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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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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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: 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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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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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Resting at Camp 2

January 17, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

Hello RMI blog groupies! Guess what?! Team 4 is resting at Camp Two at 18,000 feet on Aconcagua! Exciting huh! After a casual morning the team talked about preparations for summit day on the 19th. We talked about what color long johns were in fashion for 2015...lime green and how to use the buff headwear in various ways...Steve's favorite...tube top! Jenny on our team took on Adam in a new game created called Rockcci ball...don't ask, simple things confuse me. We went for a casual walk to stretch the legs and get the blood flowing. We are ready to move to high camp and the team is ready! Let's Get it On!!! RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Hi Glenn, Frank and I are keeping posted on your climb….stay well! Looking forward to hearing all about adventure.

Posted by: Margie Grillo on 1/18/2015 at 8:12 pm

Safe and happy travels tomorrow and always!

Posted by: Dan Griswold on 1/18/2015 at 8:07 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Move to Camp 2

January 16, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

Occupation Camp Two is in full effect ladies and gents. Our Aconcagua team is thriving and jiving at 18,000 feet. It's the same old same old...eating, drinking soup, drinking mate, eating chocolate peanut butter cups and listening to opera. Yes! We have some class! Our plan is to rest up here tomorrow before we move to high camp and the hope is to summit on the 19th. Keep your fingers crossed for continued good weather. RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Hey Sue, Jo & Robert & all,
Opera at 18K…..well….anything but Rap works I guess?
Now get up that hill!

Posted by: Russ Frederickson on 1/17/2015 at 7:53 am

Congrats all on making it to Camp 2. We will definitely be thinking of you on the 19th and hope that all have a successful summit. Giulia and I went to a great puppet show tonight called Exaltation of Larks. The puppets were amazingly lifelike…five elderly nursing home patients scaled to the size of three year olds, sitting in wheelchairs made out of crutches and stroller pieces. Maybe you had to be there, but it was amazing. Wishing you all good hiking weather. M/N

Posted by: Nancy G Hines on 1/16/2015 at 8:34 pm

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Camp 1 Rest Day

January 15, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,200'

The main weather concern here on Aconcagua during the Summer is the wind. A typical day almost always produces blue skies. Every couple of weeks a system will roll through and produce some cloud cover and a little precipitation, but it's quite rare to have layered cloud decks and boiling fog out of the valleys. This morning though we had quite a nice change of scenery! Clouds had moved in overnight bringing along some moisture that glazed our camp in a layer of frost. At about 7:15am when the sun would normally hit our tents, heating them up and forcing us outside, we had cloud layers more typical of our native state of Washington. The layers were weak and broken. The sun beginning to burn them off produced pockets in which the sunlight could make its way through. From Camp I you have a beautiful view East down the Relinchos Valley where the evaporating cloud layers were putting on a tremendous light show. A nice treat on a mountain that routinely gives you blue skies and high winds! The team today will rest and prepare themselves for our move to Camp II. Everyone is excited to move up. Getting to Camp II means that, if the weather cooperates, we will have one more rest day and then move to Camp III to attempt the summit. There's finally a light at the end of the tunnel! But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, as with any expedition, you have to live in the now, and now we take care of ourselves. Eating, drinking, resting. Sounds luxurious, yea? Haha almost. Climbers always underestimate just how boring the rest day can be and how it can easily become anything but relaxing. Luckily our team is doing great with just about every aspect of expedition life, so if you were looking for some drama you might want to look at another blog! Everyone sends their best. All is well. Stay tuned! RMI Guide Steve Gately

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Hi Sue,

We’re thinking of you here and wishing you well. The clients are all impressed with your ambition. You go girl!

Posted by: Linda on 1/16/2015 at 7:34 am

Ok Sue, Jo & Robert,
R&R and then motor up to camp 2 then tag the top and that’s an order (so long as weather and safety cooperate)!! Holding positive thoughts for you kits and cats!

Posted by: Russ Frederickson on 1/16/2015 at 6:29 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Carry to Camp 2

January 14, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

Hey Everyone, Today Team 4 did a carry to Camp Two at 18000 feet. However, we didn't stop there. We were all feeling so good that after we dropped our gear at camp we ventured higher to 19000 feet. The team did great and we are now back at Camp One where 16200 feet is beginning to feel like sea level. Tomorrow we will have a rest day to fully recover and assist in acclimatizing even better. Thanks for following along! RMI Guide JJ Justman & Team

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David and Jenny
Hope everything is going well. I see the pictures on the blog. Keep warm and safe. Vaishu, Jai and Janita send their love
Vishnu

Posted by: vishnu on 1/14/2015 at 7:37 pm

Rob, Jo, and Sue,

Great work! I hope the weather has been cooperative, and that all of you are feeling well up there in the thin air. Heck, you’re up at jet altitudes, now! I’m sure there’s plenty of tea, powdered cow (good memory, Russ!), and maybe even fresh popcorn to keep your spirits up.

Thinking of your often,

Sarah

Posted by: Sarah Brown on 1/14/2015 at 6:58 pm

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Enjoy Views at Camp 1

January 13, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,200'

We've got another rock star crew baby! Team 4 is at Camp 1 at 16,342' feet and everyone is feeling great! The views are getting better by the minute. A few clouds are slipping away in the distance and the breeze is keeping us cool. We are sipping hot soup and simply soaking up the sights. Tomorrow we plan on carrying more goods and gear higher up and I anticipate everyone is going to do awesome!! If like to give a special message to my sister. Happy Birthday Jodi!!! RMI Guide JJ Justman & Team

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Enjoy a Rest Day at Basecamp

January 12, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

It's another day of rest for our Aconcagua team at Base Camp. Initially our team was wondering why we were going to take a second day of rest here. After yesterday's carry to Camp 1 at 16,000 plus feet the team understands. This mountain climbing is tiring work! We had a casual morning here at base. Steve and I made our famous home fried potatoes that even brought the Base Camp cooks out to get a plateful. After breakfast we went for a walk and got a great view of base camp from a whole different vantage point. Now team members are lounging, taking showers and ordering pizzas. Tomorrow we plan on moving up to Camp 1. If you don't mind, I need to address one of RMI's owners, the Legendary Joe Horiskey. Joe, please, no matter what happens between the Sea...what's their name again...and the Green Bay Packers, I hope we can still be friends! RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Holler mi Familia!
I hope you two are not only surviving but enjoying yourselves too. The rest of my trip in Colorado was great. Mom and I are going to see a puppet show about caring for elders with dementia on Friday…how will you be spending your Friday night? Dad I booked us a meditation retreat that takes place in Auschwitz in November. Love and miss you both!!

Dad-To a man standing at the edge of a cliff, progress is defined as taking a step backwards.

Jenny-What is happening within us, will create what is happening outside of us.

I BELIEVE IN YOU, SO YOU BELIVE IN YOU!

Love, G

Posted by: G on 1/14/2015 at 6:01 pm

Christmas cards arrived yesterday and they look great! Jenny, thanks for all of you did getting the artwork ready. David, your 30 are in the mail today, the rest will follow this week. I am going to MN this weekend so I will be home to retrieve you two intrepid hikers from ORD on the 27th. Love you both!
M/N

Posted by: nancy Hines on 1/13/2015 at 6:15 pm

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