Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Aconcagua: Stevens & Team Carry to 18,000’

January 6, 2014

Posted by: Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,200'

When you think about mountain climbing, it can generally conjure up images of folks heading up and out in the predawn hours, headlamps shining as they make their way higher. While we'll get to experience that later in the trip, today's mission was to get our luggage staged at chopper camp, roughly 18,000' on Aconcagua. We woke to more clear blue skies and absolutely still air. This rare combination on Aconcagua is something to savor, which we did as we departed camp at the civilized hour of 9 am and made our way up and over Ameghino Col and around towards Camp 2. In very short order the team pulled into camp with our kits, got the gear stashed, and headed back to the comfort of our tents at Camp 1. We are currently sitting inside, trying to avoid the intense UV that is beating down out there. This afternoon is the start of a nice long rest period for us, as we will be chilling here for the remainder of today and all of tomorrow. We'll check back in later! RMI Guide Garrett Stevens

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Bill and Team! Yahoo… enjoy resting and relaxing as you trek downward. So looking forward to seeing you on January 23rd Bill…breakfast is my treat! D

Posted by: Dav'ne on 1/7/2014 at 8:46 am

Enjoy your day resting. Take lots of pictures.

Posted by: Martha on 1/7/2014 at 4:17 am

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Aconcagua: Beren & Team Descend to Plaza Argentina

January 5, 2014

Posted by: Jake Beren, Mike King, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Waking once the sun began to warm the tents was a welcome treat at 19,600 feet. Having that last cup of coffee in the rarified air of high camp before packing up and starting the beautiful and lengthy descent really let the last few weeks settle in. We have climbed on the highest mountain outside of Asia and now turn the skiff towards home. It is this point of the trip where we get to see how far out we've gone because there is no more out to go, just back. Retracing our steps back home will take a few days and is a wonderful way to let this adventure sink in. See you all soon! RMI Guide Jake Beren

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To Bill and the team - what an amazing accomplishment! This is something to remember for the rest of your lives..Congratulations and safe travels onward..
Carol (Rita, and Bill)

Posted by: Carol on 1/6/2014 at 12:07 pm

Great job, to the team and to my friend Monica. I can’t begin to understand how amazing that accomplishment must feel. Have a great trek down the mountain and stay safe! Ivory

Posted by: Ivory on 1/6/2014 at 11:33 am

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Aconcagua: Stevens & Team Settled in at Camp 1

January 5, 2014

Posted by: Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,450'

Today the team awoke to blue skies and calm winds for our last basecamp breakfast before we begin to ascend the upper slopes of Aconcagua. After some coffee and a few last minute preparations we were on our way to a night at 16,450'. As we set off up the moraine with the sun at our backs everything seemed perfect. The team made short work of the day and before too long we were on the steep scree just before Camp 1. Once we arrived and everyone had enjoyed a snack, it was back to work establishing our camp for the next three days. Now after a solid tortellini meal we are all stuffed into our -30 degree sleeping bags awaiting the beautiful stars of the Southern Hemisphere. Tomorrow we carry a load of gear to over 18,000' and the team is ready for it. You'll here from us soon! RMI Guides Garrett, Ben, and Nick

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Keep up the great work guys. So proud to call you my friend Stefan. Miss your smiling face but know you are having a blast. Stay safe!

Posted by: Martha on 1/6/2014 at 4:31 am

Good job Stefan. Stacy runs the marathon Sunday am. Beat her up the mountain!

Posted by: Skipper on 1/5/2014 at 9:06 pm

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Aconcagua: Beren & Team Recap Summit Day

January 5, 2014

Posted by: Jake Beren, Mike King, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 19,600'

Lying in the tent, legs sore but oddly relaxed, it seems hard to believe that we climbed Aconcagua today. This morning we launched before dawn, making our way higher and higher into the troposphere as the rising sun cast a shadow of our mountain deep into the Andes. Everyone on the team got a chance to test their limits today and I'm proud of everyone's effort. It takes a few weeks to get to where you can try to stand on top and everyone's hard work really paid off with a safe day in the mountains. Good work team and thanks to all the wonderful people back home for their support. RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Good Job Bill Dorn!!!

Posted by: Marshall Woodford on 1/6/2014 at 11:32 am

You guys are great. Thanks to the guides for getting everybody up there. Bill is coming home soon… I guess I have to start cleaning the house again.

Posted by: Norm Vork on 1/5/2014 at 6:51 pm

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Aconcagua: Beren & Team Summit!

January 4, 2014

Posted by: Jake Beren, Mike King, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 22,841'

Greetings from Camp 3 on Aconcagua. Our team just returned after a successful summit bid with some happy and tired faces. We are looking forward to a little bit of dinner and some much needed rest before we start heading down, down, down tomorrow. All is well out here. Thanks for all the good wishes back home and we'll talk to you guys further on down the trail. RMI Guide Jake Beren

Jake Beren calls in after the team's successful summit.

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Bravo! Bravissimo! A glorious day’s work. Rest up and have a safe descent.

Posted by: nsb on 1/5/2014 at 12:01 pm

Monica and team, congratulations on the successful summit!! So happy for you all! Safe descent, see you soon!

Posted by: Leslie M on 1/5/2014 at 11:10 am

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Aconcagua: Stevens & Team Resting and Relaxing at Plaza Argentina

January 4, 2014

Posted by: Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

The goal for today is to get as relaxed as possible here at our base camp. Towards that end, the team has been chilling in our group tent since breakfast, which included oatmeal, cereal, egg/bacon/onion quesadillas, and copious amounts of coffee. There is currently an epic game of Hearts happening, with various members tapping in and out as they get frustrated with picking up the Queen of Spades (David in particular). Tomorrow will be a big day, as we will be moving up towards our next camp at 16,400'. The gear is staged, the crew is ready, and our team dynamic is as strong as one could hope. The weather continues to be gorgeous; light winds and lots of sun here at Plaza Argentina. Here's hoping it holds steady for the next few days! We are sending positive vibes up to Jake Beren and his team, as we believe today is their summit day. Good luck to them...we are looking forward to seeing them as we bump up tomorrow. Until then, stick with us for more details! Cheers, RMI Guides Garrett Stevens, Ben Liken and Nick Brown

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Been following your teams posts, sounds like quite the trip! Happy New Year David!
-Sarah

Posted by: Sarah Williams on 1/5/2014 at 11:54 am

Watching your progress from faraway Frogtown Virginia USA and sending you best wishes for good weather and safe travels!
Mike and Susan Browns

Posted by: Mike Brown on 1/4/2014 at 5:18 pm

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Aconcagua: Stevens & Team Carry to 16,400’

January 3, 2014

Posted by: Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 10,550'

Today was a beautiful day here on Aconcagua, with clear blue skies and lots of sunshine for our carry up to Camp One. We had quite a bit of wind here in base camp last night and were worried that we might be walking up into the teeth of it today, but the weather gods smiled on us instead. We were walking just as the sun came into camp, and were able to make steady progress through the broken and rocky morainal slopes above us. Soon enough we came to the heinous scree slope that guards the bench of Camp One, and the team made short work of the last few hundred feet. We dropped our food, some equipment, and some gas for our launch towards the upper reaches of the mountain, and were headed down soon thereafter. All the luggage is currently awaiting our return, but tomorrow we'll take a hard-earned rest day. The team continues to climb strong, hydrate well, and eat hearty portions, which will pay dividends when we head up higher on this beautiful mountain. Thanks for all the kind words, and keep your fingers crossed for continued good weather! RMI Guides Garrett, Ben, and Nick

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Sorry I have been slacking. Was aiming for a daily hello from home. I missed sorry. Hope you guys are having a great trip. Can’t wait dr you to get back so we can hear all the stories. Happy hiking!

Posted by: Martha on 1/5/2014 at 1:19 pm

Safe climbing as the team gets closer to the summit!

Go team go!

Matilde

Posted by: matilde on 1/4/2014 at 6:14 am

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Aconcagua: Beren & Team Make Their Move to High Camp

January 3, 2014

Posted by: Jake Beren, Mike King, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 19,600'

Greetings from high camp at 19,600 ft! Today we made use of a good forecast and the first break in the wind in recent memory to move up. Now we are in striking distance of the top, getting ready for dinner before an early bedtime. The team again performed well getting here and if this calm weather holds, we will go for the top tomorrow! We've enjoyed everyone's comments and the crew is in great spirits having put forth an impressive effort so far. With any luck we will only head uphill for one more day before starting the long return to Mendoza. Wish us luck! RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Go, Bill, Go. Amazing. Can’t wait to hear all about it!

Posted by: Sylvia Stanley on 1/4/2014 at 7:30 pm

Go for it Bill. Good luck

Posted by: steve on 1/4/2014 at 7:19 pm

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Aconcagua Stevens and Team Rest at Plaza de Argentina

January 2, 2014

Posted by: Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Well, after three days of hard work on the approach to our climb, we are finally taking some deserved time off. This is the first of our "rest days" which we are using to relax, refuel, and acclimatize. The team is loving it. We started the morning with some sleeping in and a leisurely breakfast of loaded egg quesadillas, while watching a few flurries drift off of the upper mountain. After the sun started to heat our base camp weather-port and some digesting had taken place the team prepared their gear for our carry to Camp 1 tomorrow at 16,200'. The packs are heavy but the spirits are high as the mountain looms above. For the rest of the evening the name of the game is chilling.....playing cards, eating snacks, taking in the sights, and trying to guess what our dinner could be by the delicious smell coming from the kitchen. Stay tuned as we continue our ascent tomorrow! RMI Guides, Garret, Ben, and Nick

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Keep on climbing team,

And don’t forget the pics! We will be waiting for it.

The Northeast is covered in a blanked of snow… and is pretty cold in Tampa too.

Matilde

Posted by: Matilde on 1/3/2014 at 7:06 am

Glad to know the climb is going well! Wish I could be there with my bud James Blackwell! I’m living life through you, tub buddy!

Posted by: Dr. Bizzle on 1/3/2014 at 6:48 am

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Aconcagua: Beren and Team Rest Day at Guanacos (Camp 2)

January 2, 2014

Posted by: Jake Beren, Steve Gately, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

Holá from 18,000 ft above the sea! We spent a windy evening up here last night, but so far camp is holding tight. With any luck this weather pattern will relax by tomorrow and we will be in solid shape to move higher! Today we are going to review some crampon and ice axe techniques before lunch and then take a little stroll post meal. Then more resting to be prepared for a few big days coming up. The team is doing great, and now we just need a few good weather days to make our move to Camp 3 and then shoot for the top. For now we wait for the wind to relax and head up when the mountain lets us. RMI Guide Jake Beren & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Just got 15 inches of snow over night. Temps in the low teens. Probably much better where you are.

Scenery looks beautiful up top there. Hope the weather cooperates for a good summit attempt.

Hike well and be safe.

Posted by: Bill Gately on 1/3/2014 at 10:10 am

George,

Glad to hear that all is well. We head to Asheville tomorrow to eat dinner with Barry and the family. After dinner, we are off to a Charlotte hotel to get a little sleep before an early flight to Pasadena. With a little luck, we will have a double celebration on Monday—Your triumphal summit and a BCS trophy with Auburn’s name on it. War Eagle!

Posted by: Carolyn Crandell on 1/2/2014 at 11:26 pm

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Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Aconcagua: Stevens & Team Carry to 18,000’

On The Map

Aconcagua: Beren & Team Descend to Plaza Argentina

On The Map

Aconcagua: Stevens & Team Settled in at Camp 1

On The Map

Aconcagua: Beren & Team Recap Summit Day

On The Map

Aconcagua: Beren & Team Summit!

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Aconcagua: Stevens & Team Resting and Relaxing at Plaza Argentina

On The Map

Aconcagua: Stevens & Team Carry to 16,400’

On The Map

Aconcagua: Beren & Team Make Their Move to High Camp

On The Map

Aconcagua Stevens and Team Rest at Plaza de Argentina

On The Map

Aconcagua: Beren and Team Rest Day at Guanacos (Camp 2)

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