Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Posted by: Nick Scott, James Bealer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Today we rested once again. Our plan had been to move to high camp today, but once again our plans were changed due to the longest stretch of windy weather seen on this mountain in the month of January. Fortunately, the winds are forecasted to drop significantly over the next few days which is lucky for us since we only have the next two days to pull off a summit. Everyone is doing well and adjusting to the altitude perfectly. By the time we pull the trigger on a summit attempt I expect we will be so well acclimatized that we will all sprint to the top of this mountain. All of you at home send us some good vibes and cross your fingers that the winds give the window we need to stand on the top of South America!
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 17.400'
Yesterday we traveled south through the town of Ambato, where we learned what a 50cm burrito looks like. Despite an exact measurement it’s still hard to imagine. Following a comical lunch we drove through the park, Reserva Producción de Fauna Chimborazo, and continued to La Estrella de Chimborazo where we had a quiet night with delicious food and beautiful views of Chimborazo’s grand south face.
We awoke to a foggy morning and continued to relax in preparation for a difficult 24 hours. Some members of the team practiced crevasse rescue on the porch while other’s just chilled out, enjoying the views and some local wildlife.
In the afternoon we made the two hour trek to high camp and are settled in at our highest sleeping altitude - 17,400’. Tonight we will get an alpine start and hope for good weather on our summit attempt!
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
Best of luck for a successful climb and cooperative weather!
Posted by: Karie Seubert on 1/23/2022 at 10:11 am
Climb Strong Team!!! Sending Prayers for Strong Lungs and Legs!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/23/2022 at 3:03 am
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,000'
Today we broke down camp, said goodbye to the lovely Basecamp staff and began our climb to Camp 1 for the final time. The climb was easy as the trail was familiar and the weather was sunshine and light winds. Once we arrived we made quick work of setting up camp and fortifying our tent anchors with rocks due to the strong nightly winds we knew would be coming. After a delicious meal of mountain Pad Thai everyone went back to their tents to try to get some sleep at 16,000 feet. Tomorrow we move to Camp 2!
Pyfer family looking forward to more updates!
Updates from home:
Max crushed it against MC playing defense - Tam team overall got schooled in last quarter.
SI won the Bruce Mahoney trophy after coming back from a 10 point deficit in the fourth quarter to win in OT
Dawg City looking pretty scrappy - in the semi-finals today at Kings Showcase.
49’ers WON!
Miss you. You got this.
Posted by: Susan Lindstrom on 1/23/2022 at 9:28 am
Get it!!!!! Excited for you, praying for you, go WIN!!!!!
Posted by: Location 66 Cheerleaders on 1/22/2022 at 6:27 am
Another rest day for the Aconcagua summit hopefuls. Unlike other more snow covered mountains, there is a lot of down time on Aconcagua. Some love the rest, others tend to go stir crazy with cabin fever. At least today the sun is shining and the wind is light allowing for ample time to breath deep and enjoy the views outside of our tents. The weather trend still looks favourable for a Sunday summit attempt. Hopefully the wind holds long enough for us to tag the top.
Congrats on making it to camp 2! Sounded like a grueling climb. Hoping tomorrow brings good weather for your summit.
Way to Steve and gang
Susan
Posted by: Susan Dietz on 1/22/2022 at 3:28 pm
Enjoying all the updates, keep up the good work and hope the weather is in your favor for the rest of the trip!
Posted by: Anne Morehead on 1/21/2022 at 5:53 pm
Posted by: Alan Davis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
After a much need night of sleep in sheets and a good shower, we woke to the sultry sounds of automobiles, street vendors, university students, and music in the colorful city of Puebla. It always feels like going back in time walking up to buildings and streets built by skilled hands several millennia ago. We grubbed on a good breakfast of mole poblano and cafe con leche, then dispersed to make the most of our day out of synthetic apparel and climbing boots and proudly donned our flip flops with cotton. Some of us toured a world renown ceramic factory while others wandered the bright Zocola after getting a massage to work out the kinks from the previous climb. As usual the colonial hamlet of Puebla did not disappoint, and we found ourselves basking in the glow of a rest day earned.
RMI Guide Alan Davis
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
We have enjoyed our time at Aconcagua Base Camp these last few days. The cooks, porters and all the staff are constantly working to make our stay comfortable and doing it with the biggest smiles imaginable. We are ready to climb higher but will miss being so well taken care of.
We did get a dusting of snow today that made the mountain beautiful. Thankfully the weather forecast is to improve as we climb higher over the next few days.
RMI Guide Walter Hailes
Wow! Gorgeous! Be safe!
Posted by: Tracie L Bush on 1/21/2022 at 1:09 pm
Way to go guys. What an adventure. Please be safe and have lots of fun. Can’t wait to hear about it upon your return.
Posted by: Kathy Pyfer on 1/20/2022 at 5:48 pm
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 13,400'
Last night we lied in bed awaiting an 11pm wakeup for a Cotopaxi summit attempt. But the winds picked up and the roof could be heard shaking and whistling all night. At the sound of my first alarm, myself and the other guides went outside to find high winds and a sideways drizzle. We then went on shifts checking every 30 minutes and hoping for improvement, but to no avail. By 3am we decided to call it and everyone was able to sleep in. The crew was certainly disappointed but still in good spirits. What helped was seeing all the people who did attempt last night return soaked and covered in a layer of half inch ice, having failed to make it to the summit. It was truly a sight to see.
After departing the hut we made the short drive out of the park and are enjoying a wonderful evening at La Cienega, one of the finest haciendas in Ecuador. We took advantage of a sunny afternoon to learn some rope skills and are looking forward to the rest of the evening in this beautiful and historic hacienda.
Thats a bummer the mountain did not give you good weather. But what ever weather you get is always a cool experience!! All the best on your Big mountain Dustin and Kevin!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/21/2022 at 3:38 am
Today was the day! The day we would move from Basecamp straight to Camp 2, or Nido de Condores as it is officially called here. Unfortunately, the wind still did not want to cooperate and the mountain was still going to make us work for every foot of elevation gain. We walked up hill through snow, sleet, grapple, and wind gusts that made us wobble. When the wind came, we put our heads down and persevered making great time to our gear cache at Camp 1. After adding some “training weight” to our packs we turned towards Camp 2, walking into more and more wind and snow. Aconcagua really didn’t want this trip to be an easy one, not that any of them are ever easy. After 5 1/2 hours and 4000 feet of elevation gain we strolled into camp feeling accomplished, but tired and of course very hungry. By the time we put up our tents the wind was giving us a break, but the snow how now doubled its efforts and dropping 6-7 inches of fluffy powder on us in a couple hours. We were all happy to be warm and cozy in our tents watching the snow fall and waiting for dinner to help warm our bellies. Once again, everyone on this team absolutely styled an incredibly difficult day. Arriving in camp smiling and feeling well despite the thin air here at 18,500 feet. Tomorrow is a rest day and hopefully a sunny one at that!
Wednesday, January 19, 2022 - 9:09 pm PT
The team reached the summit of Ixta at 0800 this morning with mostly clear and cold conditions and little to no wind. Recent snowfall from the night prior made for good travel and the route in overall good condition. Alas, we were met with more afternoon clouds and made a muddy dash back on the lower melted trails, beating the precip to our bus escape to Puebla. Will check in tomorrow!
Posted by: Walter Hailes, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 14,500'
Today the weather continued to improve as we awoke to sunny skies and the lightest winds of the trip thus far. We headed uphill for our final carry to Camp 1 to set the stage for our time on the upper mountain. The wind wasn’t done with us yet though as we experienced several “drop you to your knees” gusts on our way up. After making it to Camp 1 and successfully caching our gear we headed back to base camp where we relaxed in the group shelter, swapped stories and enjoyed the beautiful evening alpine glow on the mountains.
RMI Guides Walter Hailes & Jack Delaney
Well done guys. Such a great adventure. I’m living Vicariously. “I can make it two more steps” Wishing you the best.
Posted by: Saxby on 1/20/2022 at 2:27 pm
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Steve and All,
Hope those winds have blown themselves out by now. All the best for submitting!
Posted by: Karen & Rob on 1/23/2022 at 9:38 am
Sending good vibes and all fingers and toes crossed that the winds and weather give you the break you all need and deserve to reach the summit!! Here’s to standing on the top of South America!! XO
Posted by: Coeli Scott on 1/23/2022 at 6:14 am
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