Entries By jj justman

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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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

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

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

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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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

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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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Wake to Beautiful Skies and Carry to Camp 1

January 11, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Last night I was woken up at 2am by a flashing outside my tent. I thought to myself, "Who is taking photos right now!?" So I took advantage of being awake and got up to use the bathroom when I realized the flashing was actually coming from an enormous electrical storm nearly 50 miles east from basecamp. With a relatively large moon out, you could see the huge towering clouds stretching tens of thousands of feet into the air and the lightning was so intense and so massive that it was lighting up basecamp. How incredible! Never have I seen such a display of lightning! On a less exciting note the team woke up to PERFECT weather. Boring right? No, but I capitalize perfect because it truly was. Breathe less wind, blue skies and warm temps. Perfect for sticking your nose into higher altitude. Which is exactly what we did! The team made the first carry to Camp I (16,200ft) like they were walking out to retrieve the morning paper. Casually. Very impressive! We arrived at Camp I, took a short break, cached our gear and made our descent back to basecamp. I ran down ahead of the group and prepared some pitchers of juice, fresh fruit and sliced cucumber with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt for lunch. The team is now taking a well deserved siesta before dinner as we look forward to our last day in basecamp tomorrow. RMI Guide Steve Gately

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Run Forest Run! Kansas City is behind you Adrienne.

Posted by: Pat OBoyle on 1/12/2015 at 8:30 am

Congrats to you Green Bay Packers, JJ. What a hoof biter of a game!!!

~ Horatio

Posted by: Horatio on 1/12/2015 at 6:58 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Spend First Night at Bascamp

January 10, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

It is supposed to be a day of rest here in base camp but let's be honest! How can you rest when the Green Bay Packers are playing and there isn't a television in sight! Go Green Bay!!! Our Aconcagua Team is rocking it! After our first night at base everyone woke up feeling great! We had a great breakfast of scrambled eggs and now we are down to business getting ready for our carry to Camp 1. The team says hello to family and friends. Pass the word around of our blog and keep wishing us luck. But with a team like this, who needs luck! Start sending in your comments, we'd love to hear from you! RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

David, Good Luck. That’s a damn high mountain!!

Posted by: Lloyd on 1/11/2015 at 9:06 pm

G returned safely from Colorado this afternoon, and we had a nice visit with Irena. It finally warmed up a bit this weekend, but it is snowing for the fourth time since you two left. Should have given me lessons on using the snowblower. Had a great dinner with the Dunnes, Sullivans and Josses last night. Everyone missed you and had lots of questions about your trip. Pat has been looking for you on the live feed from base camp, but so far no Jenny or David sightings. Have a good day tomorrow. Be safe! Love, Mom/Nan

Posted by: Nancy Hines on 1/11/2015 at 8:25 pm

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Reach Base Camp

January 9, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

It always feels so good to get to Base Camp! This morning the team crossed the cold Vacas River and began the trek to our new home up the Relinchos Valley . We had clear skies and for once little to no wind to combat with which made everyone quite grateful! Upon arriving the cool staff had juice, cheese, cold meats and melon for us to recover with! For now the team will sent up tents, take a siesta and prepare themselves for our always delicious base camp dinner's. Tomorrow's agenda has us taking a rest day, life is rough! Stay tuned! RMI Guide Steve Gately & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hey Sue, Jo & Robert,
Congrats on reaching Base Camp. Enjoy your rest day and the food, and don’t forget your manners…..as on Kili, when preping your coffee remember to say “PLEASE pass the powdered cow”!
I predict your team will power up the hill on your carry to camp 2!

Posted by: Russ Frederickson on 1/10/2015 at 8:57 am

Keep up the good climb, sue and team. Love following your travels. Raining here in Orange county today and tomorrow.
Patty

Posted by: Patty on 1/10/2015 at 8:48 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Continue Trek to Base Camp

January 8, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 10,550'

Well well well! Here we are at Casa de Piedra at 11,000' plus feet. For those of you that no habla espanol, Casa de Piedra is Spanish for The house of...Piedra (God bless you Chris Farley). Team 4 had a beautiful walk into our second trekking camp. And of course as we looked up the Relinchos valley we had our first great view of Aconcagua. It is always breezy here at this camp so we are hunkered in for the time being. Tomorrow Base Camo!! RMI Guide JJ Justman & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Go Sue! Everything’s under control here. Enjoy and be safe!

Posted by: Linda on 1/9/2015 at 9:00 am

Robert, Joe, and Sue,
Pole Pole!
I can’t wait to read more of these blog entries, and imagine the incredible terrain through which you must be hiking. I’m thinking of you every day, and will be waiving from the lowly slopes of Mt Hood on a summit attempt tomorrow night. I can’t believe it has been almost a year since Kili… Happy early birthday to both of you ladies!
XoXo
Sarah

Posted by: Sarah on 1/8/2015 at 11:37 pm

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Aconcagua: Justman and Team Begin Trekking Toward Basecamp

January 7, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

Hey Everyone, This is Team 4. This is JJ, Steve, and Gonzalo and our great climbing team at Leñas, our first trekking camp. I'm sending a Google message. It's tough camp to get email out, but we had a great day walking in. Actually, it was cloudy skies thought it was gonna rain for a bit but it held off. Now we are in the beautiful sunshine here. We're making an assado dinner with the cowboys under an open camp fire. And we're actually watching as I speak Team 2 led by Walter Hailes walking in. It's his crew we wanna give a big congratulations to for a great job done up there making the summit! We will be providing dispatches now on a daily basis let you know how things are going. So far it's all smiles, giggles, and laughs. People were doing really, really well and we are keeping spirits high. We are going to have another great dinner and enjoy another beautiful walk here in the Vacas Valley tomorrow. Thanks for following along. Tell your friends, tell your family and everyone else to follow along. We will see you later on, bye bye. RMI Guide JJ Justman

JJ and the RMI Team checking in from Lenas.

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Safe and Sound at Basecamp

December 29, 2014

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

We are at Aconcagua Basecamp safe and sound. I just wrote an elaborate blog and as our team was telling stories I got involved and wouldn't you know it, my entire blog was erased! The team is safe, sound and having fun. The weather now is horrible up high. I don't mean to brag but we made the summit on the best day. Now the mountain is angry. But we are happy here in Basecamp. We are hiking out tomorrow and will be in Mendoza for New Year's Eve. This is officially our last blog post. Thank you so much for following along. RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

My fellow climbers…I am so proud of each of you. Outstanding…Happy New Year…Please have a glass of Malbec for me!

Happy New Year. Deb

Posted by: Debbi on 12/31/2014 at 10:57 am

Good job, See you soon JJ! Sue

Posted by: Sue Mamer on 12/30/2014 at 3:22 pm

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Entries By jj justman

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Camp 1 Rest Day

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Carry to Camp 2

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Enjoy Views at Camp 1

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Enjoy a Rest Day at Basecamp

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Wake to Beautiful Skies and Carry to Camp 1

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Spend First Night at Bascamp

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Reach Base Camp

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Continue Trek to Base Camp

Aconcagua: Justman and Team Begin Trekking Toward Basecamp

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Safe and Sound at Basecamp

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