Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Hello from Aconcagua Basecamp.
Today saw more great weather on our walk from Casa de Piedra up to Plaza Argentina which will serve as a basecamp for the rest of the expedition. A BRISK river crossing first thing in the morning lead to a gorgeous (literally) walk up the Relinchos Valley. For the most part everyone on the team is performing well but some cold-like symptoms seem to be starting their rounds within the group. Hopefully tomorrow's rest day will give us the time we need to kick these colds and continue working our way up.
RMI Guide Billy Nugent and Team
Good morning!
This is Billy checking in from Argentina. All is well and we are en route to Aconcagua Basecamp.
We hit the trail on Tuesday morning with fairly light loads on our back. All of our group gear, tents, fuel and food was sent along to basecamp by mules from our outfitter Grajales Expeditions. We spent our first night on the trail at Pampa de las Lenas at around 9,000'.
Yesterday we broke camp and began the walk to Casa de Piedra at 10,550' where we spent last night. Everyone is doing well and we will be leaving shortly for our final trek into basecamp.
We will check in again soon.
RMI Guide Billy Nugent & Team
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Hola de Argentina...
Well our fearless team assembled in its entirety today to begin our expedition on the mighty mass of stone called Aconcagua. Haha. Pete and myself completed all of the pickups at the airport today in three separate trips and were delighted to find that none of the team members were seriously delayed and that all of the luggage has safely arrived. Mendoza is situated on the plains that approach the Andes, something like 3,000' of elevation; pretty low and subsequently really hot. The majority of us spent the day trying to recuperate from long stretches of travel by chilling (or sweating really) poolside at the hotel. Today was Sunday so most of the businesses were closed. Everything is still on schedule for hitting the trail day after tomorrow. We all enjoyed some of Argentina's famous beef and wine this evening at a great parrilla near the hotel. Everyone is really psyched for the big adventure! We'll check in once more before we hit the trail tomorrow evening.
Ciao,
RMI Guides Billy Nugent, Pete Van Deventer, Geoff Schellens, and the team
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Our climbing team is rested and well-fed, and we’re all back in Quito enjoying some free time as I right this last dispatch for our trip. We had a great trip, jam-packed with activities during the past week. In addition to summiting 3 high peaks in 4 days, we had time to enjoy a great hacienda on the flanks of Cotopaxi, some sightseeing in Quito, as well as enjoying each others’ company. We’re already starting to plan the next climbing trip! We’ll have a celebration dinner in Quito tonight, and then we’ll head our separate directions…most of us are heading home, but two of the climbers are headed to Mendoza, Argentina tomorrow to begin a RMI expedition on Aconcagua. Be sure to check their dispatches to follow how they are doing!
Hasta la próxima montaña… RMI Guide Mike Walter
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
We're all down from Cotopaxi, healthy and happy after a successful summit climb! We woke up at midnight and left the climbers' hut at ~1:30 am... headed for the summit. The weather was spectacular: no wind, moderate temperature, and a crystal clear, starry sky. Our team climbed strong, and 7 1/2 hours later we were all congratulating each other on top! The snow conditions were perfect for cramponing--a good thing because we had some exposed traverses and a steep ice chute to negotiate up near the summit. The route was very enjoyable, and challenged us not only with its altitude, but its variety.
This team of climbers attempted Cotopaxi last summer, but we were denied its summit by a violent storm. Persistent folks we climbers are; we scheduled this reunion trip and it paid dividends. We had great climbing weather and summitted 3 peaks in 4 days... all of which are higher than any peak in the Continental US!
Now we're getting some much needed rest at the hacienda Chilcabamba. After a leisurely breakfast we'll head back to Quito tomorrow morning. I'll be in touch tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
Congrats!
3 peaks in 4 days!?! That’s great.
Posted by: Nuno on 1/27/2011 at 8:26 pm
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
We have spent a few days in Mendoza City enjoying the great weather that this place offers in January (southern hemisphere summer). The swimming pool was the RMI meeting center during the afternoons...
Dinners (Argentinian beef and Malbec wines) have been excellent according to the taste of our team. The team members began to depart to the U.S. today. This was a great trip, with a lot of fun, unique views, amazing people, and a safe, successful ascent.
Cheers and thank you for following our progress on this expedition to the top of South America.
RMI Guides Gabriel Barral, Pete Van Deventer and Garret Stevens
It was fun to follow the team’s progress on the blog. So thankful that everything went well for you all! :)
Posted by: Judy H. on 1/27/2011 at 7:11 pm
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Mike called at 6:10 a.m. PT from the summit of Cotopaxi.
The entire team reached the summit at 9 o'clock local time. It was a beautiful day with not a breath of wind.
Everyone was doing great. They were planning to descend shortly and will provide a written dispatch later today.
Congratulations to the RMI Cotopaxi Team!
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
The RMI Aconcagua Team has returned to Mendoza.
They are enjoying sunshine and 90 degree temperatures. The team celebrated their return with a great dinner of steak and wine.
Everyone will be heading home soon.
Congratulations to the team for a safe and successful expedition!
So happy for you all! Congratulations! :D
PS: Would love one last picture of the post-climb team! :)
Posted by: Judy H. on 1/27/2011 at 2:44 pm
Hello from the Cotopaxi climbers' hut!
We awoke this morning to a crystal clear sky and a beatiful veiw of Cotopaxi from our haciena. After a relaxing breakfast we finalized our packing and drove into Cotopaxi National Park, and up a scenic road towards the climbers' hut. A series of switchbacks and 45 minutes later we arrived at the hut. We spent the bulk of the day hydrating, eating, relaxing, chewing the fat, and getting used to the thin air at 16,000'.
We're heading to bed early in preparation for an alpine start and our summit push. The weather looks good right now...keep your fingers crossed for us. Hopefully our next dispatch will be after we summit. We'll try to send some good climbing photos tomorrow also.
Hasta entonces...
RMI Guide Mike Walter
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
We had a great climb of Iliniza Norte today. Conditions were good, a mix of rock and snow, with a steep scramble to the summit at ~16,500'. The weather was good- at times we were climbing in the clouds, and at others we had good views of other high peaks in Ecuador, including Antisana, Cayambe, and our next objective, Cotopaxi.
On the drive down from the climb today we were treated to two condors soaring above us. It was majestic to see their 10-foot wingspan backdropped against a verdant patchwork of Andean farm country.
We're now headed to the hacienda Chilcabamba, where we will get a chance to shower and rest before heading up to the climbers' hut on Cotopaxi tomorrow.
Everyone is doing great, and we give a big "hola" to everyone back home.
We'll be in touch soon.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
Hey Guys…Hope you are safe and having fun!
Tell my man I LOVE HIM!!!!
-MK
Posted by: MK on 1/26/2011 at 10:06 am
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Hi Seth:
Johnny and I were close to Kotapaxi a few years ago—have fun.
Love, Brigid
Posted by: Brigid on 1/30/2011 at 1:56 pm
What a beautiful picture. Great job to the team. Love to my brother, Bob. See you soon!
Posted by: K Deeds on 1/28/2011 at 12:29 pm
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