RMI Expeditions Blog
We are all in Mendoza...the last 2 bags arrived late this evening and the Team is turned in and getting their last night of artificial air conditioning before heading out tomorrow. We will head to Los Penitentes to pack for the mules and sleep around 8,000'. Everyone is excited to begin the trek and escape the 100 degree weather here in town. Will be sending updates on our trip each day. Leave comments for your friends and loved ones in the blog comments, the moral support from back home goes a long way.
RMI Guides Mike King, Jess Matthews and Nick Scott
Our first Aconcagua team along with their guides reached the Summit of Aconcagua at 22,841' earlier today!
RMI Guide JM Gorum called in to happily report that the team reached the top, and have safely returned to camp. The team had absolutely perfect weather on their summit day, and everyone climbed well! The team is resting and refueling at camp. They will descend to Basecamp tomorrow where thicker air awaits!
Congratulations Team!
The team is all doing exceptionally well here at our new home at
18,000' on Aconcagua. The weather has been a bit unsettled, with scattered snow flurries and winds battering our tents throughout the day. This less than stellar weather has been a great excuse to hang out and rest to the best of our abilities, which is perfect because this will be our last rest day of the trip. Our plan is to make our summit attempt and hit a weather window in just a few days.
We have done our time up high, and everyone is excited for the opportunity to show their stuff. For now, we're eating mac and cheese in the tents, and finishing off this relaxing day in style. Once we leave here, we will be on the go until we get back to Mendoza, so we're savoring the bit of down time that we have left. We'll check in from Camp 3 tomorrow.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
On The Map
The team is settling in after a lovely dinner here at 18,000 ft. Everyone did an excellent job getting out of camp this morning, and we were the first ones to hit the trail. It turned out to be a good thing, because the circus was hot on our heals. We were the first team to arrive at
Camp Two, which guaranteed us some choice tent spots at this often crowded locale.
We arrived a little before 1 pm, and have just been relaxing, eating, and drinking since we got here. It's a pretty simple life. This camp stays in the sun for a few hours longer than Camp One, so we're all doing our best to photosynthesize before summit day. We will rest tomorrow, and finalize our summit plans based on what the weather gives us. We are within striking distance now, and everyone is excited. Bye for now.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
On The Map
Merry Christmas from all of the team members here at
Aconcagua Camp 1! There's not too much to report today. The team did an excellent job resting (they're pros), and everyone is more than ready to move uphill tomorrow. It was a beautiful day in camp, with a deep, dark blue sky that some attributed to our altitude, and therefore our proximity to outer space. I don't buy it, but we'll do our best to test that hypothesis tomorrow, as we move even higher. To Camp Two we go.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
It was the night before Christmas, and all through the tent not a creature was stirring...except for RMI's first
Aconcagua ascent. Our cache was placed at Camp Two with care, in hopes we will soon be moving there. 18,000 feet is so high, we may have seen reindeer fly by. We boot skied down to camp with glee, making the best of
Aconcagua's scree. We filled our bellies with tasty bites, before we lost the warm sunlight. We crawled into our tents snacking on treats, before dreaming of tomorrow's Christmas Day eats. Oatmeal and quesadillas they are the best, we can't wait to have a Christmas Day rest.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight.
RMI Guides JM Gorum, Avery Parrinello, and Hannah Smith
The team has left Basecamp! We are officially on the mountain now, and our timing could not have been better. When we arrived in Basecamp we were the only ones there, and as of yesterday evening there were 64 people. We have all of
Camp One to ourselves, however, and we should stay about a step ahead of the masses.
The group broke down camp quickly this morning, we ate a nice breakfast, finalized our plans with the Basecamp staff, and hit the trail by 8:45. A nice breeze kept things cool for us today. We got to camp around 1:15 this afternoon, and set up camp efficiently. This group doesn't mess around with tents. A couple hours of hardcore, downright chillin' brought us to an early dinner of ravioli, and lentils and rice for our more gluten-challenged climbers. A surly snow squall sent everyone to their tents after dinner, and that's where we are now. Everyone is feeling great, and our plan is to carry to Camp 2 tomorrow. The team sends their best to everyone back at home.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
On The Map
Basecamp was a happening place last night. And while there were a few events that disturbed our sleep, it was a great night overall. The Stars were clear, and a distant thunderstorm provided visual entertainment late into the evening. We skipped breakfast this morning in favor of a leisurely brunch prepared by our resident burrito experts, Hannah and Avery. Brunch was really the primary item on our agenda for today, followed by relaxing to the best of our abilities. After checking in with everyone, I can say that we are ready to move out of Basecamp and into higher places.
We'll check in from Camp One tomorrow.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
Excited to get moving to the upper mountain, our group headed to Camp 1. Soon after leaving we could see our future route up the mountain. With full packs we battled through scree fields crumbling beneath our feet and through penitentes chest high. At last we reached Camp 1 at 16200 feet where we stashed gear and got a glimpse of our future home. Soon we were were boot skiing down the scree fields getting back to camp in no time. We get into our tents tonight satisfied with the day's work and looking forward to a rest day tomorrow.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
Not much to report today. The team did an excellent job resting, with only minor restlessness. We ate a delicious burrito breakfast at a leisurely hour, and went for a short walk outside of
Base Camp to get the blood flowing a little bit.
After our walk we prepared our gear for the carry tomorrow, and checked in with the Base Camp doctors. Everyone got the stamp of approval to head higher. No surprises there. We're all rested up and ready for a big day tomorrow. We'll let you know how it goes.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
On The Map
Virg, So I forgot - Joe’s truck went to the crusher today - it broke down. He bought another one - perfect for traveling Loveland pass and snowboarding - It is a van! He can carry snowboards and snowboarders up the pass - perfect. Also I am ordering mom and dad a cell phone tonight. Their home phone is all staticy - something is going on with the land line. Love ya - be safe! Nora
Posted by: Nora Hall on 1/6/2018 at 5:34 pm
Hello Virg,
I thought I would share this weeks menu with you:
Miso-butter Salmon & Lo Mein Noodles - with cucumber & Cherry Tomatoes - seared salmon and noodle salad with umami-packed sauce with sweet white miso and mirin - springy fresh lo mein noodles with crisp cucumber, scallions and cherry tomatoes.
Sheet Pan Roasted Pork with fall vegetables and maple mustard sauce - hearty meal with rubbed pork blend sweet and smoky spices with medley of Brussels sprouts, carrots and Yukon gold potatoes and a drizzle of maple-sweetened creamy mustard sauce. Yum!!!
Love your sis - yum yum
Posted by: Nora Hall on 1/6/2018 at 5:21 pm
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