Hello again everyone!
Today the team left behind the hustle and bustle of Quito and headed just north of the Equator to the comfortable and quite rural countryside. Once outside the city the landscape quickly turns into rolling farm land with farms pitched on steep slopes and isolated eucalyptus forest. Along the way we stopped by a smaller mountain called Fuya Fuya where we stretched our legs on a acclimatization hike. Normally we like to reach the top of this mountain but cloudy skies and the occasional rain kept us off the steep and slippery upper slopes.
We are just on the outskirts of a town call Otavalo, which is known for its massive market and we are relaxing at a wonderful Hacienda called "La Casa Sol". The team is doing great and looking forward to a nice quiet night here.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
We are settled in to our camp for the next several days in a situation that in mountain terms is very plush. We woke up early this morning to get our bags packed for the arryaros, and then prepared to cross the Vacas river. Some opted to brave the chilly temps, cold water, and multiple channels, rolling up their pant legs and wading right in. Others took the unique opportunity to ride a mule across. We all learned something new from our Norwegian teammate, who showed up with ultralight waders and cruised across without getting the least bit damp.
The sun was shining again today, but the increasing altitude and another welcome breeze kept things mostly comfortable. We saw more Guanacos today (the team no longer believes us when we tell them it's pretty rare), this time either playing or arguing with a game of king of the hill. As we came through the top of the Relinchos valley, we got our first really unobstructed views of Aconcagua and its sister peak Amegino. A dining tent, lemonade, and an assortment of peanuts, crackers, cheese, and olives greeted us when we walked into Plaza Argentina. With tents up, it was time for the afternoon siesta before a delicious chicken dinner prepared by Anita, the wonderful base camp cook. We're off to bed shortly, and after a lot of miles and hours the last three days, everyone is looking forward to a rest day tomorrow.
We send our best to everyone back home,
RMI Guides Pete, Juan, Alex, and crew
Wulp... Here we are settled in to camp up here at Aconcagua Camp 2 at over 18,000ft enjoying beautifully clear skies and a nice gentle breeze. Haas and Katrina are outside whipping up a tasty meal and hanging out with the team enjoying the afternoon. Not much else to report... The team is in great spirits and hoping for this great weather to hold!
Til tomorrow,
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
Glen, the scenery gets better as you guys climb higher and higher. We hope the weather holds good for your next two legs of the journey. At night, I bet the sky is beautiful and full of stars! Have a good rest then onward….
Posted by: John and Kathy Papile on 1/24/2015 at 8:11 am
Glen, mi amor, have you been doing some star gazing? I bet the stars are so beautiful. It snowed this morning in Texas and has been really cold. It’s been clearing this evening and the stars are bright. Miss you lots. Love, Katalina
Hi, this is Seth. We are all back at the Dik Dik Hotel where the team is getting set for the flight home.
We woke up this morning way out in the bush at Kikoti camp. After a great breakfast we split the group in two. Half the team went quickly back through Tarangire National Park and spent some time at Peace-Matunta Orphanage and school. The other half tried to find some leopards but they proved to be elusive. The elephants and giraffes were out in full force, though, so all was not lost.
We are all back together now and after an early dinner I'll be taking everyone to the airport where they will depart for the USA. As for me however; I'll be starting another trip shortly and that means another journey up Kilimanjaro and more wildlife viewing in Tanzania's beautiful national parks.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Today was another perfect day in the Vacas Valley. Several of us slept out last night under a stunning Milky Way while the southern cross worked its way across the horizon. We woke to clear skies, and cool temps, and motivated to get the miles ahead of us under way. We kept a breeze with us most of the way, but nonetheless, after two days in the strong southern sun, everyone is a little bit crispier. About an hour before camp, we came over a rise to see a family of 9 guanacos (a wild relative of the llama) grazing along the trail ahead. Normally very shy, they were about as curious towards us as we were towards them and we were able to snap a bunch of photos. It's pretty rare to get to see them, and especially so close, so we felt really lucky. We arrived in the mid afternoon, so there was plenty of time for a siesta before we filled our bellies, with pasta tonight. Everyone was a bit relieved for the break from huge portions of steak.
Tomorrow we climb through the Relinchos valley to base camp at Plaza Argentina. We'll check in from there. Hopefully this gorgeous weather continues to hold for us.
Hasta luego,
RMI Guides Pete, Alex, Juan, and team
Hey There this is Seth calling in from Kikoti Camp.
The internet is down here and there is no cell phone coverage, so I am calling in from the sat phone. We have had a great day on safari. Right after getting into the park we just happened upon three lions one male and two females. Literally within 30 seconds of being inside the National Park. We've seen about 150 to 200 elephants today and a bunch of giraffe. We got so close to an elephant, I could almost reach out and touch it! It was a great way to wrap up the trip. Out here at Kikoti camp it is nice and secluded. We've got the whole place to ourselves. They have accommodated us nicely, great folks out here. We looking forward to catching the sunset at the fire pit and saying goodbye to this trip. Everybody is going to be flying out tomorrow. We have a little bit of safari going on in the morning and then it is off the the hotel in Arusha, the Dik Dik. Everybody will get cleaned up, have some dinner and then all catch our flights home.
Great trip, good times! I'll check in again tomorrow.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Thank you Seth for keeping us at home with all your blogs and pictures. You made it most enjoyable for us back home. Glad the climb was a success. Your are a great blogger and send great information. Say hi to Chris and we will be glad to see him and hear all his experiences and see all the pictures.
Posted by: Diane Sadler on 1/22/2015 at 9:34 pm
I’ve enjoyed each and every update and appreciate the effort to keep those of us at home informed about some of the things our family member is seeing and doing while on this grand adventure. The whole team rocks and congrats to all for a successful trip.
Aaah, the rest day. El equipo de dos Guillermos is sun bathing, snacking on turkey jerky and guacamole, and letting our minds and legs recover from the carry yesterday. The team is in great spirits today, and since we have some extra time, we thought we'd have every climber give their own little shout out! Here it goes:
Glen: Mi carino. Te quiero. Abrozos y besos.
Lindsay: I'm feeling great and miss you all! Guess which limerick was mine?
Gerald: Missing me yet lol. Missing you! Charlotte, good luck Saturday.
Lucy: I miss you all and love you all so much. Walker, have you heard?!
Floyd: Feelin' great. Working hard at resting and sitting still. Tanya, hope you're feeling better. Miss you all and see you soon!
Corell: Feeling fine, weather is nice. Miss you all! Hope the hunting trip was good and the Eagle Scout manual is progressing. Thurston, remember to study! Love to everyone.
RMI Guide Billy Nugent & Team
What a treat to get personal notes with today’s update. I’m recovering, and the kids and I wish you all the best on the rest of your journey. XOXO
Posted by: Tanya on 1/23/2015 at 3:58 pm
Corell - Thurston stayed in Arkansas and got a job at Mack’s Prairie Wings selling AR-15s. Says he has found his true calling in life. I am going to sit in for him on his Eagle board and try to do his homework, though the math may be challenging. We just had long addition and subtraction when I went to school. Those ice formations in the picture look really cool - like terra cotta warriors of penguins, or midgets in the Klan, right? Love you!!!!!!!!!
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
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.
Missed the update today. Hope all is going well. Greetings to Michael.
Posted by: sesixth on 1/24/2015 at 10:34 pm
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