RMI Expeditions Blog

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Move to Camp 1

January 20, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,200'

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

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

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

Posted by: Katalina on 1/20/2015 at 7:14 pm

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Descend to Basecamp

January 20, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

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

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Good to hear you’re down safe and sound Susan. The altitudes are incredible and the views awesome. I look forward to some photos and stories.

Congrats!

Danny

Posted by: Danny on 1/24/2015 at 5:02 pm

Sue,

We are ALL proud of you for what you’ve accomplished. Now get down safely and enjoy some Malbec!

Posted by: Linda on 1/22/2015 at 6:31 am

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Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Visit Lake Manyara National Park

January 20, 2015

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

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

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Back Safely to High Camp

January 19, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 19,600'

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

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congrats to all! Love to David and Jenny!
-Grammy

Posted by: Ann Hines on 1/20/2015 at 6:09 pm

Hi Sue, Jo & Robert and all,
Congrats and can’t wait to hear the story and see the pics of your achievements on the trip.
Well done all!

Posted by: Russ Frederickson on 1/20/2015 at 6:42 am

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Rest Day After Carry to Camp 1

January 19, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

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

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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

Posted by: Les on 1/20/2015 at 6:53 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Summit!

January 19, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 22,841'

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!

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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.

Posted by: Norm Symonds on 1/19/2015 at 11:00 am

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Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Descend to Mweka Gate

January 19, 2015

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

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

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congratulations Ryan! You and the team must be so happy with a successful summit. On to the Safari!

Posted by: Shirley on 1/20/2015 at 4:54 pm

Congratulations Terry, Marylynn and Jordan!

Posted by: Jennifer on 1/20/2015 at 6:03 am

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Carry to Camp 1

January 18, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Howdy all... Checking in after a busy, busy day up here on Aconcagua. There was a bit of commotion buzzing around Plaza Argentina this morning with a bunch of helicopter flights coming in and out of basecamp requiring logistical assistance on our part that stalled us from getting out of the gate on our planned carry up to Camp 1. Luckily, what could have been a logistical nightmare was averted and despite the late start, our team made a great effort and put in a big cache of personal gear, food, fuel, and other group gear up at ~16,400' right in the heart of Camp 1. We're back down here at Plaza Argentina, tired after a long day on our first foray onto the upper mountain but psyched that the team performed so well despite the heavy loads. Spirits are high after a job well done and we hope to keep the good times rolling through another rest/acclimatization day at basecamp tomorrow. Signing off... RMI Guide Billy Nugent

Aconcagua: Justman & Team In Position for Summit Bid

January 18, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 19,600'

Sorry folks this is gonna be short. Our Aconcagua team is great and we are settling into high camp at 19,600 feet. There's a lot of work for the guides so we gotta run. Tomorrow is looking good for a summit attempt so wish us luck!! RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Robert, Jo and the group,
May the winds be calm, the view magnificent and your goal reached! Can’t wait to share the adventure. Pat

Posted by: pat ward on 1/19/2015 at 8:28 am

Ok Sue,Jo & Robert and all,
Time to finish that big lump of rock, snow and ice off! Looking to soon view well produced summit photos and video…..

Posted by: Russ Frederickson on 1/19/2015 at 7:51 am

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Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Summit!

January 18, 2015

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Elevation: 19,340'

January 17, 2015 - 8:25 pm PT Hey, this is Seth checking in from the summit of Kilimanjaro! We are on the Roof of Africa. We had a great day, just clear skies and no wind was the story. A little bit chilly. Also, not very people on the route, so we actually were on top by ourselves for a solid 10 or 15 minutes before the next group came up, which is a total treat and a first for me. Everybody is feeling great, feels like we want to get back down to some thicker air. We are gonna head on down right now. Actually everyone has ditched me and I'm going to go catch up. That's it. We'll check in from high camp when we get back down. All is well in Africa. 11:32 pm PT Hey, this is Seth checking in again. We have all returned back to high camp, safe and sound, although all are a little bit tired. We are going spend some time packing up, get some food on board and then we're going to head to our last camp for this Kili climb. Should be down there sometime mid-afternoon and then tomorrow we'll be walking off the mountain. That's it for us. We'll check in again tomorrow. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

RMI Guide Seth Waterfall calling in from the Kilimanjaro summit.

Seth checking in once the team is at high camp after Kilimanjaro summit.

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congratulations to the whole team, especially to my awesome daughter, Ryan!! I have no doubt that new friendships have resulted from the teamwork needed for everyone to summit. I am in awe of each one of you. Great job everyone. You guys definitely rock!

Posted by: Shirley on 1/18/2015 at 2:24 pm

Congratulations to the team!! You did it! Looks beautiful. What an accomplishment. Matt hope you took lots of pictures!! Stay safe.

Posted by: Barb McAllister on 1/18/2015 at 12:52 pm

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RMI Expeditions Blog

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Move to Camp 1

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Descend to Basecamp

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Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Visit Lake Manyara National Park

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Back Safely to High Camp

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Rest Day After Carry to Camp 1

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Summit!

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Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Descend to Mweka Gate

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Carry to Camp 1

Aconcagua: Justman & Team In Position for Summit Bid

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Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Summit!

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