Entries from Aconcagua

Aconcagua: Billy Nugent & Team Finish Up Loose Ends and Are on Their Way

January 13, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Hi everyone, Billy (Nugent) here checking in after the first official day on our 2015 Aconcagua expedition. Today was a crazy one and the team spent most of the day scrambling around trying to get everything ready for tomorrow´s departure to the mountain. One of our team members was the victim of freezing rain and thus a cancelled flight from O´Hare so she arrived in Mendoza this morning and was forced to hit the ground running. We went straight to the permit office to handle that and then made a quick stop to freshen up at the hotel before we departed for Penitentes where Grajales, our outfitter, has a packing facility near the trailhead. The rest of the team spent the morning tying up loose ends; making runs to the grocery store and gear shop to pick up last minute items before we all jumped in the van for a three-hour drive up to Penitentes in the mountains. Once we arrived we spent several hours packing and readying our loads for the mules that were broken up nicely by a great dinner at Ayelen, our hotel. Lots of things to remember means a fair bit of stress but that will all evaporate once we hit the trail tomorrow. The team is ready and in good spirits, eager to hit the trail! We´ll check in again from our first camp along the trekking route into basecamp. All for now, RMI Guide Billy Nugent and the gang

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Lucy! St. Louis is routing for you, too! We will be reading about your progress and thinking about you! Good luck to you and the whole team! We love you!! Love from Mom, Erle, Donald, Donald Jr. & John

Posted by: Erle Broughton on 1/17/2015 at 9:15 pm

Good luck Billy and Company! I’ll be in Pete’s group following behind you guys. Getting ready to leave for Mendoza on Saturday. See you on the mountain!

Best regards,
Craig Falkenhagen
Atherton, CA

Posted by: Craig Falkenhagen on 1/15/2015 at 1:41 pm

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Enjoy Views at Camp 1

January 13, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,200'

We've got another rock star crew baby! Team 4 is at Camp 1 at 16,342' feet and everyone is feeling great! The views are getting better by the minute. A few clouds are slipping away in the distance and the breeze is keeping us cool. We are sipping hot soup and simply soaking up the sights. Tomorrow we plan on carrying more goods and gear higher up and I anticipate everyone is going to do awesome!! If like to give a special message to my sister. Happy Birthday Jodi!!! RMI Guide JJ Justman & Team

Aconcagua: Blais & Team Summit!

January 12, 2015

Posted by: Zeb Blais, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 22,841'

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 PT RMI 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.

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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?

Posted by: Kim Wright on 1/15/2015 at 7:42 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Enjoy a Rest Day at Basecamp

January 12, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

It's another day of rest for our Aconcagua team at Base Camp. Initially our team was wondering why we were going to take a second day of rest here. After yesterday's carry to Camp 1 at 16,000 plus feet the team understands. This mountain climbing is tiring work! We had a casual morning here at base. Steve and I made our famous home fried potatoes that even brought the Base Camp cooks out to get a plateful. After breakfast we went for a walk and got a great view of base camp from a whole different vantage point. Now team members are lounging, taking showers and ordering pizzas. Tomorrow we plan on moving up to Camp 1. If you don't mind, I need to address one of RMI's owners, the Legendary Joe Horiskey. Joe, please, no matter what happens between the Sea...what's their name again...and the Green Bay Packers, I hope we can still be friends! RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Holler mi Familia!
I hope you two are not only surviving but enjoying yourselves too. The rest of my trip in Colorado was great. Mom and I are going to see a puppet show about caring for elders with dementia on Friday…how will you be spending your Friday night? Dad I booked us a meditation retreat that takes place in Auschwitz in November. Love and miss you both!!

Dad-To a man standing at the edge of a cliff, progress is defined as taking a step backwards.

Jenny-What is happening within us, will create what is happening outside of us.

I BELIEVE IN YOU, SO YOU BELIVE IN YOU!

Love, G

Posted by: G on 1/14/2015 at 6:01 pm

Christmas cards arrived yesterday and they look great! Jenny, thanks for all of you did getting the artwork ready. David, your 30 are in the mail today, the rest will follow this week. I am going to MN this weekend so I will be home to retrieve you two intrepid hikers from ORD on the 27th. Love you both!
M/N

Posted by: nancy Hines on 1/13/2015 at 6:15 pm

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Wake to Beautiful Skies and Carry to Camp 1

January 11, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Last night I was woken up at 2am by a flashing outside my tent. I thought to myself, "Who is taking photos right now!?" So I took advantage of being awake and got up to use the bathroom when I realized the flashing was actually coming from an enormous electrical storm nearly 50 miles east from basecamp. With a relatively large moon out, you could see the huge towering clouds stretching tens of thousands of feet into the air and the lightning was so intense and so massive that it was lighting up basecamp. How incredible! Never have I seen such a display of lightning! On a less exciting note the team woke up to PERFECT weather. Boring right? No, but I capitalize perfect because it truly was. Breathe less wind, blue skies and warm temps. Perfect for sticking your nose into higher altitude. Which is exactly what we did! The team made the first carry to Camp I (16,200ft) like they were walking out to retrieve the morning paper. Casually. Very impressive! We arrived at Camp I, took a short break, cached our gear and made our descent back to basecamp. I ran down ahead of the group and prepared some pitchers of juice, fresh fruit and sliced cucumber with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt for lunch. The team is now taking a well deserved siesta before dinner as we look forward to our last day in basecamp tomorrow. RMI Guide Steve Gately

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Run Forest Run! Kansas City is behind you Adrienne.

Posted by: Pat OBoyle on 1/12/2015 at 8:30 am

Congrats to you Green Bay Packers, JJ. What a hoof biter of a game!!!

~ Horatio

Posted by: Horatio on 1/12/2015 at 6:58 am

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Aconcagua: Blais & Team at High Camp

January 11, 2015

Posted by: Zeb Blais, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 19,600'

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

RMI Guide Alex Barber calls in from High Camp.

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Way to go Adrienne! Can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back.

Shannon & Pat

Posted by: Shannon O'Boyle on 1/12/2015 at 10:18 am

Crush it!

We’re all rooting for you back here in Vancouver =)
Nick, Andrea, Julia, Emily and Kai

Posted by: Nick Grabovac on 1/12/2015 at 9:06 am

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Aconcagua: Blais & Team Check In from Camp 2

January 10, 2015

Posted by: Zeb Blais, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

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 Guide Zeb Blais calls in from Camp 2.

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Spend First Night at Bascamp

January 10, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

It is supposed to be a day of rest here in base camp but let's be honest! How can you rest when the Green Bay Packers are playing and there isn't a television in sight! Go Green Bay!!! Our Aconcagua Team is rocking it! After our first night at base everyone woke up feeling great! We had a great breakfast of scrambled eggs and now we are down to business getting ready for our carry to Camp 1. The team says hello to family and friends. Pass the word around of our blog and keep wishing us luck. But with a team like this, who needs luck! Start sending in your comments, we'd love to hear from you! RMI Guide JJ Justman

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David, Good Luck. That’s a damn high mountain!!

Posted by: Lloyd on 1/11/2015 at 9:06 pm

G returned safely from Colorado this afternoon, and we had a nice visit with Irena. It finally warmed up a bit this weekend, but it is snowing for the fourth time since you two left. Should have given me lessons on using the snowblower. Had a great dinner with the Dunnes, Sullivans and Josses last night. Everyone missed you and had lots of questions about your trip. Pat has been looking for you on the live feed from base camp, but so far no Jenny or David sightings. Have a good day tomorrow. Be safe! Love, Mom/Nan

Posted by: Nancy Hines on 1/11/2015 at 8:25 pm

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Aconcagua: Blais & Team Move to Camp 2

January 9, 2015

Posted by: Zeb Blais, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 18,000'

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.

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Reach Base Camp

January 9, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Steve Gately

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

It always feels so good to get to Base Camp! This morning the team crossed the cold Vacas River and began the trek to our new home up the Relinchos Valley . We had clear skies and for once little to no wind to combat with which made everyone quite grateful! Upon arriving the cool staff had juice, cheese, cold meats and melon for us to recover with! For now the team will sent up tents, take a siesta and prepare themselves for our always delicious base camp dinner's. Tomorrow's agenda has us taking a rest day, life is rough! Stay tuned! RMI Guide Steve Gately & Team

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Hey Sue, Jo & Robert,
Congrats on reaching Base Camp. Enjoy your rest day and the food, and don’t forget your manners…..as on Kili, when preping your coffee remember to say “PLEASE pass the powdered cow”!
I predict your team will power up the hill on your carry to camp 2!

Posted by: Russ Frederickson on 1/10/2015 at 8:57 am

Keep up the good climb, sue and team. Love following your travels. Raining here in Orange county today and tomorrow.
Patty

Posted by: Patty on 1/10/2015 at 8:48 am

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Entries from Aconcagua

Aconcagua: Billy Nugent & Team Finish Up Loose Ends and Are on Their Way

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Enjoy Views at Camp 1

Aconcagua: Blais & Team Summit!

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Enjoy a Rest Day at Basecamp

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Wake to Beautiful Skies and Carry to Camp 1

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Aconcagua: Blais & Team at High Camp

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Aconcagua: Blais & Team Check In from Camp 2

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Spend First Night at Bascamp

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Aconcagua: Blais & Team Move to Camp 2

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Reach Base Camp

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