Entries By zeb blais

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

On The Map

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

On The Map

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

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

On The Map

Greetings from a well rested team. Today was our first rest day at Plaza Argentina on the Aconcagua 3 Trip. The team is doing great. We went for a brief walk to assist in acclimatization and have spent the rest of the day sorting gear and preparing for our carry tomorrow. We will check back in after our carry to Camp 1. RMI Guide Zeb Blais

On The Map

This is Zeb checking in from Plaza Argentina, Aconcagua Basecamp. We arrived today after trekking up from Casa de Piedra. We had a great New Year's last night where we celebrated with an asado and some nice bubbly. Today's hike went really well and everyone is in camp resting and feeling good. We have a full day of rest tomorrow and then we plan on carrying to Camp 1. We'll check in again soon. Thanks for following. RMI Guide Zeb Blais

On The Map

We had a windy day getting into our second camp of the 3 day trek to Base Camp. The colors and terrain of the upper Vacas Valley really stood out. The team put up tents in 30+ mph winds, which will prepare them for higher camps. We're fixing to have a big meal to celebrate the new year tonight and are thinking of family and friends. We will get an early start in the morning so we arrive at Plaza Argentina and can relax after three hot and windy days. Thanks for following along. RMI Guide Zeb Blais and Team

Hey, this is Zeb, Mike and Alex checking in with our Aconcagua trip. We are at Pampas de Las Lenas. We have had a great day. Our team is looking really strong. Everybody's in good spirits. We set up our tents and we're about to enjoy a steak asado with the herreros. We're doing well and we are headed up the valley. We'll check back in soon. RMI Guide Zeb Blais

On The Map

Our first day went off without a hitch. Our logistics and prep was capped off by dinner at the always impressive La Marchigiana. The team is doing well and we're set to head off to Penitentes soon. We'll check in when we can! RMI Guides Zeb Blais, Mike King and Alex Barber

After a delicious breakfast at Dr Reye's historic soap factory bed and breakfast, our team is on our way home. A little more on the Orizaba climb: We arrived at the Piedra Grande Hut on Friday afternoon. After a brief walk to help our bodies get used to the thin air, we settled into camp. Robby and I cooked the best chicken tacos Orizaba has ever seen. Fresh tortillas, guacamole, sautéed onions and peppers, rotisserie chicken and limes made for a great pre-climb feast. After the taco feed, we tucked into our tents for a few hours of sleep. When we woke, the thick cloud that had engulfed camp before bed had cleared. It was a beautiful night without even a breath of wind. We climbed through a maze of rock known as the Labrynth to the Jamapa Glacier. At over 16,000' we donned crampons and ice axes and roped together to work towards Orizaba's stunning summit crater. Rest stepping, crampon technique and pressure breathing were the cornerstones of success as our team made switchbacks across the peaks northeast face. Our entire team climbed well until we were on the summit celebrating a hard fought ascent. We enjoyed perfect, warm weather on top. After we had captured some photos and soaked in the amazing view, it was time to tackle the other half of the climb : the descent. In keeping with the style they showed on the ascent, the team descended with great form and attention to footwork. Without a hitch, our team made it back to Piedra Grande. A few hours of packing and 4x4 riding led us to a tasty meal and celebration at the Reyes soap factory. Sharing stories and jokes with the team was a terrific way to end a great climb and a rewarding trip. Thanks to everyone on the team for their huge efforts and great attitudes! Until the next climb ~ RMI Guides Zeb Blais & Robby Young