Entries from Aconcagua

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Carry to Camp 1

January 18, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Howdy all... Checking in after a busy, busy day up here on Aconcagua. There was a bit of commotion buzzing around Plaza Argentina this morning with a bunch of helicopter flights coming in and out of basecamp requiring logistical assistance on our part that stalled us from getting out of the gate on our planned carry up to Camp 1. Luckily, what could have been a logistical nightmare was averted and despite the late start, our team made a great effort and put in a big cache of personal gear, food, fuel, and other group gear up at ~16,400' right in the heart of Camp 1. We're back down here at Plaza Argentina, tired after a long day on our first foray onto the upper mountain but psyched that the team performed so well despite the heavy loads. Spirits are high after a job well done and we hope to keep the good times rolling through another rest/acclimatization day at basecamp tomorrow. Signing off... RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Hey Glen, wow quite a bit of excitement! Kudos to you and the team to for getting the carry up to Camp 1 in spite of all the commotion and the late start. Love, Katalina

Posted by: Katalina on 1/19/2015 at 6:14 pm

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team In Position for Summit Bid

January 18, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 19,600'

Sorry folks this is gonna be short. Our Aconcagua team is great and we are settling into high camp at 19,600 feet. There's a lot of work for the guides so we gotta run. Tomorrow is looking good for a summit attempt so wish us luck!! RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Robert, Jo and the group,
May the winds be calm, the view magnificent and your goal reached! Can’t wait to share the adventure. Pat

Posted by: pat ward on 1/19/2015 at 8:28 am

Ok Sue,Jo & Robert and all,
Time to finish that big lump of rock, snow and ice off! Looking to soon view well produced summit photos and video…..

Posted by: Russ Frederickson on 1/19/2015 at 7:51 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Resting at Camp 2

January 17, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

Hello RMI blog groupies! Guess what?! Team 4 is resting at Camp Two at 18,000 feet on Aconcagua! Exciting huh! After a casual morning the team talked about preparations for summit day on the 19th. We talked about what color long johns were in fashion for 2015...lime green and how to use the buff headwear in various ways...Steve's favorite...tube top! Jenny on our team took on Adam in a new game created called Rockcci ball...don't ask, simple things confuse me. We went for a casual walk to stretch the legs and get the blood flowing. We are ready to move to high camp and the team is ready! Let's Get it On!!! RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Hi Glenn, Frank and I are keeping posted on your climb….stay well! Looking forward to hearing all about adventure.

Posted by: Margie Grillo on 1/18/2015 at 8:12 pm

Safe and happy travels tomorrow and always!

Posted by: Dan Griswold on 1/18/2015 at 8:07 am

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Rest Day at Plaza Argentina

January 17, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Resting today... We are all enjoying a pleasant afternoon up here at Plaza Argentina. Our two principal goals for today are letting our bodies rest up from the work we've done over the past three days and continue that acclimatization process, and to prep and pack our gear, food, and fuel for tomorrow's planned carry up to Camp 1. The team is again in good spirits and enjoying the day. We'll check in again tomorrow and let you know how our first true push up the mountain went... RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Lucy - Great going. Enjoy your day off. We hope you have great weather for the rest of the climb. We miss you. Love, Carter, Walker and Christopher

Posted by: Carter on 1/18/2015 at 9:17 am

Glen, we are with you - in thought anyway. It is good to see photos, so we can see, too. Now, your training is paying off!

Posted by: Jerry y Rhonda on 1/18/2015 at 8:11 am

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Reach Basecamp!

January 16, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

We've made it to Basecamp! After three long days on the trail our team rolled on in to Plaza Argentina this afternoon in good style and in good spirits. And while we are all feeling the altitude a little bit we are no worse for the wear. We enjoyed some refreshments upon arrival from the great Grajales staff and proceeded to set up camp and get settled in after a little breather. We just finished a great meal of of soup, homemade lasagna (!!!), and flan for dessert and are getting ready to tuck ourselves in for the evening. Up at nearly 14K, it's a fair bit colder here than it was on our trek in, especially at night so we're finally putting some of our warm clothes to good use. Typically, the first night at a higher elevation can be a little uncomfortable so we'll see how everybody fares tonight. I'm sure there may be a few headaches in the group, but that's totally normal... Anyway, we're all still having fun and looking forward to a good rest day tomorrow. All for now, RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Corell - your Arkansas boys are on the way home, tired but very content and thrilled to hear that you are successfully at base camp.. Love you!

Posted by: Thurston on 1/19/2015 at 12:34 pm

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Move to Camp 2

January 16, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

Occupation Camp Two is in full effect ladies and gents. Our Aconcagua team is thriving and jiving at 18,000 feet. It's the same old same old...eating, drinking soup, drinking mate, eating chocolate peanut butter cups and listening to opera. Yes! We have some class! Our plan is to rest up here tomorrow before we move to high camp and the hope is to summit on the 19th. Keep your fingers crossed for continued good weather. RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Hey Sue, Jo & Robert & all,
Opera at 18K…..well….anything but Rap works I guess?
Now get up that hill!

Posted by: Russ Frederickson on 1/17/2015 at 7:53 am

Congrats all on making it to Camp 2. We will definitely be thinking of you on the 19th and hope that all have a successful summit. Giulia and I went to a great puppet show tonight called Exaltation of Larks. The puppets were amazingly lifelike…five elderly nursing home patients scaled to the size of three year olds, sitting in wheelchairs made out of crutches and stroller pieces. Maybe you had to be there, but it was amazing. Wishing you all good hiking weather. M/N

Posted by: Nancy G Hines on 1/16/2015 at 8:34 pm

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Reach Case de Piedra

January 15, 2015

Posted by: Billy Haas, Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 10,550'

Journey to Casa de Piedra. Our crew made great time today on our march from Pampa de Leñas to our second trekking camp at Casa de Piedra. We had significantly cooler temps today and some welcome cloud cover (albeit with a few sprinkles) which made for a much more pleasant walk than yesterday. The crew is starting to find the rhythm of the mountain and also finding a good synergy among the teammates. We are all having fun and even enjoying some interesting people. Good times! Headed for Aconcagua Basecamp tomorrow... Talk soon. RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Glad you will reach base camp tomorrow. Hope photos will be forthcoming! Laura and I are reading the Inferno and enjoying Lidia’s class. Jim says, “GO Corell!” Love to you, Cindy

Posted by: Cindy Mabry on 1/16/2015 at 7:40 pm

Glad you are on the trail. Hope all is well so far. The boys and I are off to Arkansas tomorrow. There has been a huge thaw, so we might be hunting in t-shirts. Alee came to town tonight, so who knows if Philip will make the plane! Love you!! Thurston

Posted by: Thurston Moore on 1/16/2015 at 5:54 pm

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Check in from Pampa de Lenas

January 15, 2015

Posted by: Billy Haas, Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

January 14, 2015 Hola de Pampa de Leñas! Today our team made our first moves in the mountains in great style by ticking off the first stretch on our three day journey to Plaza Argentina, our basecamp. The trail was hot and dusty but we enjoyed a nice breeze from time to time and incredible views that made the heat bearable. After setting up our camp we had the good fortune to greet another RMI expedition as they arrived in camp returning from a successful summit bid a few days ago. Big congrats to Zeb and his crew! We all got to share an asado last night complete with grilled beef tenderloin and vino which was quite a treat. The herrieros (mule drivers) cooked for us over an open fire... Pretty classy backcountry living. We're thankfully not on the ramen noodle program yet, it was nice to hold that off another day. Anyway, all is well and tomorrow calls for another day of walking up the Vacas Valley... We'll check in and let you know how it goes. All for now, RMI Guides Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, and Billy Haas

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Glen, boy you’re getting spoiled! Asasdo and vino, pretty luxurious. I think it will be Cliff bars soon. Love, Katalina

Posted by: Katalina on 1/15/2015 at 4:53 pm

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Aconcagua: Blais & Team Return to Mendoza

January 15, 2015

Posted by: Zeb Blais, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

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

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Congratulations to the entire team!

Posted by: Christine on 1/15/2015 at 9:35 pm

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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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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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Entries from Aconcagua

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Carry to Camp 1

Aconcagua: Justman & Team In Position for Summit Bid

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Resting at Camp 2

On The Map

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Rest Day at Plaza Argentina

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Reach Basecamp!

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Move to Camp 2

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Reach Case de Piedra

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Check in from Pampa de Lenas

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Aconcagua: Blais & Team Return to Mendoza

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Camp 1 Rest Day

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