Entries from Aconcagua

Aconcagua Expedition: King & Team Enjoy Rest Day at Plaza Argentina

December 19, 2018

Posted by: Mike King, Nick Scott, Gloria Roe

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

The Team had a restful night and woke feeling good after a delicious dinner of tacos and calm weather. The morning consisted of sorting and packing gear for our carry to Camp 1 tomorrow. With winds picking up the Team went for a short hike to stretch their lungs and legs. Plaza Argentina Base Camp is located on an undulating glacial moraine that is covered in scree. The camp is comprised of four large outfitters that provide logistics and meals. There are 10 large geodesic dome tents per outfitter and a few buildings for the Park Rangers. Hot showers, internet, pizza and cold drinks make the living up here pretty rough. While everyone is enjoying the amenities, after a few more nights here they will be itching to get going on the upper mountain. We are currently resting and watching the clouds pass. Plaza Argentina is starting to get busy as 3-4 groups have walked in. Casual day and there is some nervous energy about the first heavy carry day tomorrow. The guides are all pleased with how everyone is acclimating and getting along. With clouds covering the upper slopes we are anticipating some snow and cooler temperatures for the remainder of the day. Thanks for following along. RMI Guide Mike King

On The Map

Aconcagua Expedition: King & Team Arrive at Plaza Argentina Base Camp

December 18, 2018

Posted by: Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

We got an early start today so the group could catch a mule ride across the Vacas River. We started our hike up the narrow mouth of the Relinchos valley and eventually made our way onto another high rolling plateau. The winds were calm and the view of Aconcagua just kept getting better. The mountain is holding a lot of winter snow and a descent amount of new snow. This should make climbing to Camp 1 easier on the Team as we hopefully won’t have as much loose scree to navigate. We are all settled in at Base Camp with darkening skies above. The first night at almost 14,000’ is always an adjustment so we will take a day off tomorrow to rest and pack for our carry to Camp 1. Everyone is excited to be here and actually start the climb. Thanks for following along. RMI Guide Mike King

On The Map

Aconcagua Expedition: Mike King and Team Arrive at Casa de Piedra

December 17, 2018

Posted by: Mike King, Nick Scott, Gloria Roe

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 10,550'

The Team enjoyed a calm night at Lenas. When the moon is new to half-full the shooting stars are so plentiful that one person said, “it is as if the sky can’t hold all of them”. The Milky Way runs right down the valley skyline, the southern cross is unmistakable and the flashes of heat lightning over the horizon makes this night absolutely spectacular to sleep out of the tent. We walked a little over 9 miles today and enjoyed a consistent breeze that kept us cool. From a casual glance the scenery doesn’t change to much and when taking a closer look one has never seen so many shades of brown, red and orange. The Team is doing well, acclimating to these higher altitudes and slowly adjusting to the dry desert air. Tonight we’ll dine on the second best chicken on the plant along with grilled vegetables and a bow tie pasta salad. You might be asking yourself where the best chicken is located at? For that you will have to head to Mexico with RMI to climb the Volcanoes and find out. Thanks for following along, we’ll check in from Plaza de Argentina tomorrow. RMI Guide Mike King and Team

Aconcagua Expedition: King & Team Ready to Hit the Trail

December 16, 2018

Posted by: Mike King, Nick Scott, Gloria Roe

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

The Team got a casual start to the morning with some breakfast and last minute packing and adjustments before the Mule drivers arrived to load our food and equipment for the next 2.5 weeks on Aconcagua. The morning sun already felt hot was we waited for our shuttle to the national park. We got started around 11am with a stiff breeze that turned into a very windy day. While wind makes some parts of being outside difficult, it lowered the temperatures and wicked our sweat, this cooling effect made for a nice hike to camp. The Team is getting out of the sun, some in tents and some have found some shade among the massive boulders that surround camp. We will enjoy the afternoon and then throw down on the best steak and assorted grilled meats the world has ever known. The asado at Las Lenas is legendary, it’s rich and bountiful smoke is infused into your clothing, bringing back memories of the communal dinner and meatmares often associated with this wonderful start to an expedition. We are happy, healthy and looking forward to what tomorrow will bring. Thanks for following along. RMI Guide Mike King

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Thanks, Mike, for posting the blog…:-) Hope Patty gave you a hug from me!

Patty - my BFFMG,
Thinking about you and your team. It looks and sounds amazing. So wish I were there… Make a wish on a shooting star for me!

Be safe and enjoy this amazing adventure!

Good thoughts and prayers for all…

Sally

Posted by: Sally Mouradian on 12/17/2018 at 6:12 pm

Patty,

Really great to see photo of you and the crew. Looking forward to the next update. Be safe, endure, and enjoy every step of your journey!

Love,
John

P.S. - just received call on Mon 12-17 at 10:30 A CT that the house transaction is complete! All good! We did it!

P.S.S. - Ben called with excellent news on the first semester!!!

Posted by: John Kudla on 12/17/2018 at 8:43 am

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Aconcagua: King & Team Arrive in Mendoza, Travel to Penitentes

December 15, 2018

Posted by: Mike King, Nick Scott, Gloria Roe

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

The Team arrived over the last few days with most bags in tow and we are now in Penitentes. We took the afternoon to pack and sort gear for the mules and our trek to Aconcagua Base Camp. The warehouse is at the base of a defunct ski hill and looks like something out of the Argentine version of Hot tub time machine. We have a great local logistics company in Grajales Expeditions to help us get our gear through the high Andean desert valleys that we will hike through during the next three days. The Team is doing well and excited to get walking tomorrow. We will be checking in each day, fingers crossed for clear weather and light winds. Thanks for following along. RMI Guide Mike King

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Love following along and getting daily updates. Be save and enjoy your time. Love you Becky!

Posted by: Kay Robinson on 12/17/2018 at 7:20 am

Happy birthday Slamma! Enjoy the start of this trip around the sun starting even closer to it than usual <3

Posted by: The Chartbigs on 12/17/2018 at 4:46 am

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Aconcagua: King & Team Return to Base Camp

February 6, 2018

Posted by: Mike King, Jenny Konway, Nick Scott

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

We packed up after a stormy night at 19,600'. The evening was filled thunder, lightening and lots of snow. The early start had our hands and toes cold, but we were rewarded with a stellar sunrise and a quick descent through the snow and scree. There was gear to pick up at the lower camps and finally we got to Plaza Argentina to enjoy a warm afternoon of packing for the mules and some well deserved rest at lower elevation. Tomorrow we'll walk to Lenas, our first camp of the trek for the legendary asado and one last night under the stars. This trip has been filled with lots of laughs, better then normal weather and a great team. This will be our last dispatch of the trip, your loved ones will be in reach once we arrive in Mendoza on the evening of the 8th. Thanks for following along on our expedition to the top of South America. RMI Guide Mike King

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Wow, that was some climb! Glad you all made it up there & are now safe & sound. Thanks for letting us follow along on this great adventure.

Posted by: Hikari on 2/7/2018 at 7:44 pm

Concrats to All of You!!!! So Proud of All of You!!!! Enjoy the thick and warm air and the Asada tonight!!! Love you All!!! Awesome Dawn and Tom , (My climbing Sister and Brother, Bless you both)
Dave

Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/7/2018 at 2:48 am

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Aconcagua: King & Team Back at High Camp

February 5, 2018

Posted by: Mike King, Jenny Konway, Nick Scott

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 19,600'

February 5th, 9:30 am PT We finished our successful summit day with the descent to high camp. What started out as a beautiful day has turned into a snow storm. The Team is currently resting in their tents and the only remaining task is to pack up and carry everything to base camp tomorrow. We have some porters assisting with that as the group is beat and the weather isn't supposed to be all that nice. There are countless stories from summit day, so I'll let your loved ones tell them to you when they're back in the land of phone/internet or preferably over a nice meal on their return. RMI Guide Mike King

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

CONGRATULATIONS, Bob, Grassy, Sandra, and Steve!!! Save downclimbing and hope to hear more about your climb soon.

Jim W.

Posted by: Jim Wilder on 2/6/2018 at 10:57 am

Yeah!! Great job Dawn and the team!!!!! We can’t wait to hear all about it in person!:)

Posted by: Kim on 2/6/2018 at 7:37 am

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Aconcagua: King & Team Reach the Summit!

February 5, 2018

Posted by: Mike King, Jenny Konway, Nick Scott

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 22,841'

Hey, this is Mike with Aconcagua #4. We are standing on top of the tallest mountain outside of the Himalaya. It's a beautiful day, near windless, you could be wearing a bikini on top today and get a sun tan. Everyone that's on top today, is doing great. We'll send a dispatch in once we descend back to our High Camp. Thanks for following along on the blog. We will descend to Plaza Argentina (Base Camp) tomorrow morning. Thanks. RMI Guide Mike King

RMI Guide Mike King calls from the summit of Aconcagua.

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

SO AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/5/2018 at 9:49 am

Congratulations

Posted by: Fred Street on 2/5/2018 at 9:01 am

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Aconcagua: King & Team Move to High Camp

February 4, 2018

Posted by: Mike King, Jenny Konway, Nick Scott

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 19,600'

The Team packed up and moved the bear necessities to Cholera, located at 19,600'. Camp is built and we are enjoying a calm and warm day, which is a plus since this camp is named after the fierce winds that plague this part of the mountain. Tomorrow is our summit day and there is some nervous energy and excitement to be finally nearing the objective of the climb. Everyone sends their best back home. Not much else to do but eat, pack, try to sleep and enjoy the thin air. We'll call in from the summit should Aconcagua bless us with calm winds and a wicked cramponable route. RMI Guide Mike King

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Praying for good weather and a strong climb to the TOP!! Go team Go! XO Coeli

Posted by: Coeli Scott on 2/5/2018 at 5:02 am

Good Luck to you all! Enjoy the day and the final push to the top!

Posted by: Tania on 2/4/2018 at 6:52 pm

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Aconcagua: King & Team Rest at Camp 2

February 3, 2018

Posted by: Mike King, Jenny Konway, Nick Scott

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

We heard the groundhog said it would be six more weeks of summer down here in the Southern Hemisphere. The Team is taking a rest day at 18,000' to prepare for our last four big days of our Aconcagua expedition. Tomorrow we will move camp to 19,000'. Our summit day should be the 5th followed by two big days getting off the mountain and out to the road. The Team is feeling well acclimated and is in good spirits. Today all we need to do is sleep, eat and embrace the down time, a quality that a few in the group mastered while on Denali. We continue to enjoy the grand vistas of the Andes and warm tents. RMI Guide Mike King

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Hey Grassy, The Kiwis are rooting for you. Best wishes and good weather, Chris Kate, Trish, John, Tone, Jesse, Alissa, Zephyr

Posted by: Chris Jones on 2/4/2018 at 12:21 pm

Dawn & Tom and Team, I miss you all ! I’m sending warm Oxygen filled thoughts your way. Be Strong, Be Positive and Climb High!!!

Posted by: Dave on 2/4/2018 at 6:32 am

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Entries from Aconcagua

Aconcagua Expedition: King & Team Enjoy Rest Day at Plaza Argentina

On The Map

Aconcagua Expedition: King & Team Arrive at Plaza Argentina Base Camp

On The Map

Aconcagua Expedition: Mike King and Team Arrive at Casa de Piedra

Aconcagua Expedition: King & Team Ready to Hit the Trail

Aconcagua: King & Team Arrive in Mendoza, Travel to Penitentes

Aconcagua: King & Team Return to Base Camp

Aconcagua: King & Team Back at High Camp

Aconcagua: King & Team Reach the Summit!

On The Map

Aconcagua: King & Team Move to High Camp

On The Map

Aconcagua: King & Team Rest at Camp 2

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