Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Cotopaxi is 19,300 feet short and considered the Jewel of Ecuador. Yesterday we arrived at the mountain and were welcomed with beautiful views and pleasant temps. Hopes were high that our good fortune would continue and the next few days might give us stars at night and sun during the day. Last night however those hopes were dashed as the mountain came into a mood hammering the hut with high winds driving sleet.
These unfavorable conditions didn’t threaten us like they did the climbers attempting the summit today but they did squash some of our training plans.
At 8 am this morning everyone was up feeling much better than they did after their first night on Cayambe. Despite that refugio sitting at 15,000 feet, our acclimatization was so much better that a night at 16,000 feet here on Cotopaxi produced fewer headaches and more restful sleep than the latter. Which is good because an altitude hangover feels like you drank a bottle of whiskey but had none of the fun that goes along with it. All in all a lose lose.
So after breakfast we watched the climbers roll in looking much like a popsicle left in the freezer too long so we took a nap and waited for the weather to settle just a bit. Which it did by 10:30, opening a small window for us to climb into and train for just a bit. It only took an hour for everyone to begin getting cold and wet, standing in a cloud blowing 25 mph so by 1 pm we were pulling the plug and heading back down to the security of the hut. During the afternoon we snacked on good meats and cheeses, thanks to John, and then studied anchors and crevasse rescue on coat hangers and picnic tables. Setting up a pulley system while drinking coke is sometimes better than doing the same while shivering in the howling wind.
So after training we crawled into bed for some nice down time and will be having dinner shortly. As of now the wind has mellowed a bit so we are hoping that for our 11:30 wake up call the mountain will be over her mood and things will be nicer. But in mountain climbing you never know! It is the mystery we all enjoy.
Stay tuned for news of our summit attempt.
Buenas Noches,
RMI Guide Adam Knoff
The sun hits the tents here at Plaza Argentina around 7:30 am, until then it’s difficult to justify getting out of a warm sleeping bag. The Team experienced a range of sleep and rest last night, and everyone seems to acclimating well. We had breakfast together and then got to work sorting gear and food for the upper mountain. After a quick visit to the doctor’s for the mandatory check up, we went for a walk uphill to stretch our legs and lungs. Plaza Argentina is situated on rock covered glacial moraine. The area is filled with many shades of red, brown and orange rock. The first stretch out of base camp is a good opportunity to see if your mountaineering boots are going to cause any blisters. The terrain is all scree and large talus so the group gets to see how the rigid boots behave when compared to walking in snow. Back down for lunch and people are enjoying some tent time to escape the wind and finish packing.
Tomorrow we will carry food, fuel and some personal gear to Camp 1. We hope to have light winds and blue skies as the Team continues to acclimate by doing some work at higher altitude while still sleeping here at Aconcagua Base Camp. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guides Mike King & Nick Scott
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hello again everyone
After a good nights rest and rain all night, we were not sure what to expect after all the rain from the famous Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is roughly 100 square miles and is home to roughly 30,000 mammals that reside here year round, as its one of the few places that has natural springs and water year round. We started early with hopes of catching the big cats as they are more nocturnal animals.
We saw many hyenas, jackles, ostrich, plus countless other huge birds, and even manage to get close to a pride of 12 lions with very full bellies. There were 3 Black Rhino spotted also which was a highlight.
We wrapped up the day with a visit to a Maasai village not far from the craters rim. The Maasai people are a semi-nomadic tribe that exist almost entirely off of their cattle. The team spent time asking questions and enjoyed being shown around their small and simple village.
We have just finished another wonderful meal here at the Plantation Lodge and the team is off to bed after a long, but very rewarding day on safari.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the safari crew
Thanks so much for your regular blogs. They were wonderful for those of us who had a loved one in your group. You did a great job of reporting!
Posted by: Peggy Phipps on 1/18/2019 at 1:52 pm
Tuesday, January 15, 2019 -
After a full night's sleep and delicious breakfast at Hacienda Guachalá, our re-energized team loaded up the bags and went from a centuries-old hacienda to a modern Ecuadorian shopping mall. After a bit of food shopping and lunch, we made the drive up to the refugio at the base of Cotopaxi. On our drive up, a sudden break in the clouds offered a stunning view of this iconic mountain. After a great dinner in the hut the team is settled in, feeling acclimatized, and ready to learn more mountain skills tomorrow!
RMI Guide Adam Knoff
On The Map
Congrats to all one my success. Best to all on #2!! Safe and enjoy!
Posted by: Jane Knoff on 1/16/2019 at 5:48 pm
Wow… What a spectacular mountain! Have a great climb! Thinking of you all!
Beck (Chris’s wife)
Posted by: Beck Condon on 1/16/2019 at 10:57 am
Sue and I spent one of my favorite nights I've ever had in Mexico, camping on the slopes of Orizaba last night. We slept on a floor of pine needles surrounded by blue bunch grasses. Yesterday we hiked from the town of Tlachichuca to a camp at 12,000 feet on the forested side of the mountain. We had a fire and watched cows till the sun set leaving us chilled and ready for bed. This morning we lounged around our precious camp with enough time for two cups of coffee. Then set off for Piedra Grande, the typical starting point for climbers on Orizaba. We are grateful for the extra days of acclimatizing and time to enjoy this countryside. Tonight we bed down at 14,000 feet hoping for some good rest.
RMI Guide Christina Dale
Hi Nini,
What a beautiful mountain and it looks like a great group. Have a ball and take lots of photos.
Peace and love
Dad
Posted by: peter von Mertens on 1/22/2019 at 6:44 am
Hi Christina! I’m excited to follow along. I am doing this trip with Eric and Jenny in March.
Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/16/2019 at 3:18 am
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Today was our first day of safari and we headed West to visit the beautiful Lake Manyara. The lake is a brief stopping ground for many migratory animals and home to many unique birds.
Everyone enjoyed the day cruising around in our safari vehicles with cold beverages in hand while seeing the animals up close and personal.
We saw wildebeest, zebras, Cape buffalo, lots of baboons, a few impalas, hippos, and several elephants so close we could have touched them.
It was a pretty nice introduction to the incredible diversity of wildlife that Africa has and the team is looking forward to seeing more tomorrow.
We spent the remainder of the day relaxing at our new lodge and finished the evening with a wonderful meal at our new lodge.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Safari crew
We got an early start this morning with a few members crossing the cold Vacas River on foot and few other opting for a mule ride. The days hike brought us up the Relinchos River valley with a decent elevation gain during the first two hours. Since we missed the view of Aconcagua yesterday due to clouds and stormy weather the Team was taken back by the size of the mountain and it’s fresh coat of snow.
We strolled down the braided mule paths, walking slowly to allow our bodies to adjust to the change in altitude. This trip has been one of 180 degree different weather patterns. Today was our hottest day of the trek as we were swarmed by horse flies. Now that we are at Aconcagua Base Camp at 13,800’ the Team is setting up their tents and taking some down time after three days of walking. Not much on the agenda except a delicious dinner and enjoying the sunset from our home for the next four nights. Tomorrow will be a rest day so the Team can continue acclimatizing and have a chance to sort gear and food to get carried up to Camp 1. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
Posted by: JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,000'
Today was about steak. Glorious, salty, fatty steak. We spent most of our day walking back through the Vacas Valley. We got snowed on. We saw some lightning. We heard some thunder (go on the YouTube and look up “Jim Cantore thunder snow.” That was basically us). All of those things were great, but do not capture the true essence of the day. All of that walking, over all of those rocks, across all of those rivers was done to accomplish one goal: to get to Pampa de Leñas, so we could eat our weight in carne asado.
We sit at a picnic table, we’re covered in dirt, and we eat with our hands. We eat next to climbers who are walking in to Aconcagua Base Camp. They are still clean, and not yet hungry. They watch in amazement as we devour our food as fast as it is brought to the table. We watch in amazement as they politely pass their bread around. We laugh at them because they don’t know what we know.
This is our last night in the mountains, our last night to eat with our hands, and to sleep on the ground. Tomorrow at dinner we will wear collared shirts, and say please and thank you. One might start to wipe food from his face with the back of his hand, remember where he is, and reach for a napkin instead. The conveniences of society will be welcomed, but we’re all a little wilder now, and what we’ve learned in the mountains won’t be forgotten.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
Happy to hear you all are safe and sound! I’m sure a hot shower with lots of soap is much needed, and will be amazing! Enjoy the steak and wine!
Posted by: Shannon Smith on 1/15/2019 at 4:45 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Today we woke at 6:30 feeling good, had breakfast, then enjoyed a goodbye song and dance from our gracious crew of porters, cooks, and local guides numbering 52. We finished the little celebration by handing out their well deserved tips and then hit the trail one last time.
It took a little over three hours to reach the park gate where the team had lunch then hopped aboard our awaiting bus for the ride back to the lodge.
Finally we are all safe and sound, and a little cleaner after an amazing seven-day journey up and down Kilimanjaro.
The team is currently relaxing and looking forward to Safari which starts tomorrow!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and a happy Kilimanjaro crew
Hello from Cafe La Vaca, in the town of Cayambe. We have all arrived safely from the mountain and are getting ready to power down massive hamburgers to replenish our bodies after 11 straight hours of climbing this morning.
Oh, did I mention the team made a successful summit of Cayambe? I am so distracted by hamburgers I almost forgot the important details.
We woke at 11:30 this morning to cloudy skies but warm temps. We started up the mountain at 12:30 and were standing on top in perfect weather by 7:15am. It was one of the most glorious summit days I’ve ever had on this mountain. Somebody cashed in some big karma bucks to get this forecast.
Once at the hut the wind picked up and the clouds rolled in. Perfect timing again!
Now we will feast, bathe and sleep. Our big mountains are just beginning so rest is imperative to staying healthy and strong.
Sending big hugs to all of our family and friends back home.
Will write again tomorrow.
RMI Guide Adam Knoff
This mountain looks awesome. Hope you are enjoying your adventure.
Mary (Chris’s mom)
Posted by: Mary Accettura on 1/14/2019 at 9:19 pm
This mountain is awesome, congratulations, hope you are enjoying the good time.
Mary Accettura (Chris’s mom)
Posted by: Mary Accettura on 1/14/2019 at 9:18 pm
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Good luck and safe adventuring to all!
Posted by: Renee Sherwood on 1/18/2019 at 4:58 pm
Good luck Steve Sherwood and have fun! We’ll keep posted via the blog.
Posted by: Doug Sherwood on 1/18/2019 at 2:10 pm
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