The last few days have been a whirlwind. Just three days ago we stood on the top of Aconcagua, the highest peak outside of Asia.
We pushed hard to get down to the land of thick air, fresh food and running water. Last night we celebrated at our last camp of the expedition with a huge feast of carne asada, fresh tomato salad a little vino tinto and everyone's stories and jokes.
Tonight we're really back in civilization. Freshly showered and dressed up, we're headed to sample some of Mendoza's renowned cuisine.
For now we'll leave you with a shot from the summit. Cheers!
RMI Guide Zeb Blais and team
January 12, 2015, 1:30 PM PT
This is Zeb Blais checking in from high camp with a jubilant summit team. Today we topped out on Aconcagua at 2 PM in adverse weather conditions. We fought through a small snowstorm to get to the top and spent a brief time taking pictures on the summit before descending back down to camp where we are now hydrating, resting and preparing to head back to base camp tomorrow. Thanks for checking in.
January 12, 2015, 9:20 AM PTRMI Guide Zeb Blais just called from the Aconcagua summit! The team did well and they will check back in from high camp.
Congratulations to the team!
RMI Guide Zeb Blais calls in from high camp after their successful summit.
Just phoned RMI and the team is down theountain and will be in Mendosa today or tomorrow! Wow- the trip down is certainly faster than the trip up! Just thought I would post this update for those who are wondering what happened to our team!
Posted by: PKW on 1/15/2015 at 8:50 am
Haven’t had an update in many days. Are you all partying it up in base camp now?
RMI Base, this is Alex Barber calling in with RMI's Aconcagua team. Today we moved to Camp 3 and are in place for our summit bid tomorrow morning. The team did a great job today battling the cold winds into our high camp of 19,600 feet. The team is settled in and we're preparing ourselves for the summit push. Hopefully our next dispatch will be a call from the summit of the highest peak outside of the Himalaya. We will talk to you guys tomorrow. Bye.
RMI Guide Alex Barber
Buenes dias. This is the Aconcagua team checking in from Camp 2, aka Guanacos Camp. After moving from Camp 1 to Camp 2 yesterday, today was perfect conditions for an acclimatization hike toward Camp 3. We are planning on moving to Camp 3 tomorrow to take advantage of the favorable weather forecast. We'll update after the move. Adios until then.
RMI Guide Zeb Blais and Team
RMI Base, this is Alex Barber calling in with the Aconcagua Team. This morning was perfectly clear with light winds. Definitely an appreciated contrast from yesterday's windstorm at Camp 1. We took full advantage of this clear weather today and pushed up to Camp 2. Everyone on the team did extremely well and now we are sitting tight here at Camp 2 playing cards and eating snack food, and plotting our summit attempt. Tomorrow is just a rest day, so we will check back in with you from Camp 2 sometime tomorrow. Adios.
RMI Guide Alex Barber
RMI Guide Alex Barber calls in from Aconcagua Camp 2.
Hi, This is Zeb Blais checking in from Camp 1 on Aconcagua. Yesterday we spent our day hunkered down from the winds. It was a rest day and we ended up gong for a short walk to stretch our legs, other than that we were hiding out from the wind.
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January 8, 2015 11:24am PST - Zeb Phoned the RMI Office
All is well at Camp 1, the team will be taking another weather day today as the wind did not die out until later in the day, and then it was too late to make the move to Camp 2. The forecast looks good for a move to Camp 2 tomorrow, so that is the plan. All is well and everyone is happy and healthy.
RMI Guide Zeb Blais & Team
This is Mike with the Aconcagua team. We had a windy day on our carry to Camp 2 today at 18,000ft. We got a late start hoping the winds would die down, but they never really did. We got a little new snow, the wind was blowing in our faces most of the morning. The team did really well. We are looking forward to enjoying a rest day tomorrow. We'll be tuning in with more information to come. Thanks guys.
RMI Guide Mike King
RMI Guide Mike King calls after their carry to Camp 2.
Hola, Stephen, Julain, and Team! STEEP terrain, by the looks of your photos - hard climbing, especially into the wind - WELL DONE!! Stay warm, hydrated, and well fuelled. Best wishes for calmer, sunny days ahead. Love, Barry and Lynne
Posted by: Barry & Lynne Wright on 1/6/2015 at 6:35 pm
This is Zeb Blais and team checking in from 16,200ft at Camp 1 Aconcagua. Today our team left Basecamp and all the creature comforts there in and moved up on the mountain. Now we have all our supplies with us and will only move up hill from here. Our team is strong and psyched to do a carry to Camp 2 tomorrow. We will check in as soon as we are back to Camp 1.
RMI Guide Zeb Blais
Today was a day of feasting and resting. After yesterday's carry, Mike King, the master chef, started us off with a great breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon. Then we went for a a brief walk down the Relinchos Valley to stretch our legs a bit. Upon our return to camp, we relaxed reading books and hanging out. To be followed by a delicious lunch of quesadillas and grilled cheese sandwiches. We're making our preparations for tomorrow's move to Camp 1 and we're looking forward to our last dinner at Basecamp for a while. Signing out for now.
RMI Guide Zeb Blais and team
RMI Guide Zeb Blais calls in from Aconcagua Basecamp.
This is Zeb Blais checking in from Plaza Argentina. Today, our team made our first carry to Camp One. Our team did great under some big loads, carrying supplies and gear for the upper mountain... [transmission lost]
RMI Guide Zeb Blais
Congratulations to the entire team!
Posted by: Christine on 1/15/2015 at 9:35 pm
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