Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Hello from Mexico City,
Tonight the team arrived, all with the same number of bags they left the states with and ready to go. We had a great intro dinner at a classic Centro Historico restaurant and retired to get a good night's sleep before leaving the city tomorrow. Off to a good start down here and we'll check in from
La Malinche tomorrow.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
Not much to report from Camp 1, which is to be expected on a rest day. The good weather continues to hold and the team seems rested and eager for tomorrow's move up to
Camp 2. We've been passing the time catching rays (Mark--shirtless!), jamming our iPods, and of course good old fashioned reading. A full day in the tent can inspire some serious restlessness, which we hope will propel us upward tomorrow.
Signing off,
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
Hi this is
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall checking in from Camp Muir on Day 5 of our
Expedition Skills Seminar - Winter. We've been having some serious winter weather up here. Although it has kept us off of the upper mountain, we have been able to do a lot of training out in the elements. Yesterday the storms kept us inside for a bit but we were able to venture outside to practice our crevasse rescue systems. This morning we had a great session on a fixed-line course and also practiced rappelling. This afternoon we have more activities planned and the we'll settle in for our last night at Camp Muir.
Another day of near perfect weather! So, we took advantage by bringing another load of supplies further up the mountain to our
Camp 2 or Chopper Camp. There used to pieces of a wrecked helicopter strewn about camp but today's visit confirmed the fact that most of the wreckage has been removed. All of the guys on the team performed extremely well on our first mission above 18,000'. Upon returning to camp it seems that several teams moved up today so there's lots of room in Camp 1. Right now we're laying around after the day's work contemplating our next move...
All for now,
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
On The Map
Today we made our first big move up the mountain as we left basecamp and have settled in at
Aconagua's Camp 1. Despite a couple hiccups (negotiating with some Russians over tent platforms, some minor blisters, and acquainting ourselves with the bio-bag human waste system) today's move was the smoothest I've seen. The guys are all in great spirits after having a great meal and a hot drink before crawling in for the night. We hope to take advantage of more good weather forecasted for tomorrow by pushing another carry up to our Camp 2, also know as
Chopper Camp.
We'll check in again tomorrow evening,
RMI Guides Billy Nugent & Leon Davis
On The Map
Not a lot to report on our last rest day at
Base Camp. The crew has been keeping busy reading, jamming tunes, tanning, etc.
RMI Guide Leon Davis lead the guys through a knot and anchor session that everyone found interesting. Other than that we've just been chilling, trying not to be anxious about the big day tomorrow on our move to Camp 1. We'll check in from over 16k tomorrow!
All for now,
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
P.S. William would also like to wish his son John a very happy birthday! He wishes he could be there to share it with you.
On The Map
Hi from
Camp Muir. After a long day on the Muir Snowfield yesterday we awoke to clear skies and light winds. We are taking full advantage of the beautiful conditions by practicing our cramponing, ice axe technique and self arrest skills. This afternoon we plan on breaking out the ropes and practicing glacier travel and pitched climbing techniques. We're hoping the weather holds for the rest of the week!
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall and the
Winter Skills Seminar crew.
Today's plans called for our first foray onto the mountain above basecamp. After a quick breakfast the crew got busy organizing loads of both personal and group gear, food for nearly 12 days, and a couple of gallons of fuel. We then set out for
Camp 1 climbing along a lateral moraine, crossing a glacial remnant, and finally ascending a long scree slope (brutally loose) into the camp at over 16,000'. We put a cache together, took a nap in the sun, and then cruised back down to Plaza Argentina. All in all, we spent a little less than 7 hours in the field and the team performed exceptionally well. The guys were really excited to finally get down to the nitty gritty of climbing this thing.
Tired but happy in Plaza Argentina,
RMI Guides
Billy Nugent,
Leon Davis, and the gang.
Greetings from our rest day here at
Plaza Argentina. After a lazy morning lounging in our tents we convened in our weather port for a terrific brunch of bacon, eggs, and of course REAL coffee. Most of us felt a bit ragged from our first night at nearly 14,000' but after a solid meal everyone seems to have bounced back and they're all enjoying another beautiful day reading, playing cards, and the like.
Leon and I are spending the afternoon drinking mate and packing up our supplies for tomorrow's carry up to Camp 1.
Adios,
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
On The Map
After our third consecutive day of walking we've finally arrived at
Aconcagua Basecamp in beautiful Plaza Argentina (13,800'). After a nice snack we settled in to camp by setting up our tents and then enjoying a wonderful steak dinner courtesy of the great Grajales staff. Leon and I also pulled a little surprise of our own with some Cabernet for the team to celebrate our arrival. Who says that you can't eat great while mountaineering? Anyway, tomorrow calls for a needed rest day as we can all certainly feel the effects of our new altitude...
Ciao from base camp,
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
To William - we’re all rooting for the “old man” with the heart of a lion and the perseverance of a mule. Can’t wait to see you and, hopefully, lots of photos. Hope all goes well and that you’re enjoying (?) the challenge.
Much love from J, C & J.
Posted by: Judy on 2/11/2012 at 8:48 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL. Stay safe. We all love you and will celebrate when you come home. Love Mom
Posted by: Joyce on 2/11/2012 at 7:04 am
View All Comments