Aconcagua Expedition: Team Takes a Rest Day at Plaza Argentina
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Raymond Holt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
It’s rest day here. The last day at Plaza Argentina Basecamp before we assail the defenses of the Sentinel of Stone, Aconcagua. Little left to do. Everything in our possession either comes with us or goes to Mulas. Eat, rest, see the doc, stretch our legs. Wait. As I sit here in anticipation, I am struck by a simple fact: There is no control on the mountain.
I’d love to tell you that there is control on the mountain, but there are only degrees of influence and occasionally getting what we intended. But control? El no existe.
I’d love to say we control our actions, but if we had control of our actions we’d simply sprint up the mountain to the summit. If we had control we’d never bend or slacken to lack of oxygen, muscular fatigue, or the dangerous effects of high altitude sickness.
I’d love to say we control our thoughts on the mountain, but if we had control of our thoughts on the mountain we’d never doubt ourselves, never experience the effects of low oxygen on our thinking skills, never need checklists, never need an encouraging word from another to keep us focused on the task at hand.
I’d love to tell you we control our emotions on the mountain, but if we controlled our emotions we’d never fear failure. It wouldn’t hurt to miss our mark. We wouldn’t experience angst watching a fellow climber getting airlifted off the mountain via helicopter. Our confidence would never falter no matter how much snow, ice, wind, or elevation Aconcagua throws at us.
Control is not a concept that exists on the mountain. There is only influence. And our lack of control is not a problem. In fact, our lack of control is an essential part of the challenge. The unknown, the lack of control, the formidable defenses of the mountain, are precisely why the challenge of Aconcagua is so tantalizing and coveted.
Aconcagua, sacred mountain, Sentinel of Stone, Centinela de Piedra, what defenses will you throw at us? What toll will you ask? What price will you require us to pay?
Ask what you will, Aconcagua, despite our lack of control, we are prepared to do what we can.
We are ready to climb with a great plan, the best damn guides a crew could hope for, and tremendous support staff.
We have trained our asses off to make your summit, and we will fight fatigue with a tenacious spirit and love for the challenge you present.
We will find a way to replace momentary doubt with the confidence that we have an indomitable will to put one foot in front of the other again and again and again.
Most of all, we will climb with joy in our hearts from all the support we share in this group, and the tremendous sum of support we have from home. We are ready to pick each other up and find a way no matter what defenses you present to us.
Are you ready, Centinela? Here we come.
RMI Climber Jared Wood
Comments (2)
Jared, just a great reminder on the mountain experience. Very inspiring and well said. All that training and your determination will pay off. You got this and RMI such a great team!
Barry
Posted by: Barry Milne on
Well said. Love you and so proud of you all. We travel with you in spirit on your amazing adventure.
Posted by: Kate Freeman on