending us scrambling for our hard shells. For the next couple of hours, sun alternated with clouds, making it hard to choose the correct layers. Just as we got ready for the last hard climb up a scree hill to camp, the snow set in in earnest. The group did great getting camp set quickly so everyone could get into shelter. We’re settled in for the night now, and our hope is to wake to nice weather so that we can bump a cache of food and gear to Camp 2 tomorrow. Wish us luck!

RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer and crew

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Aconcagua: Van Deventer & Team Rest Day at Basecamp

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Leon Davis, Mike King | January 26, 2013
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'

It’s been a lazy day here at Plaza Argentina, which was exactly what the doctor ordered after the group’s big effort yesterday. We woke late, cooked up a big batch of crêpes stuffed with bacon, fried apples, and dulce de leche for brunch. A few hours later, after books, more jokes, and a card game, we fried up some croque monsieur (sense the French food theme today?), and then went for a nice hour-long stroll up towards Ibañez,  a sub peak outside of Basecamp. As hard as it can be to motivate for a hike after a day like yesterday, it really does aid and speed recovery. Our gear that will stay at Basecamp is sorted, and we are very ready for our move to Camp 1 tomorrow! Just one more delicious Argentine meal first…

Hasta luego,

RMI Guides Pete, Leon, Mike, and the team

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Aconcagua Expedition: Team checks in from Basecamp

Posted by: Leon Davis, Mike King, Pete Van Deventer | January 25, 2013
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'

Today the group woke to a cold and snow covered base camp. In preparation of our carry to Camp 1 the team received their loads yesterday. We started walking after breakfast and hot drinks. Our goal today was to cache our food and equipment for the upper mountain, while climbing higher then descending to help acclimate. Climbing through loose scree with heavy packs is always an eye opener for what lies ahead. The team climbed strong and enjoyed a blue sky with light winds.  We spent an hour at 16,000+ before returning down to Aconcagua Basecamp as an evening storm approached. There is a day off tomorrow, which the entire team is looking forward to.

Cheers

RMI Guide Mike King and crew

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Aconcagua: Van Deventer & Team Rest Day at Base Camp

Posted by: Mike King, Pete Van Deventer, Leon Davis | January 24, 2013
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'

Despite being a rest day, today has flown by for the group. We were able to sleep in a bit, but most were woken at 7:30 to the park helicopter hovering low over camp, picking up barrels in a sling to be flown off the mountain. We took a leisurely breakfast of burritos with fresh veggies, bacon, cheese, and eggs, and then headed to the medical building for our obligatory check-up. Everyone passed with flying colors. Then it was time for gear sorting for our carry to Camp 1 tomorrow. This often takes longer than expected as everyone hemmed and hawed over how much lunch food and other items to bring up. To this point, we have been spoiled with the mules carrying most of our kit. From here up though, anything we bring up, we will carry down.

Sorting finished, everyone took a siesta, eating lunch, taking naps, playing cards, and reciting Chuck Norris jokes. Despite a forecast of clear weather for the foreseeable future, the clouds built this afternoon, and as we sit, it is snowing gently at Basecamp.

We’ll have more news tomorrow when we are back from our carry. Ciao.

RMI Guides Mike King, Pete Van Deventer, Leon Davis, and the team

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Aconcagua: Van Deventer & Team Settling in at Base Camp

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Leon Davis, Mike King | January 23, 2013
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'

We made it to our base camp at Plaza Argentina! We got an early start this morning in order to take advantage of the muleteers offer to ferry us across the Vacas River. For some, it was their first time riding a mule, and it was a much more pleasant start to the morning than wading the four frosty channels would have been.

It’s a pleasant walk up the canyon of the Relinchos River, and before we knew it, we were walking into Base Camp to be greeted with juice and fresh melon from our excellent outfitter, Grajales. They cooked a wonderful dinner for us tonight and will handle our meals for our stay at Base Camp.

On tap for tomorrow is a well deserved rest day. We’ll use the time to sort gear for the carry to Camp 1 the following day. Before all that though: a big breakfast of breakfast burritos.

Hasta luego.

RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer and the RMI Aconcagua team

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Aconcagua: Van Deventer & Team Reach Casa de Piedras

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Leon Davis, Mike King | January 22, 2013
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Aconcagua
Elevation: 10,550'

Hola from Casa de Piedras! Today’s weather was a total contrast to yesterday’s, as we wound our way further up the Vacas Valley. We woke this morning to clear skies that turned to sun as it cleared the canyon walls. It made for a pleasant walk as we covered the nine miles or so from camp last night. A light breeze helped to keep things from getting too hot.

The trail crosses the river over a small foot bridge immediately out of camp. Once on the opposite bank, it alternates between following the river bank, and rising over a chain of small bluffs. Casa de Piedras is located at the mouth of the Relinchos Valley and river. Tomorrow we will cross the Vacas, and leave this valley behind as we ascend the Relinchos to base camp at 14,000 feet. Everyone is in great spirits (it’s amazing the power that big orb in the sky has) and sends their best. Tomorrow we’ll touch base from Plaza Argentina!

Cheers,

RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer and Team

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