Hey everybody!
We have made it to our high camp and we are all ready to try for a summit push tomorrow. If the weather holds, we will be up early for a big climb to the top of South America!
Everyone up here is feeling strong and ready for the challenge. We got a taste of what's to come watching today's teams return- tired, hungry, and satisfied. Now we are tucked away in our bags trying to get some Zzzzzzs before the big day.
Wish us luck!
RMI Guide Ben Liken
Today was a day of feasting and resting. After yesterday's carry, Mike King, the master chef, started us off with a great breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon. Then we went for a a brief walk down the Relinchos Valley to stretch our legs a bit. Upon our return to camp, we relaxed reading books and hanging out. To be followed by a delicious lunch of quesadillas and grilled cheese sandwiches. We're making our preparations for tomorrow's move to Camp 1 and we're looking forward to our last dinner at Basecamp for a while. Signing out for now.
RMI Guide Zeb Blais and team
RMI Guide Zeb Blais calls in from Aconcagua Basecamp.
This is Zeb Blais checking in from Plaza Argentina. Today, our team made our first carry to Camp One. Our team did great under some big loads, carrying supplies and gear for the upper mountain... [transmission lost]
RMI Guide Zeb Blais
We had our best rest day yet on Aconcagua. We were away from the bustle of base camp, the wind was calm, the sun was shining, and we spent a lot of the day relaxing outside listening to the melting snowfield surrounded by views of the Central Andes.
We did do a little work in preparation for summit day. Double checking our crampons and discussions of how to stay warm, what and how much to eat, and what to expect as we move toward the summit.
RMI Guide Walter Hailes
Greetings from a well rested team.
Today was our first rest day at Plaza Argentina on the Aconcagua 3 Trip. The team is doing great. We went for a brief walk to assist in acclimatization and have spent the rest of the day sorting gear and preparing for our carry tomorrow. We will check back in after our carry to Camp 1.
RMI Guide Zeb Blais
RMI Guide Zeb Blais checks in from Plaza Argentina.
We had a near perfect day to move up to Guanacos camp. It was a little cool as we started but turned out to be a sunny, calm day at camp. Everyone climbed strong to camp but I realized something much more important today. Our team is the best team on this mountain. Everyone in our group watches out for each other and not only pulls their own weight but is eager to do extra work for the team. There is nothing better than climbing with a group of great people.
RMI Guide Walter Hailes & Team
This is Zeb checking in from Plaza Argentina, Aconcagua Basecamp. We arrived today after trekking up from Casa de Piedra. We had a great New Year's last night where we celebrated with an asado and some nice bubbly. Today's hike went really well and everyone is in camp resting and feeling good. We have a full day of rest tomorrow and then we plan on carrying to Camp 1. We'll check in again soon. Thanks for following.
RMI Guide Zeb Blais
RMI Guide Zeb Blais calls in from Plaza Argentina.
We are still hanging out at Camp 1 waiting for the weather to improve high on the mountain. While sleeping through the gales is a little tough overall conditions are not bad. It's hard to complain when you get to lay around all day and relax, read, play cards, and nap? So yeah, we all would have been excited to move higher today, but this alternative isn't too bad.
RMI Guide Walter Hailes
Another restful rest day on Aconcagua! We had a leisurely morning breakfast in bed followed by a warm but windy day of lounging, reading, telling stories, and near constant eating.
We also celebrated New Year's Eve with a toast of fancy glasses (plastic cups) and bubbly (orange Fanta). We all wish you at home a happy new year.
RMI Guide Walter Hailes
We had a windy day getting into our second camp of the 3 day trek to Base Camp. The colors and terrain of the upper Vacas Valley really stood out. The team put up tents in 30+ mph winds, which will prepare them for higher camps. We're fixing to have a big meal to celebrate the new year tonight and are thinking of family and friends. We will get an early start in the morning so we arrive at Plaza Argentina and can relax after three hot and windy days.
Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Zeb Blais and Team
Happy New Year!! Julian & Stephen from the party here at our house Karen, Mark, Kim, Sona, Vijay, Stephan ++ We had fireworks and champagne on the patio with kiddies too. We miss you both lots.
xoxo
Good luck Viv and the rest of the team. Get up there and come down safe!
Posted by: Andrew on 1/5/2015 at 7:41 am
Good luck team Hailes!!
The best team on the mountain can and will do it!!
Please give us a shout out from the top of South America
Good luck, be safe!!!
Bob
Posted by: Bob on 1/5/2015 at 3:48 am
View All Comments