Aconcagua: Hailes & Team Rest Day

December 28, 2014

Posted by: Walter Hailes, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Our last rest day at Plaza Argentina brought blue skies and gentle winds. The crew spent a fair bit of time chatting idly over hot drinks, covering topics like: The Seattle Seahawks And are Americans actually hated or loved around the globe? Tomorrow we move to Camp 1. The crew is less than excited for the steep scree we have to ascend, but looking strong and optimistic. We look forward to congratulating the successful descending climb. RMI Guide Walter Hailes

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Call from the Summit!

December 28, 2014

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 22,841'

Hey Everyone – This is JJ and Steve with Team #1. Guess where we are? No, we are not sitting by the pool in Mendoza. We are on the summit of Aconcagua. The entire team is up here right now. They did a really great job. This is my 19th summit of Aconcagua and I have to tell you this, is the most beautiful day I have ever seen up here. But hey, you have heard enough from me. I am going to pass the phone around, so hopefully this will work. Some folks want to hi and etc to some people back at home. So here we go. [Listen to audio] Alright, so hopefully that work and we didn’t get cut out. This is Team #1 on the summit of Aconcagua. A beautiful day up here. We have a little more work to do. But I can’t tell you how great of team this was. What do you say team [Cheers]. We are tired. But we are going down hill, so that is the good news. Chao from the summit, RMI Guide JJ Justman

RMI Guide JJ Justman and the team call in from the summit of Aconcagua.

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congrats Matt! Sounded a bit winded though, need to train harder. Jimmy, Ross and I really appreciated the shout out ;).

Posted by: Michael Beck on 12/29/2014 at 9:17 am

There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.

Happy Summit day!!! Congrats!!!

Posted by: Chris on 12/28/2014 at 10:12 pm

View All Comments

Aconcagua: Hailes & Team Make Carry to Camp 1

December 27, 2014

Posted by: Walter Hailes, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

We have successfully finished one of the harder days on Aconcagua! The first trip to Camp 1 is always a surprisingly hard day. It is the first time on the trip that we carry heavy loads in our packs, until now the mules have done all the hard work. It is the first time some people have been above 15,000 ft, and definitely the first time in a long time for the rest us. Most importantly, the terrain on the way to Camp 1 is extremely challenging. The slopes we climb are very loose small rocks and sand. So every step we take up we slide back half way. You can imagine how physically and mentally taxing this can be, happily everyone did great. And we are excited for our second rest day tomorrow. RMI Guide Walter Hailes

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Seahawks win it 20 to 6 against Rams! Just thought some of you might want to know. Happy climbing!

Posted by: Katie Dunn on 12/28/2014 at 5:09 pm

Nice work, Colin and team! Enjoy some rest before your next leg of the climb!! Great picture.

Posted by: Sandy Evans on 12/28/2014 at 8:26 am

View All Comments

Aconcagua: Hailes & Team Check In from Basecamp

December 26, 2014

Posted by: Walter Hailes, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Hey everybody! Checking in from Aconcagua Basecamp after a wholesome meal of steak, potatoes, and red berries. Today was spent recovering from our three days of approach and preparing for our carry to Camp 1 tomorrow. These days can often be long but this one seemed to breeze by due to great conversation with great people. We spent hours telling stories and joking around, with the laughter alleviating any sign of an altitude-related headache. Now the sun has set, lighting the clouds to the east in brilliant blues, purples, and pink. As the stars rise we drift to sleep looking forward to climbing high on this beautiful peak tomorrow. Thanks for tuning in! RMI Guide Walter Hailes

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

we so look forward to the daily updates and in a small way sharing you amazing journey—hi darrin and all mom and dad

Posted by: huth"s on 12/28/2014 at 5:45 am

What a great experience this must be! Love getting a glimpse through the blog and pictures. Continued wishes for a safe climb!!

Posted by: Sandy Evans on 12/27/2014 at 11:28 am

View All Comments

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Rest Day at Camp 2

December 26, 2014

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately, Chase Nelson

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

Team 1 is back!!! Thanks to Steve's genius technology skills. The team is resting today at Camp 2 which is at 18,000 feet. Everyone is doing great! As a matter if fact, I can't remember another team that was on equal level in terms of strength. If all goes well we should have a fantastic summit day. We are shooting for the summit on the 28th so keep your fingers crossed! RMI Guide JJ Justman

On The Map

Aconcagua: Hailes & Team at Plaza Argentina

December 25, 2014

Posted by: Walter Hailes, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Christmas Day was a little different for us this year than the usual gift giving and big meal with the family. We moved into our new home for the next several days, Plaza Argentina, our base camp. After a great three-course dinner of soup, lasagna, and rich dessert, we discussed some of our holiday traditions including fondue donuts and chocolate coins. We miss you all back at home and hope you had as happy a Christmas as we have had. RMI Guide Walter Hailes

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Do something today that your future self will thank you for.

Posted by: Chris on 12/26/2014 at 4:14 am

Equipo Hailes we miss you all as well. We observe your accomplishments each day individually (GO VIV!!!!) and as they say in Spanish el equipo, the team. A strong team is what counts both on the mountain and in everyday life.

Bob

Posted by: Bob on 12/26/2014 at 3:43 am

View All Comments

Aconcagua: Hailes & Team Reach Casa de Piedra

December 24, 2014

Posted by: Walter Hailes, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 10,550'

Hey everyone! Today the team made it to Casa de Piedra, our second camp of the trip. Everyone did well with the hike up the valley despite being blasted in the face with 25 mph winds! We even got our first view of the mountain right before we entered camp. I would guess that we shot well over 100 pictures between all of us. Now it is dinner time, I think Walt is whipping up a stew with lots of fresh vegetables. The winds are calming down so I think we'll have a few laughs, head to bed, and try to envision sugar plum fairies as we hope for a visit from Santa. Happy holidays folks! RMI Guides Walter Hailes, Ben Liken and Stoney Molina

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hey Darrin,
The pics look great! I’m sure the views real time are crazy….keep hammerin away I wiil all be worth it at the summit!
John Bone

Posted by: John Bone on 12/25/2014 at 6:10 pm

Merry Christmas Colin! We miss you here, celebrating Christmas with Mom & Michael. I am following your climb & eager daily to get updates. We love you, Stevi, Curtis & Eboni

Posted by: Stevi on 12/25/2014 at 5:58 pm

View All Comments

Aconcagua: Hailes & Team Start the Trail into the Vacas Valley

December 23, 2014

Posted by: Walter Hailes, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

First day on the Aconcagua trail and even though it was hot, we had a nice breeze blowing most of the day. We were all very thankful to have that wind. We moved well on the trail enjoying the rigid high desert beauty. We also continued to tell stories of loved ones at home and a few misadventures. RMI Guide Walter Hailes

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Love following your adventure each day…..be safe and enjoy

Posted by: Jean P on 12/24/2014 at 3:29 pm

Looking good Viv, enjoy every minute!!! Happy Holidays to the whole team!!!!

Anna

Posted by: Anna on 12/24/2014 at 8:21 am

View All Comments

Aconcagua: Hailes & Team are Packed and Ready for the Trail

December 22, 2014

Posted by: Walter Hailes, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

This is always a big day, permits, buying last minute supplies, traveling to Penitentes, gear checking, and packing. Luckily it went as smooth as possible. Our one hiccup was accidentally ordering everyone the same special at lunch which was made for two people. So each of us ate a two-pound steak, papas Freitas, salad, and two empanadas. Or as much as we could handle of the giant meal. Well it's off to bed for our final night in a bed for several days... I can't wait RMI Guide Walter Hailes

Aconcagua: December 20th -Walter Hailes & Team Arrive Mendoza

December 21, 2014

Posted by: Ben Liken, Walter Hailes

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

The first step of having a great mountaineering trip is having a complete team with all our bags and I am happy to report that both our team members and all our bags arrived today in great shape. Once in town we were all able to buy last minute items here in Mendoza while enjoying an unseasonable cool but sunny day. Great summer weather. After a quick meet and greet we talked about what will happen over the next few weeks both on and off the mountain then headed out to one of the great eateries close to our hotel. We all shared the first, of what I am sure will be many funny, stories with each other and with bellies full of Argentina beef we all crashed at the hotel ready for another great day tomorrow. RMI Guides Walter Hailes, Ben Liken & Stoney Molina

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

merry Christmas Darrin…be safe and enjoy yourself…Lutey

Posted by: shawn lutey on 12/25/2014 at 11:27 am

looks so exciting!
enjoy and take in each moment safely darrin!

Posted by: lil-meshell on 12/24/2014 at 8:39 pm

View All Comments

See All Rainier Programs

See All Alaska Programs

See All North Cascades Programs

Custom Climbs

Difficulty Guidelines

Mt. Rainier Weather

Your Custom Trip

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

New Post Alerts:Expedition Dispatches

New Post Alerts:
Expedition Dispatches