Entries from Aconcagua
What a great day here on Aconcagua, sunshine and no winds had our rest day in perfect condition. We woke up as the sun hit our tent and sipped hot drinks until nearly 11 am. Then the team went on a short hike up hill to acclimatize and look at tomorrow's route. Everyone is ready for the move to our final camp at 19,600' tomorrow, and excited to look up at our final move, the summit. Let's hope for clear calm conditions in the coming days.
RMI Guides Ben Liken & Pepper Dee
On The Map
Well, we barely snuck in a move today from Aconcagua Camp 1 to Camp 2 before the wind started a blowin' and the snow started a snowin'. Fortunately, everyone is tucked away in their tents hydrating, breathing, and getting used to life at 18,000 feet. We are all glad to be here; it feels like the upper mountain is finally within reach. More tomorrow!
RMI Guide Ben Liken
On The Map
For Shannon Walsh
WOW! In awe of your achievement. I have trouble walking the small hills of NEPA.
Not the little girl I remember anymore!
Watching you in awe! Best wishes and travels to you and the team! Stay safe
Posted by: Janet Yontas on 2/10/2017 at 4:19 pm
For ,Dave & Kelly. You are on the cusp of an achievement realized by so few yet admired by many. You climb for more than yourselves. We’re all up there with you and even breathing heavey even at 1500 ft.
Posted by: Nick Lazzareschi on 2/10/2017 at 3:49 pm
Today, after two days of hard work and accomplishment, the team rested at Camp 1 on Aconcagua. All that was on our minds was quesadillas, hot drinks, and naps. Our bodies need to recover and make a few more red blood cells before we can be strong higher. Tomorrow we will try and move camp to 18000 feet, but with a little snow in the forecast we will just have to wait and see.
RMI Guide Ben Liken
On The Map
It was cold and windy today on our gear bump to 18,000' with most of the team climbing in all our insulating layers. The sunny skies kept us moving and everyone did great! The views from Camp 2 inspired the team as we breathed the thin air. We are back at Camp 1 now ready to devour some Mac and cheese.
RMI Guide Ben Liken
On The Map
Dave, I promise you a cheese cake when you come home! We miss you. Be safe!
Posted by: Nancy Hicks on 2/9/2017 at 8:39 am
Today we finally left the comforts of Aconcagua Base Camp for good, well at least for a little over a week. We moved to Camp 1 at 16,400' which is the first of three stops on our way to the summit. The team moved more fluidly today because they have had some time to acclimatize since our carry to the same elevation. We are all moved in now and awaiting RMI Guide Pepper Dee's world famous top ramen dinner!
Our plan is to carry supplies to 18,000' tomorrow, we hope the weather holds!
RMI Guide Ben Liken
On The Map
Glad you’re all doing well. Friends of Dr Folsom pray for your safety. Have fun and enjoy the trip
Posted by: Ed Sutton on 2/7/2017 at 5:34 pm
This morning on Aconcagua we woke up slow as the sun hit our tents. As the team rolled into breakfast the eggs, onions, and peppers were sizzling on the grill. We casually sat around and chatted and laughed about the trials and tribulations of the day before. As the afternoon came, it was siestas all around before our steak dinner. Now with a lot of rest on board, the team is ready to move higher on the mountain.
RMI Guide Ben Liken
February 5, 2017
After a very snowy and windy period here at Base Camp the sky's finally broke and the sun started shining. So we got a load of gear together and carried it up to 16,200 ft. It was a perfect day for climbing, not to hot and not to cold. We are now back a base resting after a hard days work. I think I smell some chicken dinner coming from the cook tent, can't wait!
February 4, 2017
After three days of approach we have arrived at Plaza de Argentina, our Base Camp. The day began with an icy creek crossing on mule back just as the sun came up over the mountains. Then we were off on a 6 hour jaunt up valley in pleasant overcast conditions. But by the time we arrived at camp winds were howling and snow was falling. The rest of the day felt like full on winter. Tomorrow is a rest day that will be met with lots of eating and some prep for the next day. Spirits are high!
RMI Guide Ben Liken
On The Map
Our team has made it one step closer to Aconcagua by moving further up the Vacas valley to Casa de Piedra, our second camp. The awesome views continued but we did encounter our first dose of wind. By the fourth stretch we were pressing into a 25-30 mph headwind! Just before camp we got a view of our objective, it was covered in clouds from 18,000' up but still impressive. Tonight we will have another grill out, before we head to base camp tomorrow. The team is doing excellent!
RMI Guide Ben Liken
On The Map
Dr Folsom. The surgery team is keeping track of your progress. Stay safe and have a great trip!
Posted by: Ed Sutton on 2/2/2017 at 8:45 pm
Hey there followers,
Our entire team has made it to our first camp at 9500 ft here in Argentina. After a sturdy breakfast and some quick repacking we were off on a five-hour walk to the Andean high country. Between the steep rock walls on each side of the valley we saw lizards, the raging Vacas River, and a bunch of mules carrying our gear. When we got to camp we settled in and enjoyed a traditional Argentinian asado of steak, chicken, potatoes, and peppers. Now we are headed to bed under the southern sky excited to do it again tomorrow.
RMI Guide Ben Liken
Posted by: Billy Nugent, Hannah Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Well, the whirlwind is finally over... We enjoyed a breezy, sunny, but not too hot walk down from Plaza Argentina into Pampa de Leñas complete with multiple river crossings and the sore feet that come with a seemingly endless rocky trail. The camp at Pampa de Leñas turned out to be a ghost town... only the Rangers were there along with us and one herriero who was running a small mule team with our gear. The head ranger at the camp, Hugo, wished for me to pass on his hello to several RMI guides including JJ, Garrett, and Katrina. It's fun to see familiar faces like Hugo's over the years, and even though we only get to hang out over maté once a year we still feel like we know eachother. Anyway, our ragged team enjoyed a truly amazing meal prepared by Barco, our lone herriero which we devoured sitting around the fire. We ate a typical Argentine asado complete with roasted veggies, slabs of grilled beef, bread, and of course wine.
The next day was a bit of a slog but we managed to dispatch the remaining miles to the trailhead before the afternoon and before we knew it we were packed and on the van back to Mendoza. While the Rodrigo and the friendly staff at the Nutibara hotel are totally used to returning Aconcagua climbers there were certainly looks from other hotel guests while we were checking in. I guess they're not used to crews of people coming in dusty, sweaty, bleary-eyed, and stinking of mule farts with over a dozen filthy duffel bags piled in the lobby. Lucky for the people of Mendoza we cleaned up nicely and ate a casual meal at a nearby restaurant because we were a bit tired. We're saving our big celebration dinner for tonight at a fancy pants restaurant even though some of our comrades are gone already and others will be headed out this afternoon. Sorry amigos, you'll be missed.
I wanted to thank our whole team for their hard work in making this expedition a smashing success... but I especially wanted to thank Hannah and our local guide Rolo for working their butts off for the rest of the team. You guys are rad.
Well, that's about it... Until next time.
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
Hello Everyone,
Tommy and I wish we could be there for the celebration. It was great being with all of you. It was a truly amazing trip. Reaching the summit and enjoying the time on the trail with each of you was terrific. Congrats on a successful trip back to Mendoza. Thanks again for being willing to help me when the injury occurred.
A special thanks goes to Billy, Hannah and Rolo for being the best guides ever!!!!
Posted by: Rick Jordan on 2/2/2017 at 8:57 am
Hey ya Guy! Hope you’re having fun climbing mountains all the days! Stay safe and take pics for Bub!!
Posted by: Sharon Waters on 2/12/2017 at 9:09 am
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