Entries By jess wedel

Hola amigos!

It was a simple day today but that didn’t mean it was an easy one. Our main mission was to get everything packed for the upper mountain and sneak some rest in.

But rest when you’re at 14,000 feet isn’t the same as taking a long sweet nap at home. Our bodies are still hard at work adapting to these great heights.

We’ve stressed our systems significantly and just as we start to feel pretty good here, we’ll stress them again as we head higher up. That’s acclimatization for you!

Everyone is doing well — little headaches here and there, but appetites are still strong and spirits are high.

We got our backpacks packed for tomorrow — mostly food, stoves, pots, pans, ice axes, crampons, and all the things we don’t need at base camp. They are loaded. Most of us with around 50lbs.

The winds are blowing up high, but down here it is that perfect kind of Plaza Argentina evening — sun still warm, boots off, everyone horizontal in some version of “rest.”

Soon we’ll have dinner and then fall asleep in our luxury accommodations: sleeping bags, down jackets and the gentle symphony of tent fabric flapping in the wind.

Sending all our love to everyone back home.

RMI Guide Jess Wedel and the Aconcagua team

Monday, February 2, 2026 - 5:15 pm PT

Today we walked 8 miles from Casa de Piedras to Plaza Argentina Base Camp. I’m happy to report: we all made it in good form - big win! 

Highlights included:

We got the best send-off this morning from Jimmy and Eze, who somehow made gourmet meals deep in the Andes. Truly unclear how they do it, but the food was incredible.

We’re generally feeling… better. After all the travel, trail starts, and adjusting to the high, dry climate, it feels like we’re finally settling into expedition life. Routines are forming. Bodies are cooperating. Spirits are up. A miracle.

We started the day by yelping and laughing through the coldest glacier water imaginable. As we crossed that first river, Denis said, “A core memory was just created.” And despite the numb feet, standing there as the morning light hit the rocks and exploded into colors around us, it really felt true.

We FINALLY saw Aconcagua. Yes — actually saw her. The clouds cleared and there she was: gorgeous, massive, slightly intimidating. We got to stare at her all day, which felt pretty special (and mildly existential).

We played “I Spy a Guanaco” for most of the hike. I don’t know who won because we’re not competitive, but there were many, many guanaco sightings. And we got to hear them relincho. A yipping sound they make and also what the valley we ascended was named after - Relinchos valley.

And… we made it to Base Camp! Our home for the next four days. Tents are up, duffels are everywhere, and everyone suddenly looks like they’ve been living outside for weeks (it’s only been days but don’t tell the team I said that).

By the end of the day, I realized Denis was right — not just about that river crossing, but about the whole day. It really feels like one of those memories we’ll carry for a long time.

Tomorrow is our first rest day and we are very much looking forward to it.

RMI Guide Jess Wedel

Our Vacas fracas continued to Casa de Piedras (House of Stones).  The day started with a hearty breakfast where our fearless leader, Jess, discovered a majority of our team does not drink coffee. More java for the pros!

Pachamama blessed us with overcast skies and a gentle breeze as we pushed onward and upward amongst rusty red peaks and ethereal clouds.  Snow dusted distant summits down valley. Despite all this moisture, we managed to move camps without any rain!

The team passed a gorgeous herd of guanacos — a wild/native llama-like species.  We also stopped to admire a pack of mulas, getting shepherded up to camp.  The mules looked tiny, far across the braiding floodplain of the Vacas River.

We arrived at camp, where our incredible camp crew had prepared a delicious taco snack. We’ll refuel and rest ahead of our move to basecamp at Plaza de Argentina.

RMI Climber Munier and team

P.S. Today we used our imaginations as we were supposed to get our first view of the Aconcagua. The clouds had other plans but it was no problem for us because we are creative.

Mendoza → Penitentes → Pampa de Leñas

Today was our official launch into expedition mode.

We left Mendoza and headed up into the mountains toward Penitentes — where we packed, sorted, weighed our bags for the mules, and had that classic moment of “how is this possibly all my stuff?”

Then… plot twist.

The road was shut down.

For a brief moment it looked like the expedition might end before it even began, but Carlos the Great (our driver, legend, problem-solver) worked his magic and somehow snuck us through. Expeditions never start without a little hoopla.

From there: boots on, packs up, and we hit the trail. Officially beginning our ~30 mile journey toward base camp.

Carlos sent us off properly with some rock and roll. Song of the day: Hard as a Rock by AC/DC (I told you he was a legend).

We rolled into Pampa de Leñas after a lovely cloudy walk. It lightly rained here and there. That combined with a slight breeze kept us feeling cool and happy. Spirits are high and the Andes are already delivering.

Drop a song in the comments for tomorrow’s walk — we need all the beats we can get. 

RMI Guide Jess Wedel and the Aconagua team 

Walking back from dinner tonight, we were talking about the daily dispatch and I asked, “so… what should we include?”

Unanimously, everyone said: “the tornado hurricane lightning downpour.”

This was said as we stepped over fallen tree branches and ducked under hanging power lines. So yes today was eventful.

Was that the worst weather of the trip? We sincerely hope so. Ideally, we’re getting it all out of our system now while we’re still in Mendoza.

Picture this: it’s mid-afternoon. We’ve just wrapped our big orientation meeting (what to expect, how to pack, what’s the mountain actually like…) and finished gear checks. Everyone is scattered around town doing last-minute shopping, soaking up the city. I’d just gotten back to the hotel and noticed the sky turning that color. You know the one. As the wind started picking up, I crossed my fingers that everyone had already made it back. 

Spoiler alert: they had not.

Cardboard was flying through the air. Tiny birds were fighting for their lives. Water was pouring through elevators and doorways. Hail, graupel, and torrential rain come down all at once. Streets flooded. Ancient trees went down. One of us got stuck at a gear shop for over an hour and eventually just… swam home. Another tried to wait it out under the awning of a music store (with guitars in the window, for added drama), but eventually gave up and sprinted through the flash floods back to the hotel.

It was truly wild.

So while today was supposed to be a calm, uneventful Mendoza day, it turned into something a little more chaotic. But the skies eventually cleared, we walked past town clean up crews to a delicious dinner, and now we’re all back, dry(ish), and ready to hit the trail tomorrow.

Hopefully it will be a sunny bluebird day. 

RMI Guide Jess Wedel and the Aconcagua team 

P.S. Yes, of course we had more gelato. I think amongst the team we’ve tried at least 15 flavors since arriving. The great debate about the best one will continue until we’re back off the mountain for more. 

We’ve officially arrived in Argentina and the team is finally together — which means the expedition has truly begun (because nothing counts until everyone and every bag is at the table).

Today was all about our first chance to sit down as a full group. After a long couple days of flights, luggage wrangling, and crossing hemispheres, we gathered for dinner to swap stories, meet faces that until now only existed on email threads, and confirm the important things — like who packed the best snacks.

Which brings us to the real highlight: our first gelato stop. Not our last, but a very important milestone nonetheless. Here’s a photo. Proof of life. Proof of carbs.

The energy is high, the team is already laughing, and somehow everyone still seems optimistic about carrying heavy packs into the Andes. A strong sign.

Tomorrow we’ll dive into gear checks, a full orientation meeting, and some last-minute shopping around Mendoza before we start heading toward the Vacas Valley. For now, we’re soaking up being together in the same place, enjoying the calm before the climb, and leaning into the very scientific expedition strategy of starting with joy, caffeine, and gelato.

So far, so good. ����️

RMI Guide Jess Wedel and team

Early this morning, RMI Guide Jess Wedel led her team to the summit of Mt. Baker via the Easton Glacier route. After taking in the stunning views from the top, the team descended safely back to Sandy Camp. They'll spend one more night there before making their final descent to the trailhead tomorrow morning, wrapping up a successful and rewarding climb.

Nice work team! 

This morning at 6:15 AM, the Four-Day Climb teams, led by RMI Guides Jess Wedel and Alan Davis, reached the crater rim of Mt. Rainier. The teams were rewarded with perfect weather and improved route conditions, allowing for a safe summit experience.

After taking in the views and celebrating on the summit, the teams made their way back to Camp Muir. There, they took time to rest, refuel, and reflect on the morning’s achievement before continuing their descent.

Now en route to Paradise, the teams are expected to arrive back at RMI Basecamp later this afternoon.

Congratulations to today’s climbers for their determination, teamwork, and a successful summit.

The Easton Glacier Climb, led by RMI Guide Jess Wedel, reached the summit of Mt. Baker on Monday morning. The team enjoyed a smooth climb with good weather and clear views from the top. After a successful summit, they spent one more night at camp before making their way back to the trailhead this morning.

Great work by everyone involved!

PC: RMI Guide Arianna Drechsler

The Four Day Climbs enjoyed clear skies and a light breeze on the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Led by RMI Guides Jess Wedel and Mike Bennett, the teams were able to enjoy the views from the summit before beginning their descent around 7:30 am. The teams will be back in Ashford this afternoon to celebrate.

Way to climb!