Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Hola from Ecuador!
All is well here on the equator. Saturday we spent a few hour at the massive Otavalo outdoor market where the team practiced their bartering skills with the locals. Buy the number of bags people had in their arms, they must have done a good job.
We then headed up to the hut on Cayambe to drop off our gear and add a little to our acclimatization. Normally we like to spend the night at the hut, but due to a hut remodel and new park management, we opted on staying in the town of Cayambe at a wonderful Hacienda call San Luis. Everyone enjoyed the day and the warmth of the fires that were awaiting us in our rooms.
Today the team headed back up to the hut and went on a short hike, then returned to the hut for a little training. We have had our dinner and discussed the climb here on Cayambe and everything seems in order. Hopefully the weather will hold and we'll have a good climb tomorrow.
That's all for now. We'll check in tomorrow post-climb
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
On The Map
Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
Hey everybody. It's Billy calling in from Camp Cholera at19,600 feet here on the side of Aconcagua. We're all settled into camp and melting snow, filling water bottles right now. We are looking forward to dinner and early to bed tonight. Hopefully take a crack at the summit tomorrow. Right now the weather is partly cloudy and just a gentle breeze. Things are pretty nice, other than the fact that camp is bone, bone dry. We have to hike almost 20 minutes out of camp to fill garbage bags full of snow and bring them back just to fill water bottles. Other than that nuisance, things are going well, the teams in great spirits and hopefully that weather forecast holds true and we have a perfect day tomorrow. We'll check in again during the day and let you know how it's going. All for now, bye.
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
RMI Guide Billy Nugent calls in from Aconcagua High Camp.
On The Map
We took a well deserved rest day today at Plaza Argentina. Though most woke early, everyone opted to stay in their sleeping bags until the sun hit the tents. Our long morning continued with a scrambled egg breakfast and some joke and story telling over coffee. We roused ourselves in the late morning to head to the camp doctor's building for our obligatory medical check. We are happy to report that everyone is as healthy as they look and we are all clear to keep climbing!
It wasn't all fun and games, as we all had to sort through the duffels that the mules have been carrying to organize our gear for our carry to Camp 1 tomorrow. Unfortunately, Base Camp is the end of the road for the mules, and from here on up we take over their job.
An afternoon siesta led into another delicious dinner, which led to a spectacular sunset that turned the whole sky a variety of red and purple shades. A large thunderhead that has been hanging to the east provided a canvas for the painting, and dusk is just now beginning to overtake the brilliant hues. We are lucky to be in such a beautiful place.
We'll let you know how the carry goes tomorrow. Hasta mañana,
RMI Guides Pete, Alex, Juan, and team
On The Map
I hope you are doing well Kjetil. The photos look great. Jim
Posted by: Jim on 1/25/2015 at 3:00 pm
Satellite Communicator suddenly updated and shows 16,302.49 ft @ 1155 on 25 Jan..we’re routing for you, Keep it up!!!
Posted by: Carlo on 1/25/2015 at 2:29 pm
Pulse ox pressure breathing contest in the tent today... We are still here at Camp 2 taking our last rest before the circus begins tomorrow. We're enjoying good weather, which is a bit unnerving, resting on a perfect day... But the good forecast is supposed to hold for several days and this rest and acclimatization will make us that much stronger and safer on our summit push. We'll continue to check in as we can along the way but things are sure to be hectic as we're hoping to move to high camp at Plaza Cólera, summit, descend to Base Camp, and then head for the road without a break in the action over the next 5 days. Wish us luck...
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
On The Map
You are incredible!!! I love you!!!
Posted by: Beth on 1/25/2015 at 9:07 pm
We are so proud of you, Daddy!!!! You can do it! Remember we are looking up at the same stars together. We love the pictures and hearing all about your daily adventures. Sending big hugs and kisses every second. Xoxoxoxo!!!!
Posted by: Mia & Zoe on 1/25/2015 at 9:04 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom, Nick Hunt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Hello again everyone!
Today the team left behind the hustle and bustle of Quito and headed just north of the Equator to the comfortable and quite rural countryside. Once outside the city the landscape quickly turns into rolling farm land with farms pitched on steep slopes and isolated eucalyptus forest. Along the way we stopped by a smaller mountain called Fuya Fuya where we stretched our legs on a acclimatization hike. Normally we like to reach the top of this mountain but cloudy skies and the occasional rain kept us off the steep and slippery upper slopes.
We are just on the outskirts of a town call Otavalo, which is known for its massive market and we are relaxing at a wonderful Hacienda called "La Casa Sol". The team is doing great and looking forward to a nice quiet night here.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
On The Map
Missed the update today. Hope all is going well. Greetings to Michael.
Posted by: sesixth on 1/24/2015 at 10:34 pm
We are settled in to our camp for the next several days in a situation that in mountain terms is very plush. We woke up early this morning to get our bags packed for the arryaros, and then prepared to cross the Vacas river. Some opted to brave the chilly temps, cold water, and multiple channels, rolling up their pant legs and wading right in. Others took the unique opportunity to ride a mule across. We all learned something new from our Norwegian teammate, who showed up with ultralight waders and cruised across without getting the least bit damp.
The sun was shining again today, but the increasing altitude and another welcome breeze kept things mostly comfortable. We saw more Guanacos today (the team no longer believes us when we tell them it's pretty rare), this time either playing or arguing with a game of king of the hill. As we came through the top of the Relinchos valley, we got our first really unobstructed views of Aconcagua and its sister peak Amegino. A dining tent, lemonade, and an assortment of peanuts, crackers, cheese, and olives greeted us when we walked into Plaza Argentina. With tents up, it was time for the afternoon siesta before a delicious chicken dinner prepared by Anita, the wonderful base camp cook. We're off to bed shortly, and after a lot of miles and hours the last three days, everyone is looking forward to a rest day tomorrow.
We send our best to everyone back home,
RMI Guides Pete, Juan, Alex, and crew
On The Map
Enjoy your rest day! It looks like a beautiful country. Stay safe!
Posted by: Suzette Stitely on 1/24/2015 at 2:46 pm
Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
Wulp... Here we are settled in to camp up here at Aconcagua Camp 2 at over 18,000ft enjoying beautifully clear skies and a nice gentle breeze. Haas and Katrina are outside whipping up a tasty meal and hanging out with the team enjoying the afternoon. Not much else to report... The team is in great spirits and hoping for this great weather to hold!
Til tomorrow,
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
On The Map
Glen, the scenery gets better as you guys climb higher and higher. We hope the weather holds good for your next two legs of the journey. At night, I bet the sky is beautiful and full of stars! Have a good rest then onward….
Posted by: John and Kathy Papile on 1/24/2015 at 8:11 am
Glen, mi amor, have you been doing some star gazing? I bet the stars are so beautiful. It snowed this morning in Texas and has been really cold. It’s been clearing this evening and the stars are bright. Miss you lots. Love, Katalina
Posted by: Katalina on 1/23/2015 at 5:56 pm
Posted by: Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hi, this is Seth. We are all back at the Dik Dik Hotel where the team is getting set for the flight home.
We woke up this morning way out in the bush at Kikoti camp. After a great breakfast we split the group in two. Half the team went quickly back through Tarangire National Park and spent some time at Peace-Matunta Orphanage and school. The other half tried to find some leopards but they proved to be elusive. The elephants and giraffes were out in full force, though, so all was not lost.
We are all back together now and after an early dinner I'll be taking everyone to the airport where they will depart for the USA. As for me however; I'll be starting another trip shortly and that means another journey up Kilimanjaro and more wildlife viewing in Tanzania's beautiful national parks.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Today was another perfect day in the Vacas Valley. Several of us slept out last night under a stunning Milky Way while the southern cross worked its way across the horizon. We woke to clear skies, and cool temps, and motivated to get the miles ahead of us under way. We kept a breeze with us most of the way, but nonetheless, after two days in the strong southern sun, everyone is a little bit crispier. About an hour before camp, we came over a rise to see a family of 9 guanacos (a wild relative of the llama) grazing along the trail ahead. Normally very shy, they were about as curious towards us as we were towards them and we were able to snap a bunch of photos. It's pretty rare to get to see them, and especially so close, so we felt really lucky. We arrived in the mid afternoon, so there was plenty of time for a siesta before we filled our bellies, with pasta tonight. Everyone was a bit relieved for the break from huge portions of steak.
Tomorrow we climb through the Relinchos valley to base camp at Plaza Argentina. We'll check in from there. Hopefully this gorgeous weather continues to hold for us.
Hasta luego,
RMI Guides Pete, Alex, Juan, and team
On The Map
Hey Kev we are all watching the teams progress. To all, have a safe climb. Ciao, Bro.
Posted by: Pat Acierto on 1/31/2015 at 4:28 am
Go Bruce!
Posted by: Jim Bradley on 1/24/2015 at 6:50 am
Posted by: Casey Grom, Nick Hunt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
We stretched our legs today with the first acclimatization hike of our Ecuador's Volcanoes program. Despite a slow start due to weather, we were able to successfully summit Rucu Pinchincha, a 15,400' volcano in Quito's backyard. The day started off with a short taxi ride from our hotel to the base of the Teleférico, a gondola that brought the team to just above 13,000'. Upon arriving, we ducked into the upper station to wait out the clouds and moisture that seemed to be hanging in the air. We drank coffee, told stories, and used the time to get to know each other a little bit better.
Soon our waiting was rewarded with a break in the rain. Grabbing our packs, we headed out into the clouds. The views were obscured, but at least we remained dry. A three hour hike and a bit of scrambling brought us to the top, where we grabbed a couple of summit shots and prepared for our descent; we didn't stay long because the rain seemed eager to return!
Moving as a team, we made it back to the gondola in about half the time it took to go up, but not soon enough to outrun the rain. We had to shoulder our rain jackets for the last leg of our descent; thankfully the team was strong and spirits were high.
Now, back at the hotel, we're packing our duffels in preparation of our move out of Quito tomorrow morning.
Hasta mañana,
RMI Guides Nick Hunt and Casey Grom, and the rest of Team Ecuador
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Looks gorgeous there - cannot wait to hear how the ascent goes
xo
Sasha
Posted by: sasha hogan on 1/26/2015 at 10:55 am
Lucy, Corell and the whole team- good luck tomorrow and let the force be with you! So proud of those Team Waki girls!
Posted by: Kathryn LeBey on 1/26/2015 at 7:39 am
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