Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Today we woke to slightly milder winds that allowed us to breakdown our camp at 16,400ft and move Guanaco 3 camp, our
second camp at 18,000' on Aconcagua. All teams above Base Camp are trying to figure if the current weather system will allow for a summit bid. The Team has been updated on the weather pattern that is moving onto the mountain.
From the beginning of the expedition the guides have been stressing taking care of daily items that are in our control like hydration, rest, proper clothing choices and breathing, a lot. At the same time this expedition has been marked by items we have no control over, for example, tall penitentes to navigate, hot temperatures, wind and a deteriorating weather pattern.
We will continue to evaluate our options, in the meantime, It's New Years Eve on Aconcagua. We'll miss the party at base camp, but not the pan flute chiming in during the porter drum circle until 4am.
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
The stars could not have been brighter last night. It was bit chilly but the hot water bottles helped warm us. The frozen ground of morning gave way as the sun rose.
Our high point today was near the Lava Tower at 14,900 ft which crushed everyone's altitude records. From our high point we descended to
Barranco Camp, our camp for the night at 13,030 ft. It might seem counter intuitive to descend when we are trying to climb a mountain but it is actually very helpful for acclimatization.
It's New Year's Eve right now but there's not much party time tonight as we prepare for our next day climbing on Kilimanjaro. I bet we make up for it on safari...
Cheers,
RMI Guide Mark Tucker and team
On The Map
This is RMI Guide Mike King checking in checking in from 16,400 feet on Aconcagua. Today is our
rest day and we are definitely resting in our tents. The winds picked up around dinner last night and have not stopped shaking our tents. The team reported good sleep/rest after our carry to Chopper Camp yesterday and everyone is acclimating well. We are hunkered down for the day; reading and napping. There is rumor of a snack food social in one of the tents around lunch time, I might have to crash that party.
We will keep checking the weather today. Our goal is to move up to Chopper Camp tomorrow during lower winds and then play the waiting game for a summit bid.
The RMI office sent the blog comments to us and everyone enjoyed hearing them read during breakfast yesterday. Thank you for following along and supporting us! Keep it up!
RMI Guide Mike King and Team
On The Map
Everyone slept well last night; the effects of international travel are rapidly disappearing. We woke up this morning at Machame camp to fine weather. We left camp early this morning and experienced great route conditions on our 4.5 hour climb to
Shira Camp. A hot lunch greeted us once we arrived at camp, delicious! Now the team is resting and exploring our camp on the
Shira Plateau. At 12,000 plus feet on Kilimanjaro, there isn't too much in the way of plant life but there are incredible views of the Great Rift Valley and the summit of Kilimanjaro.
The team is in good shape and high spirits. We will keep you posted as we continue to progress up the mountain.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
A new day has dawned! The December 28th
Aconcagua team has come together in Mendoza! Yesterday evening the team enjoyed a great Argentine dinner...yum. This morning it's business, business, business as we secure our permits, pay our climbing fee, and do some last minute shopping. The team is ready and set to go. Next stop...Penitentes!!
RMI Guides
JJ Justman and
Pepper Dee
Call it Camp 2 while your on the mountain and you will get a curious look from the locals, but call it
Chopper Camp or Guanaco 3 and they will smile. The team woke this morning and carried food and equipment to Guanaco 3 (our Camp 2). Some of our legs felt a bit heavy from the move yesterday but we made it.
As we turned the corner at Ameghino Col the winds increased and we took in stellar views of La Mano, Mercedario and other 6000 m. peaks in the San Juan Province.
We are back in Camp 1 looking forward to a rest day on Wednesday. Weather and high winds are rolling in, good night from our cozy tents at 16,400 ft.
RMI Guide Mike King and team
On The Map
The search for the missing bag ended late last night. The bag finally caught a flight from the Netherlands to Tanzania and was returned to its proper owner.
This morning after a delicious breakfast, the team and all of our gear made the drive from the DikDik Hotel to the Machame Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park at 5,900 ft. After registering with the Park, we spent five hours on the trail enjoying great weather and trail conditions. Thanks to our local staff a fine camp was in place when we arrived at 9,890 ft
Machame Camp, our first camp on the mountain. Our team did a nice job by the team getting to our first camp in good time and with fine technique. Everyone is doing well. It is time for
dinner. We will check in again tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
After two days and 9,000 miles of travel the team is assembled in Tanzania. We are still waiting for a bag to arrive. The bag missed its connection in the Netherlands due to poor weather but we are hopeful it will arrive tonight. Thankfully the weather is great in here and the team is excited to start climbing
Kilimanjaro tomorrow!
We will keep you posted as we continue our adventure.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
This is RMI Guide
Mike King and the Team checking in from
Camp 1, 16,400 ft! We had slightly lighter packs then our carry day but still hot temperatures radiating off the snow fields. After 4 nights at 14,000 the team cruised up to Camp in good form.
The climbers are enjoying some rest time in the warm tents and organizing their gear for our carry to Chopper Camp tomorrow.
These climbers bring a lot of different mountaineering and climbing experience to the team and watching them pitch camp today makes a guide team proud.
Thanks for following along.
On The Map
Not a whole lot to report during our rest day at
Plaza Argentina, which is indicative of a successful and relaxing day after yesterday's carry to Camp 1.
After a good breakfast the Team took advantage of washing clothes for the trek out and really enjoyable showers offered by one of the logistic companies here.
We could continue to delay our ascent with all the amenities of base camp, but will pack up our gear and move up to Camp 1 at 16,400ft.
That's all from Plaza Argentina
RMI Guide Mike King
Mike, praying you get to stand on the top! All good things in 2016! Love from all the Isaacsons
Posted by: Carol Isaacson on 1/1/2016 at 9:54 am
Happy New Year Michael! Keeping my fingers crossed the weather gets better. Stay strong! Thinking of you everyday . Love, Mom
Posted by: Lisa Hughes on 1/1/2016 at 5:40 am
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