Entries from Locations
We had a fantastic walk in yesterday to get the trip started finally! Though everyone agreed it was very hot, a breeze for most of the way kept it much more comfortable than it could have been. We had a leisurely start from Penitentes, and we were comfortably settled into camp by late afternoon. As the shadows lengthened, JJ's team marched triumphantly into camp, and we shared another delicious asado with them and swapped stories. Tomorrow, it's onward, following the dusty mule trail, to
Casa de Piedras. The group is doing a great job, and it looks as though it will be another warm sunny day tomorrow, just the way we like it.
Ciao,
RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Alex Barber, Juan, and Team
Hello Everyone:
All is well here in
Ecuador! After some long flights and a little bit of sleep the team is doing well. We started our day with a team meeting where we did our usual round of introductions and discussed the game plan for our upcoming adventure.
After the meeting we headed out on the town to explore this beautiful historical city with our tour guide Angel. He took us to the older part of town where we visited many old churches and the president's palace that sit on the old town square. Next we headed to a small hill that overlooks the city before heading north to visit the Equator from which
Ecuador gets its name.
We finished the day with a small break and then a quick gear check to make sure everyone has all the gear needed for our climbs. We then went to dinner at a nice Ecuadorian restaurant where we were joined by some good friends from back home who were here visiting on their own.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Windy today... After an all-things-considered-decent night last evening at Camp 1 we woke this morning to clear skies and calm winds. Perfect, we thought, for a push up to
Camp 2 to drop off another cache of supplies. The team made good time and dispatched the uphill portion of the carry in three stretches moving smoothly and in good style. The wind beat us up a little bit but in the end it was nothing but a nuisance as we passed through Ameghino Col. We saw some of our first views of other big peaks in the range as we passed underneath the toe of the Polish Glacier. The mountain is VERY dry right now and we've heard that getting snow for water up at high camp is problematic, at least there's still a good flow of water coming through the stream at Camp 2. We are all back down at Camp 1 safe and sound, looking forward to a rest/acclimatization day tomorrow!
Ciao, for now.
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
On The Map
What a great day on safari! The crew all rallied for an early start to
Ngorongoro Crater. The weather started out a little cool but we didn't have any of the rain like yesterday. After stopping at a Masaai Village we dropped down to the crater floor. We hit the jackpot pretty quick when a huge pride of lions popped up out of a creek bed right by us. After that we got really close to some hippos and even caught a glimpse of the elusive black rhinoceros. All in all a really fantastic day.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
It's been a really busy 36 hours, getting everyone here, buying food, securing permits, traveling to Penitentes, and packing our gear for the mules, but we have gotten it all done! The bags are packed and we are ready to hit the dusty trail tomorrow and start up
Aconcagua! In all of that bustling around, we still found time for our first of several delicious steak and wine dinners in Mendoza. This can be the most stressful part of the trip, making sure that everyone arrives, and with all of their bags. Tomorrow we move into the rhythm of the mountains, things slow down, and we take a deep breath. We'll be in touch tomorrow from Pampa de Lenas, where we hope to see
JJ and his team as they make their way out from a successful trip. We're hoping ours is as well.
Ciao for now.
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer,
Alex Barber, and team
Hola del Campo Uno. For those of you who don't "habla español" El Campo Uno is spanish for... The Campo Uno. Our team enjoyed a relaxed morning getting packed up and out of
Aconcagua Basecamp despite how eager we were to get this climb underway. We enjoyed perfect weather on our move up and even got to spend some time with
JJ and the other RMI crew descending after yesterday's successful summit bid at one of our breaks along the trail. We could hear JJ coming down the trail but couldn't see him until he was right upon us. His full camouflage outfit (including camo expedition backpack) is perfectly at home in the mountain environment. Our team is moving extremely well in large part due to great fitness but also great rest-stepping and footwork. They made short work of the move and even had the energy to write a limerick along the way. Here it is for your reading pleasure:
Climbing this mountain is rough, but our team is tougher than tough. Through wind, ice, and sand on the peak we'll all stand because we've all got the right stuff!
All for now...
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
On The Map
Hello everyone this is the
Aconcagua team coming at ya safe and sound at base camp! This will officially be our last blog. So instead of blabbing on about the same old same old...I'm going to pass the electronics around so our team members can give their own shout outs.
JJ Justman
Hi Mom and Sam and Giulia. We both are alive and recovering from a successful summit with beers. Love you, Dad and Jenny
Hey Morgan, Mom and Dad. Had a great time summiting ! Miss you guys a lot. Love Adam!
Hi Vera Kim likely Cary. I got to 21,000ft so no summit but am now at base camp very difficult so 31 miles to walk out then back to Mendoza. In 2 days very burnt out, but ok. Bye -David P
Jenny and I give a shout out to all the Hines' and Gazzolas. We conquered Aconcagua 22,841 feet.
I didn't quite make it to the summit but sure am enjoying the experience! Hi to Mom and Dad, and thanks to Linda for holding the fort down...Sue
On The Map
Seth here, checking in on our first day of safari. We left the Dik Dik this morning in a total downpour and we were all a bit nervous that our luck with good weather had run out. By the time we reached
Lake Manyara, however, the rain had stopped. The moisture has actually kept the dust down so riding with the top of the vehicle open has been no problem. The game viewing has been pretty solid for our 'warm up' day. I would say the hippos were the most impressive animals we saw but we got the closest to some zebras. Tonight we will stay at the Plantation Lodge and tomorrow we'll visit Ngorongoro Crater.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Our
Aconcagua team is safe and sound back in high camp. It was a 13-hour day and I am so proud of the entire team! I'd like to go on and on but we have some tired little cookies in desperate need of a good meal and some hot drinks. We will send a great last dispatch from base camp tomorrow!
RMI Guide JJ Justman
On The Map
Hi all,
Not much new to report from our basecamp here at
Plaza Argentina. The physical output and exertion on yesterday's carry is hopefully triggering our bodies to take advantage of today's rest and accelerate our acclimation process. We're spending the day eating good food (egg & prosciutto scramble! cucumber, tomato, and melon salad!), napping, and tying up loose ends in preparation for tomorrow's move up to
Camp 1. We've been listening to the hippies over at the freelance porter tent jam away on their drums and recorder. While not exactly relaxing it's at least a bit comical. Anyway, hoping for a good night's sleep, provided the porters have jammed themselves out, and don't play another night into the wee hours of the morn... We'll check in again tomorrow evening and let you know how it all went.
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
On The Map
Keep the photos coming! You look like a team that will really embrace Ecuador.
Both it’s mountains and it’s people! Magical!
Regards to Sockie. “Good on ya, mate!”
Posted by: Jeff Peck on 1/25/2015 at 11:12 am
Looks like a fun time - I’m jealous and sorry that I’m not there. Casey is probably glad though! I look forward to seeing the adventure unfold.
Posted by: Happy Dancer on 1/22/2015 at 1:38 pm
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