Entries By mike king

Aconcagua: Justman and Team arrive at Base Camp

January 16, 2014

Posted by: JJ Justman, Mike King, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

We have arrived at base camp! Our team is in full effect chilling. We had a beautiful last day trekking up the Relinchos Valley, and guess what!? The Old Spice worked! We had a family of guanacos checking us out as we filled up water bottles at a nearby stream. The cowboys that have graciously helped us waved goodbye as they rode past. Aconcagua was out for most of the day as we walked in. The team is doing great and it's so nice to unload all our gear without having to pack it all up for the mules. Now, we get to rest and relax at 13,800 feet. RMI Guide JJ Justman & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

? Blind-folded Donkey’s. You guys must all be pretty confident if you hired blind jackasses to hlp the team!

Posted by: Sandy reierson on 1/18/2014 at 9:25 am

Way to go Team 6! Waiting for very cool photos of Lew Smith on top of Aconcagua

Posted by: Rob Pierson on 1/17/2014 at 6:12 pm

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Travel through the Vacas Valley to Casa de Piedra

January 15, 2014

Posted by: JJ Justman, Mike King, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 10,550'

The team is at Casa de Piedra, which in Spanish means... house of...Piedra. It was another gorgeous day of trekking in the Vacas Valley. Everyone is doing great and we are excited to be one step closer to base camp. For me it's always fun to hear and see the expressions on people's faces as they truly appreciate how beautiful it is here. We had a condor sighting, which is rare in the towering mountains. However, the elusive guanaco is nowhere to see. I'm pretty sure if I put on some Old Spice it will attract some for the team. Stay tuned!! RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Well done, dad (Lew Smith)! Keep going strong! We hope you are having a great time down there. Climb on!

Love you,

Kyle and Stephanie

Posted by: Kyle A. Smith on 1/17/2014 at 8:41 am

Good going Mom! Stuff is great at home….. don’t worry….

Posted by: Buddy on 1/15/2014 at 6:11 pm

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Camped at Pampa de Las Lenas

January 14, 2014

Posted by: JJ Justman, Mike King, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

Hello folks! It's JJ and the Aconcagua Team reporting live from Pampa de Las Lenas at 9,000 feet. It's phenomenal to finally hit the trail with the team. And what a team it is! We have brothers and sisters, old climbing buddies and now new friends. We had a hot and blistery day trekking in the heat. Sunscreen and lip balm was in full effect. However now it is cloudy and we received a few drops of rain, which we welcomed with open arms. The guides are busy chopping fresh vegetables that we are going to grill along with a big slab of beef. It's one of my favorite things...hanging out with the cowboys and the team. The cowboys like it when you ask questions and it's interesting to learn about their lifestyle. They work hard for it and it's nice to enjoy a great evening of food and their favorite drink...orange Tang. RMI Guide JJ Justman

On The Map

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Awesome photo! Great job, dad (Lew Smith)! Best of luck to you and the team! Climb smart, and climb on!

Love you!

Kyle

Posted by: Kyle A. Smith on 1/17/2014 at 8:43 am

Hey Denise, This is so cool! I love seeing your progress. Yahoo! Be Safe! Have the best time. Make snow angel for me when you get to the fluffy white stuff!
Sputter Dog says Hey!

Posted by: Mary Fox on 1/15/2014 at 9:22 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Begin Trek to Basecamp

January 13, 2014

Posted by: JJ Justman, Mike King, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

The gang is all here! It certainly has been an adventure already for half of our team. However, we are all ready to go. For the other part of the team we had a great day in Penitentes, which is a small ski area. We had our first glance of Aconcagua as we took a 4-hour hike up to 10,000 feet. It's a beautiful view of the south face of Aconcagua. The team finished packing our duffels for the mules and we are ready to walk! RMI Guide JJ Justman

On The Map

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Hi Lew-

Look forward to hearing all about your trip. We are praying for you. Hope it is all you imagined it would be. Take care and God Bless!

John

Posted by: john walker on 1/16/2014 at 12:06 pm

Lew: Praying for a great climb for you brother! I’ll think and pray for you often. Can’t wait to see the pictures!
Mike H

Posted by: Mike Harvey on 1/16/2014 at 7:35 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Ready in Argentina

January 12, 2014

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Well...I've always said, "the hardest part of any expedition is just getting to the mountain". And that certainly is the case for my second team here on Aconcagua. We have everything from missing bags to missing half of the team. Well, they're not missing just really late due to Tormento de Estados Unidos 2014! However, all the team members are in Argentina. Half the team is in Penitentes and the other half is in Mendoza. We will all join up tomorrow and begin the journey. We want to congratulate the recent team under Garrett Stevens on their recent summit. We are at 100% expedition success. I feel a trend coming on. Stay tuned for another exciting adventure with me, Mike "the lion" King and Steve "fresh outta da" Gately. RMI Guides JJ Justman, Mike King & Steve Gately

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Lets get this party started!!!

Posted by: Josh Barnes on 1/13/2014 at 9:32 pm

Wishing Diane, Randy and Denise better travels in the Andes then the trip down from Detroit and Miami along with marvelous weather. I hope Michigan and Utah gets all of the snow and cold weather instead of hitting your adventure!
Take care!
Bonnie

Posted by: Bonnie Janssen on 1/13/2014 at 8:31 am

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Aconcagua: Beren and Team Return to Pampa de Llenas

January 7, 2014

Posted by: Jake Beren, Mike King, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

After leaving Base Camp yesterday we made the long trek back to Pampa de Llenas where the length of this journey began to sink in. Many miles of beautiful walking brought us back to our first camp where we were treated to an asado courtesy of our herreros. Grilling over an open fire under the Andean sky we really put the trip to bed in style. Getting to visit with the incoming RMI crew was fun, seeing all those clean faces and knowing that we were just a few hours from a shower ourselves. Thanks to a wonderful crew for a great trip and can't wait to see everyone in the mountains soon! Jake Beren & Team

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Enjoy the rest of your journey team Be safe & what an accomplishment

Posted by: Lise on 1/8/2014 at 7:00 am

The skill of a great pilot is proven only when the plane lands its passengers safely back on the runway. Same with mountain guides.

Nice job Steve and team. It is what guiding is all about!

Posted by: Bill Gately on 1/8/2014 at 6:03 am

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Aconcagua: Beren & Team Descend to Plaza Argentina

January 5, 2014

Posted by: Jake Beren, Mike King, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Waking once the sun began to warm the tents was a welcome treat at 19,600 feet. Having that last cup of coffee in the rarified air of high camp before packing up and starting the beautiful and lengthy descent really let the last few weeks settle in. We have climbed on the highest mountain outside of Asia and now turn the skiff towards home. It is this point of the trip where we get to see how far out we've gone because there is no more out to go, just back. Retracing our steps back home will take a few days and is a wonderful way to let this adventure sink in. See you all soon! RMI Guide Jake Beren

On The Map

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To Bill and the team - what an amazing accomplishment! This is something to remember for the rest of your lives..Congratulations and safe travels onward..
Carol (Rita, and Bill)

Posted by: Carol on 1/6/2014 at 12:07 pm

Great job, to the team and to my friend Monica. I can’t begin to understand how amazing that accomplishment must feel. Have a great trek down the mountain and stay safe! Ivory

Posted by: Ivory on 1/6/2014 at 11:33 am

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Aconcagua: Beren & Team Recap Summit Day

January 5, 2014

Posted by: Jake Beren, Mike King, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 19,600'

Lying in the tent, legs sore but oddly relaxed, it seems hard to believe that we climbed Aconcagua today. This morning we launched before dawn, making our way higher and higher into the troposphere as the rising sun cast a shadow of our mountain deep into the Andes. Everyone on the team got a chance to test their limits today and I'm proud of everyone's effort. It takes a few weeks to get to where you can try to stand on top and everyone's hard work really paid off with a safe day in the mountains. Good work team and thanks to all the wonderful people back home for their support. RMI Guide Jake Beren

On The Map

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Good Job Bill Dorn!!!

Posted by: Marshall Woodford on 1/6/2014 at 11:32 am

You guys are great. Thanks to the guides for getting everybody up there. Bill is coming home soon… I guess I have to start cleaning the house again.

Posted by: Norm Vork on 1/5/2014 at 6:51 pm

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Aconcagua: Beren & Team Summit!

January 4, 2014

Posted by: Jake Beren, Mike King, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 22,841'

Greetings from Camp 3 on Aconcagua. Our team just returned after a successful summit bid with some happy and tired faces. We are looking forward to a little bit of dinner and some much needed rest before we start heading down, down, down tomorrow. All is well out here. Thanks for all the good wishes back home and we'll talk to you guys further on down the trail. RMI Guide Jake Beren

Jake Beren calls in after the team's successful summit.

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Bravo! Bravissimo! A glorious day’s work. Rest up and have a safe descent.

Posted by: nsb on 1/5/2014 at 12:01 pm

Monica and team, congratulations on the successful summit!! So happy for you all! Safe descent, see you soon!

Posted by: Leslie M on 1/5/2014 at 11:10 am

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Aconcagua: Beren & Team Make Their Move to High Camp

January 3, 2014

Posted by: Jake Beren, Mike King, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 19,600'

Greetings from high camp at 19,600 ft! Today we made use of a good forecast and the first break in the wind in recent memory to move up. Now we are in striking distance of the top, getting ready for dinner before an early bedtime. The team again performed well getting here and if this calm weather holds, we will go for the top tomorrow! We've enjoyed everyone's comments and the crew is in great spirits having put forth an impressive effort so far. With any luck we will only head uphill for one more day before starting the long return to Mendoza. Wish us luck! RMI Guide Jake Beren

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Go, Bill, Go. Amazing. Can’t wait to hear all about it!

Posted by: Sylvia Stanley on 1/4/2014 at 7:30 pm

Go for it Bill. Good luck

Posted by: steve on 1/4/2014 at 7:19 pm

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Entries By mike king

Aconcagua: Justman and Team arrive at Base Camp

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Travel through the Vacas Valley to Casa de Piedra

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Camped at Pampa de Las Lenas

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Begin Trek to Basecamp

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Ready in Argentina

Aconcagua: Beren and Team Return to Pampa de Llenas

Aconcagua: Beren & Team Descend to Plaza Argentina

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Aconcagua: Beren & Team Recap Summit Day

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Aconcagua: Beren & Team Summit!

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Aconcagua: Beren & Team Make Their Move to High Camp

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