Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Today we departed from the warm showers and soft beds of our Puebla hotel to rough it one last night up high. After a luxurious breakfast at our host Dr. Reyes’ re-purposed home (from an ancient soap factory) followed by a three-hour stomach-churning ride through local farms and a long windy road up to
Pico de Orizaba National Park, we settled straight into our camp site for the night, sitting well above the clouds at 14,900ft. Everybody has been working well, setting up camp and prepping meals, but we’re also very grateful for the efforts and support of our local porters and guide, who have been fantastic resources and friends. Burritos and more laughter on the dinner menu, then an early bedtime for us in order to be fully charged to tackle our final objective tomorrow, the roof of Mexico, the Pico de Orizaba.
RMI Guide Jessie Poquerusse & the crew
The Team took advantage of a quiet camp last night and got some good rest and woke energized. We spent the day packing and sorting gear, eating pizza and laughing at funny stories. All in all a very casual day here at
Plaza Argentina. Tomorrow the plan is to carry a load up to Camp 1 and then return to base camp. Thanks for the blog comments, the Team really appreciated hearing from family and friends!
RMI Guide Mike King
Buenos Dias amigos!
Not a whole lot of news to report today. We rested at
Camp 2 and went on a small hike around camp. Everyone is fine tuning their kit for our move to Camp 3 tomorrow. Today is our last chill day. Every day from here on out will be go go go till we are back in Mendoza enjoying warm showers. Next time you hear from us we will be getting ready for our summit push.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker and team
Hola from our well deserved rest day in the historic city, and UNESCO world heritage site, of
Puebla. While most folks would spend the day meandering the streets and enjoying the local pleasures, this diligent group was practicing their mountain efficiency skills until the very last minute... effectively pressure breathing and rest stepping their way, single file, the way into our local evening dinner venue (photo attached). What a team.
RMI Guide Jessie Poquerusse & the team
After an early wake up call the Team enjoyed clear views of
Aconcagua on a beautiful day to finish the hike to our base camp, Plaza Argentina. We hiked through the scenic Relinchos River Valley while our bodies continued the acclimatization process. Base camp is situated on a large glacial moraine that is covered in scree. The Team is resting after setting up camp and everyone is looking forward to rest day tomorrow. With all the comforts of home except a comfy bed, we'll sort some gear and food, knock the dust off with a shower and take in the stellar views this place has to offer...rough life. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
Today we went higher up the mountain, carrying gear up to
Camp 3 at 19,600'. For a few team members this is their new altitude record. After Camp 3, each step will be their new highest and soon will be the whole team's highest point. The team arrived strong and made good time walking downhill back to Camp 2. The weather cooperated with only a bit of a breeze and a clear sunny sky. In the next day or two we will move up to Camp 3, positioning ourselves for a shot at the summit. For right now, we patiently wait for the water to boil for hot drinks and dinner. Have a lovely evening everyone.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker and team
Hello from
Barranco Camp located at 12,800' on Kilimanjaro. We left Shira camp and slowly climbed uphill before we started our traverse over to Barranco Valley across the volcanic plateau and just below the remaining glaciers that cling to Kilimanjaro’s slopes, which sadly we didn’t get to see up close, but there’s always tomorrow!
As we approached camp we were all amazed to the giant Groundsels and famous Senecio trees that look like something out of a Dr. Suess book and were relieved to be at camp after about five hours of hiking.
Everyone is doing very well and are looking forward to tomorrow’s climb up the Barranco wall which sits just above camp.
RMI Guide Casey Grom
On The Map
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Todos han cumbreado (everybody summited)! The group was a bit apprehensive last night as the clouds were dancing in and around camp, but we woke up at 1am to mostly clear skies and made our bid for the top of
Ixtaccihuatl in 6mph, -4C weather - doesn’t get much better than that. The sun rose right as we began our final ascent stretch, shedding dramatic light on the Martian like landscape with Popocateptl puffing volcanic smoke in the background. We all celebrated on top under the sun and above a thick undercast. Upon return to high camp we swiftly packed up and made our way back down in a graupel storm before reaching our van, celebrating (again) over beers and sandwiches, and making the drive to our hot showers and warm food in Puebla.
Tired and happy,
RMI Guides Jessie, Walter & the team
On The Map
After a calm night under the stars the Team woke and began breaking camp. We had approximately nine miles to cover, mostly rolling terrain and the Vacas Valley continues to widen. Today was a little cooler then yesterday but honestly the song remained the same. This camp isn't remarkable except for the old stone building built into a giant erratic boulder, which is the namesake. Everyone is trying to beat the heat, some in their tents and some down by the river.
We got to see
Aconcagua for the first time and there is a lot of snow up high. Tomorrow we will arrive at Aconcagua Base Camp, there the climb begins in earnest.
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
Today we woke to a windy, chilly morning at
Camp 2 on Aconcagua. Snow swirls danced down the mountain and through camp as we waited for our water to boil. We enjoyed hot cups of Starbucks Vias and sugary bowls of Cinnamon Toast Crunch for breakfast. Today we rested to let our bodies adjust to our new altitude. The afternoons activity consisted of a casual stroll uphill, getting a glance at our path to camp 3. The tippy top looks cold and windy as we look towards the summit. Fingers crossed Mother Nature gives us a warmer window for our summit bid. For now, we will focus on taking care of ourselves and enjoying the beautiful views.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker and team
On The Map
Hola Dawn! It looks so pretty and peaceful where you are! Wow you even get pizza and a shower! I hope you are enjoying every minute of this great adventure! ☻-☻ kim
Posted by: Kim on 1/27/2018 at 4:16 am
Steve- Looks beautiful and exciting so far! Wishing you continuing good weather and success as you continue on. Miss and love you.
Posted by: Tania on 1/26/2018 at 9:06 pm
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