RMI Expeditions Blog
Posted by: Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Torres del Paine
We somehow timed our rest day well with the weather. As it rained cats and dogs we drank coffee, lounged on couches, and took naps in the lodge. We did venture out in the weather this afternoon for a boat ride in a zodiac dodging icebergs. After making plenty of Titanic jokes, we nosed the boat into a large nunitac, a rock island in the middle of a glacier, and hopped out. We donned crampons, helmets, and ice axes for exploring Grey Glacier and headed up the ice. It was full of waterways, ice sculptures, and dune-like landscapes. Our expedition left us wet and ready for dinner. Let's hope either our gloves dry or the weather clears for tomorrow.
RMI Guide Christina Dale and Team
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Three days ago we were summiting Aconcagua. Last night were laying in the dirt looking up at the stars. Today, we are eating at a restaurant surrounded by people and cars, and longing for our beds at the hotel. So quickly we have left the solitude of Aconcagua and rejoined the hustle and bustle of the city. We all look like new people - showered and in street clothes. It has been quite a journey, certainly a cause for celebration. As this adventure winds down and we all fly back to our homes, we will reflect on this time together and what we accomplished. Hopefully after some rest and while flipping through the photos, another adventure will be planned and the process will start all over.
Till next time,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
Posted by: Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Torres del Paine
Congratulations to the team for succeeding on such a tough day. We crossed over the John Gardner pass today in the wind, rain, and snow. We started hiking early in the morning to get a start on the long day ahead. The first hour or two we spent dodging mud pits by balancing on wet slippery roots. The next two hours we headed up, and up, and up over scree and through river beds. Once on top of the pass, the fun began and the next six hours of the day we spent walking down steep rocks and slippery mud.
Today's team member highlight goes to a woman who self proclaimed "this is the hardest thing she's ever done." She is a strong and graceful social worker from Wisconsin. We are all lucky to travel through this rugged Patagonia landscape with her.
Now we celebrate our strenuous day though very challenging weather, at the Grey hut where we'll be for two nights. The hut is full of people huddling around the fireplace to dry out layers. After the past three nights of quiet huts or camping it is nice to have the luxuries of this lodge but it seems a little louder than we're used to. The team is all happy to have a rest day tomorrow with a chance to explore the Grey Glacier.
RMI Guide Christina Dale
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,000'
It was the walk the never seemed to end. Today we began our walk down valley. Combining two days of walking on the way in into one for the way out makes for a long day. This time however we have a light at the end of the tunnel. As we walk, we dream of showers, beds, and the carne asada dinner that awaits us. The showers and beds await us for tomorrow. Tonight we don't set up any tents but instead sleep under the star filled sky. Tomorrow is our last day in the valley. We have finally reached the end.
Goodnight,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
Good night all….it’s been fun to follow your journey!! Congratulations and welcome back to civilization!
Posted by: Dr. J on 2/7/2019 at 8:07 pm
Posted by: Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Torres del Paine
We spent the day walking along the Perro's River from Dickson to Perro's Camp. It is named Perros, Spanish for dog, because legend has it that when ranchers used to live here and cross the rivers on horseback, some dogs would get swept away in the river. The story goes that the dogs formed a pack of wild dogs that still roams this land and if you listen closely you can hear barking at night. The river flows through the oldest forests in the park that have large trees because when the glacier move through this valley it churned up the soil leaving it loose and easier for deep root systems to form.
It was enjoyable to hike under their lush green canopy as sun was filtered through. Also, great to have a day with no wind. It gave our sun and wind chapped cheeks a rest. But our cheeks are rosy now after some wine and cheese snacks and sitting around laughing at our wildlife biologist's stories of botflys. This group has so much fun learning each other's backgrounds and sharing tales. We even had to come up with a system to determine the exaggeration level. But that's for another blog. Now we are settling in preparing for John Gardner pass tomorrow. A little intimidating with its steep ascent and decent and many miles but I'm sure this group will do well and come out smiling.
RMI Guide Christina Dale
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
We have been going up and up this mountain for the last three weeks and now we get to make our way down. We left High Camp this morning with our eyes set on Base Camp. A place where there are chairs and tables, wifi, showers, and delicious food...all the incentive you need to keep your tired feet moving. After dropping nearly 6,000' in elevation, the air feels thicker. The team did a great job getting down and deserved some celebratory drinks. It definitely feels good to be down. As for tomorrow, we continue our downward trend to our very first camp on day one, Lenas where we will fill our bellies with a traditional carne asada feast. Our bellies are already growling.
Adios,
RMI Guides Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello and team
Posted by: Christina Dale
Categories:
They call our camp tonight "Planet Dickson" because it feels otherworldly. It is a small peninsula of land that sticks out into the emerald waters of Lake Dickson which are dotted by small icebergs. With no roads to here and horses grazing all around it is paradise. You can skip perfectly flat rocks off its shores or pick the rather bitter Calafate berries around its green lawns.
We had a long day on the trail so everyone was happy to see the hut this afternoon. The trail gave us an authentic experience of Patagonia's weather and "Patagonia flat" terrain. The weather here goes from light rain, to hot sun, to gusting winds, to dark skies, to hot sun again in 10 minutes. It is a moody teenager. "Patagonia flat" is how the locals refer to terrain that goes up and down a lot. Tomorrow will bring some more hills and views of hanging glaciers. The team is doing great and in awe of each view.
RMI Guide Christina Dale
Posted by: Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Torres del Paine
We all felt like this was a long approach to the trail head, what with the flying for two days and a bus ride the next, but well worth it. We finally hit the trail at noon today and were instantly swept into the beauty of the Patagonian landscape. Happily walking and talking we passed through forests of lenga trees, in the beach family, and through the golden grass lands. All the lakes and streams here are a different shade of turquoise based on which glaciers feed them.
After pulling into Seron Camp we had wine and cheese for appetizers, a stroll by the river, and an amazing dinner of salmon. All a little travel weary, we'll get good sleep tonight and be ready for more tomorrow. Everyone is doing really well and send their best to those following!
RMI Guide Christina Dale
Great Photos - lovely camp site- Keep trekking
Posted by: peter von Mertens on 2/7/2019 at 1:47 pm
I’m so glad to be able to
read about your adventure. Love seeing the photos !
(Hayley’s mom)
Posted by: Rita Christodoulou on 2/6/2019 at 5:27 am
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
The big day finally arrived. We woke at a reasonable time, fired the stoves, and began sorting through the required items we would bring on summit day. As we left camp you could see the pyramid shadow of Aconcagua as the sun rose and created a beautiful view. Thus began our 12 hour day. There were hard stretches and harder stretches, but the team gritted their teeth and persevered. They gave it everything they had and came out on top. We couldn't have asked for better weather the entire day. After taking our summit photos and relaxing a little bit we made our way back down to camp. As promised, everyone ate dinner because if you don't eat your dinner you will not feel good tomorrow morning. Now it's time to let our bodies relax and recuperate for another big day tomorrow as we make our way back down to Base Camp.
Thanks for all the well wishes,
RMI Guides Hannah Smith and Team
Congratulations! Wishing you all a safe descent.
Uncle Mike
Posted by: Mille Smith on 2/7/2019 at 5:15 am
AWESOME Job Hannah!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/6/2019 at 3:32 am
RMI Guide Hannah Smith checked in from the summit of Aconcagua. She reported that the team did a great job climbing to 22,841' feet. The weather is great and everyone is doing well.
We expect to hear from the team again later today when they are back at camp.
Congratulations to the team!
On The Map
Congratulations Steven Pivnik and team. What an amazing accomplishment
Safe travels back to camp.
Posted by: Larisa Pivnik on 2/5/2019 at 8:30 pm
Congrats, Steve Pastor! Looking forward to hearing the details upon your return. Safe trip down and home.
Posted by: Jenifer Dore on 2/5/2019 at 8:00 pm
Ms. Smith: Once again a fascinating chronicle. We sure enjoy tagging along on your adventures and conquests.
Posted by: Christopher on 2/9/2019 at 8:11 am
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