The whole team has returned to city life.
A spectacular accomplishment on this, the tallest mountain outside the Himalayas. We spent our last night on the mountain looking up at the sky sleeping tent less under the stars,it's amazing to take in such a view--without the obstruction of any city lights. We were all awestruck as we looked out at the breathtaking scene--imagining the others worlds out there, just like the one we experienced at over 22,000 feet on the summit of Aconcagua.
The day hike to what was our first camp and our last was a healthy 18-miles. Upon arrival an amazing open fire meal of filet and chicken with potatoes, corn and onions thrown on the fire by our gear-carrying mule drivers. We gulped back various beverages and ate barehanded with Neanderthal dining manners!
At the end of it all, we had a four-hour hike to the trail head, where our local service folks Grajales Expeditions had a perfect hand off, gathering us up and transferring us on to the our three-hour drive to Mendoza. Thankfully, that included a snack of 60 empanadas along the way.
What we come away with from these sometimes grueling, expedition style climbs is tough to explain. As the team members make there way home the folks at security check at the airport can't imagine what immense power is being brought on board the plane today
Congrats team!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Congratulations Pepper and the entire team on your incredible success!! An outstanding accomplishment to be celebrated and cherished.
Posted by: Chi Dees on 1/26/2017 at 12:28 pm
Team,
You did a fantastic job. To get everyone, just think about that: everyone, to the top of the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas, is just outstanding.
Today our team enjoyed the long, meditative walk from base camp down the Relinchos Valley, and then down the Vacas Valley to our very first camp here at Las Leñas. Our trekking efforts were rewarded with a delicious asado dinner, and our whole team is stretched out under the stars tonight enjoying a last night out in the mountains. Tomorrow we head down to Penitentes, then Mendoza, and civilization, but for now everyone is savoring a last moment on the trail.
RMI Guides Mark Tucker & Pepper Dee
Today was one of those days where you wake up in one world and go to sleep in another. In our team's case, we woke up in the thin air of Camp 3, but after a day's hard walking downhill, are lucky enough to be bedding down among the comforts of Aconcagua Base Camp. Around 18,000 feet, we got a chance to check in with RMI Guides Billy Nugent, Hannah Smith and the rest of their RMI team as they carried to Camp 2. As for our team though, we're focused on resting up in anticipation of our two day trek still ahead to get off of this mountain. Everyone is happy, well, and excited about showers in the not too distant future.
RMI Guides Mark Tucker & Pepper Dee
Absolutely delighted for you all that the summit was successful! Well done! Enjoy a safe descent.
Posted by: carolyn on 1/24/2017 at 12:12 pm
In July 2015, Hannah Smith and Pepper Dee were two of four guides on our team on the Emmons Route on Mount Rainier. They did a great job keeping us safe on the mountain. Wish I could join them on Aconcagua. Congratulations to the teams on Aconcagua now, safe travels.
January 22nd, 4:29 pm PST
So don't sing at 22,000 feet, that is my recommendation. We are all back down here at high camp. The team is all back in their tents, fed and watered. What a heck of a day- about 14 hours. The team did great. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be singing again, and I guess I better write instead of talk. Thanks for following you guys. Take care.
RMI Guide Mark TuckerJanuary 22nd, 10:29 am PST
Hello, everyone. This is RMI Guide, Pepper Dee, from the top of Aconcagua! Mark Tucker has lost his voice, but he has not lost any of his team. He started with ten climbers and ten climbers are on top of South America right now. We had a great day getting up here. Pretty clear with some intermittent snow showers, but we're all just so thrilled to be up here. When the clouds break, we can see views down the valley where we came. [lost transmission]
RMI Guide Pepper Dee
RMI Guide Pepper Dee calls from the Aconcagua summit!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker calls after safe return back to Aconcagua High Camp.
Greetings from High Camp on Aconcagua! Today was a big move day for the team, as we established ourselves at 19,600 feet in preparation for our summit bid. We battled some gusty, overcast weather getting up here, but as of 5 pm the skies around the upper mountain are clear, if a bit blustery. We are all hoping for an unconditional good break in the weather tomorrow, which as of now is the "big day" for the team. Keep us in your thoughts tomorrow; we're all hoping for a safe and successful summit day.
Love to everyone!
RMI Guides Mark Tucker & Pepper Dee
Turned out to be a great day to carry group and personal equipment to our high camp of Aconcagua at 19,600ft. We made good time up and down and round tripped it in about five hours. At one point I was down to just a thin poly-pro top. Not bad for being exposed to the elements at 19,000ft.
Big decision time tonight. Weather reports are calling for some unsettled pattern ahead. Need to put all the factors in the hopper and come up with a plan. Excitement is rising and a major buzz going on around camp. My team continues to be a solid unit and so proud of what we have accomplished so far. All is well up on the hill.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Today our team bid farewell to the thick air and running water of Aconcagua Camp 1 and headed uphill to Camp 2. We spent the majority of the afternoon digging in solid tent platforms, making sure to securely fasten our tents to the mountain with the biggest rocks we could find. We were treated to a beautiful day during the move-in process; the views of neighboring Andean peaks have kept many team members busy with photo opportunities. We're just getting ready to crawl into our tents before the sun dips below the horizon and it gets COLD.
More tomorrow!
RMI Guides Mark Tucker and Pepper Dee
Today our team enjoyed a day of rest and recovery at Camp 1 on Aconcagua. Some team members read, others listened to music, others cat napped. As a group we took a light stroll in the afternoon to keep ourselves breathing well and acclimating. We were fortunate enough to enjoy beautiful weather the whole day, and made sure to heckle groups heading up and down the mountain as we lounged by our outdoor kitchen. Everyone is excited to move up to Camp 2 tomorrow, and keep our momentum going.
Hasta manana ~
RMI Guides Mark Tucker & Pepper Dee
Today our team carried food and personal equipment from our current camp at 16,500 feet to our Camp 2, which sits at right around 18,000 feet. Our climb took us up to the saddle, or "Col," which separates Aconcagua from her sister peak Ameghino, and then wrapped around to the north side of the mountain. We spent the second half of the climb marveling at the newly visible high Andes stretching away to the north, and pulled in to camp 2 in fine form. Gear cached, descent styled, our team is looking forward to a well earned rest day tomorrow.
RMI Guides Mark Tucker & Pepper Dee
Well, we're on the mountain now! After a farewell breakfast with Mike King and company, our team loaded up packs with tents, sleeping bags, and high mountain essentials, and retraced our steps back up to Camp 1. Knowing the route, and averaging lighter packs than our carry day, everyone on the team made it up to 16,500 feet in fine form. We picked a campsite more or less in the middle of the sweeping moraine of camp 1, with fine views down the valley and up higher to Ameghino Col. Tents are set up, bellies are full of Mac and Cheese, and we're getting ready to hit the hay on our first night above basecamp.
Love from the hill!
RMI Guides Mark Tucker and Pepper
Congratulations Pepper and the entire team on your incredible success!! An outstanding accomplishment to be celebrated and cherished.
Posted by: Chi Dees on 1/26/2017 at 12:28 pm
Team,
You did a fantastic job. To get everyone, just think about that: everyone, to the top of the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas, is just outstanding.
Congratulations indeed. Well done.
Art Muir
Posted by: Art Muir on 1/26/2017 at 8:08 am
View All Comments