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
Thank you for the updates. I loved your song!
Lots of Love from 8000
Babs xox
Posted by: Barbara Lynn Bloemsma on 1/22/2015 at 9:18 am
Linz - I’m getting a desperate feeling that I need to walk on some rocks. Does walking down the gravel road in Indiana qualify as scree? Wish I was there. Rock on girl! Pop
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
Looks super cold! Lucy and Corell are speedy ladies and deceptively strong. No doubt they were climbing up with ease. Love reading each day. Take care of yourselves and super proud of you and the team for taking this on.
Posted by: Kathryn LeBey on 1/21/2015 at 7:03 am
Hola Glen, glad you had a good weather day and did well on the climb to Camp One. All that training is paying off. The limerick was great! How about one for when you reach Camp two? Love, Katalina
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
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
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
Glad to know you are all moving up the mountain safely. The picture of those little yellow tents is making me homesick for the mountains! Have fun and rest up.
Xoxo. Renee
Posted by: Renee on 1/20/2015 at 11:59 am
Linz
Grab me a couple breaths of that good old mountain air. Soak up the awesomeness. Climb strong, girl. Wish I could be there. Poppy
Hey everyone out there. Hopefully you can hear me, my voice is a little raspy. This is Team 4. We are on the summit. Feel free you guys to give a hoot-and-holler... We are on the summit of Aconcagua! It is a beautiful day up here. The weather man was way wrong with the winds. Maybe a little breeze, but really nice day on the summit of South America's highest peak. Everyone give a shout out... Everyone says hello to friends and family. We still have some work to do to get downhill, but everyone's doing real well. They say hi and we''ll touch base when we get down to Basecamp tomorrow. We got a lot of work here to get down and recover and refuel, but everyone's doing fantastic. Take care everyone. This is Team 4 out on the summit of Aconcagua.
RMI Guide JJ Justman
RMI Guide JJ Justman calls from the Aconcagua summit!
Are you for real?!
JU did her homework today with me and even read for 20 min!!! I’d say that is about equal to your Summit day.
Posted by: G on 1/20/2015 at 7:57 pm
CONGRATULATIONS TO SUE AND THE WHOLE TEAM!!!!! The highest peak in the world outside
of the Himalayas! Wow! So Sue, Cactus to Clouds and Whitney in a day this year should be easy by comparison. Be safe on the way down and looking forward to happy trails this year in our SoCal mountains.
Jambo! The team is off the mountain, safe and sound. Summit day, yesterday, was really great but it sure was nice to reach the end of the trail today. The weather has continued to hold up great for us. We had a little rain last night but it didn't hit until we had all finished in dinner and retreated to our tents. This morning we had an early breakfast and got on the trail by 8 am. This team descends very well and we all made it down by 11 am. We are headed back to the Dik Dik Hotel for some very needed showers before safari starts tomorrow.
On a family note, Jason C's wife and children met us at the park gate, he was literally running down to meet them and they would like to wish Esther a happy birthday.
One more shout out to Mrs. Sadler's class at Midlothian High.
Here's a pic from the summit!
That's all for now.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Thank you for the updates. I loved your song!
Lots of Love from 8000
Babs xox
Posted by: Barbara Lynn Bloemsma on 1/22/2015 at 9:18 am
Linz - I’m getting a desperate feeling that I need to walk on some rocks. Does walking down the gravel road in Indiana qualify as scree? Wish I was there. Rock on girl! Pop
Posted by: Les on 1/21/2015 at 6:14 pm
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