Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Resting at Base Camp

January 16, 2016

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Well, we made it to Base Camp yesterday! The team is moving well and feeling good despite our first abrupt change in elevation since the drive from Mendoza to Penitentes. We are now sitting pretty and all moved in at Plaza Argentina at an elevation of right around 4,200 m or about 13,800'. Anita and Griselda, head honchos here with Grajales, prepared us an over the top welcome dinner complete with soup, veggies, a slab of beef, and tiramisu for dessert! Despite the extravagance of the meal the living still isn't super easy up here and we knew were we are all in for a little bit of discomfort trying to sleep up here on our first night. Today is another sunny and glorious day up here at Plaza Argentina. The gang actually fared quite well through the night and enjoyed a casual wake up this morning. We all hung out and drank real coffee along with enjoying stuffed breakfast burritos complete with prosciutto and grilled veggies thanks to Katrina's solid work in the kitchen. We'll probably burn the rest of the day today preparing both our group and personal loads for tomorrow's carry up to Camp 1. Everyone's hanging out grooving on the Andes and looking forward to tomorrow's foray higher. That and wondering how the Seahawks are gonna do against Carolina. RMI Guide Billy Nugent

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Yo Branch,

Those are some good lookin Donkeys you got there. Now you know what it’s like to hang around West Point in the middle of winter.
Hey, what are the bathrooms like?
You know, I see you doing this and I think, wow! You could have been a Navy Seal and probably led the raid to get Bin Laden.

Remember, one foot in front of the other and if you begin seeing Sharon Steinhauer, get on oxygen immediately.

745796 sends

Posted by: TJ on 1/18/2016 at 2:52 pm

Randy
Sounds like things are going well for my mountain man. You definitely have the better weather right now…windchill of -20 here tonight…yikes! All is good on the homefront…Lucas got a promotion at work and Allison is happy with all her classes. Think of you often and miss you!
Love Lisa

Posted by: Lisa Irwin on 1/17/2016 at 3:28 pm

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Check in from Pampa de Lenas

January 15, 2016

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

¡Hola de Pampa de Leñas! After a last night in a real bed we got outta Penitentes and hit the trail. Needless to say the team is psyched to finally be on the move after the months of anticipation and the seemingly endless packing and repacking. We enjoyed clear skies and a decent breeze that despite kicking up a bit of dust was actually pleasant in keeping the temps manageable. Everyone moved extremely well and is currently lounging around camp waiting for the herrieros to finish up grilling up some giant slabs of beef for us. Steak and wine, and a crew of happy campers. Not bad for our first day on the hill. All for now! RMI Guide Billy Nugent

On The Map

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Hi Heather and all of you up there.
Sorry to hear about the weather. The New Yorkers have been hit by heavy snow and the weather system is heading to us across the Atlantic but will change to strong winds and heavy rain for us this week. Not quite as bad as you are getting.
Stay positive and try and meditate if the storm noise allows!
Love Diane and Paul

Posted by: Paul and Diane on 1/24/2016 at 11:13 pm

The tough part begins - our thoughts are with you - stay safe

Love you,
Dad & Luz

Posted by: Dad & Luz on 1/16/2016 at 5:07 pm

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Finish Climb Preparations

January 13, 2016

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

The team met up around 8 a.m. for a not too early breakfast. Afterwards we split up and set out on the streets of Mendoza, running all of our last minute errands. We visited a couple gear shops, hit the pharmacy, grocery store, all the usual stuff before reconvening for a team lunch at a sidewalk cafe. Nicolas, our liaison from Grajales, was kind enough to deal with all the permit rigmarole that is normally a complete pain. So the pace of the morning wasn't nearly as rushed as in years past. Our transfer out to Penitentes showed up at the hotel and we loaded up our gear and hit the road. The drive to Penitentes is absolutely gorgeous, rolling through the vineyards outside of the city, up into the foothills, and eventually making our way into the heart of the Andes. Four hours on the road brought us to the Grajales packing facility where we unloaded and spent the rest of the afternoon packing up for the mules and prepping for tomorrow's start up the hill. Psyched to hit the trail... RMI Guides Billy Nugent and Katrina Bloemsma and team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hello Dear Rob !!

.....and thank you for the updates Billy ! Just know that there are many of us at home checking the blog multiple times a day for any and every bit of the story .... So don’t be hesitant to overload us with detail :)

RMI really does it right .... Wine and grilled steak ....And with chimichurri I bet!

Relieved to hear the temps are significantly warming at the summit ..... I never thought I’d be happy to see a -7 windchill forecasted for later next week (rather than the -35 I’ve been seeing).

Hoping and praying for continued health and goodness for you and all your comrades. Feeling especially confident since your flock of angels are comfortable with the altitude ;) and cared for you so well in Mendoza!

Missing you tons and tons but so happy for all you are experiencing.

..... Always in my thoughts and prayers…M.

Posted by: MFG on 1/16/2016 at 5:03 pm

Dear Dad (Rick),

I miss you sooooo much, I hope you are doing all right, and I love you.

From,
Hillary

Posted by: Hillary and Hallie Haggard on 1/15/2016 at 4:38 pm

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Aconcagua: Billy Nugent & Team Meet in Mendoza

January 12, 2016

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Hi everybody and welcome to the dispatch blog for this year's early January RMI Aconcagua expedition. Billy here checking in from lovely Mendoza, Argentina, where the last of our team (and a bunch of missing luggage) has finally arrived. We had an informative meet and greet this evening poolside at the classic Nutibara Hotel, a haven for Aconcagua climbers from all over the world, where we all got to know each other and run through some important details about our upcoming adventure. Afterwards we headed out on the town for our first team dinner, enjoying the steaks, wine, and Italian influenced food Mendoza is famous for. It looks like we have a very fit and experienced climbing team this year which bodes well for our chances up on the mountain. We'll check in again tomorrow from Los Penitentes where we'll be packing up our loads for the mules and finishing up the last of our preparations before heading onto the mountain. RMI Guide Billy Nugent

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Gerald from team 2015 wishing you all a safe climb! Remember it’s about the journey not the destination :)! However let’s face it the destination is pretty AWESOME! Can’t say enough good stuff about Billy and Katrina. Love Love Love e;m!!! You guys are in good hands with this A team! Watch listen and learn…They have so much experience and knowledge not to mention their professionalism as guides was invaluable to the 2015 teams success. Been thinking about joining you in Ecuador Billy Feb.2nd… What no Katrina! Maybe not then LOL!!!

Have a GREAT climb team!

Gerald

Posted by: Gerald Flynn on 1/13/2016 at 9:06 am

Randy…your epic adventure begins! Best of luck and try to stay warm. I will think of you every time I crawl under our nice warm electric blanket. I love you! “The mountains are calling and I must go.” John Muir
-Lisa

Posted by: Lisa Irwin on 1/13/2016 at 8:32 am

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Resting at Base Camp

On The Map

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Check in from Pampa de Lenas

On The Map

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Finish Climb Preparations

Aconcagua: Billy Nugent & Team Meet in Mendoza

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