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Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Ben Luedtke, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
Today began with a team meeting at breakfast. Last night there was a possibility that mud slides in the Vacas Valley would prevent us from coming down the mountain the way we came. Fearless leader Dom confirmed we would not be able to backtrack the way we came and instead would go down the other side of the mountain to the Mulas base camp, a route known as the "360." Since we would not be able to go back to our original base camp, we'll have one of the helicopters pick up our duffels and bring them to us at the Mulas base camp.
Our carry day to Camp 3 today brought many us to new high points, with Camp 3 at nearly 19,600ft. Since we would have to carry all our gear up and over the mountain, as opposed to caching it at Camp 2, we all had pretty heavy packs. As we climbed today, the air got thinner and thinner, for most of us requiring a breath every step. Even though we have been at 18,000ft for almost two days, it still required significant fortitude to keep climbing.
High elevation does a number on your body. As you climb higher, the decreasing oxygen makes it difficult to even do the very basic tasks, you loose your appetite and have to force yourself to eat, and for most climbers there is a point where they need start taking Diamox to help prevent high altitude pulmonary and cerebral edema.
After a few days at a particular elevation, we get acclimatized and start feeling good. But we can only bring so many supplies and we have only so many days to get to the summit and back. So our schedule keeps us moving to a new higher point just as we were getting used to our current camp. This is mountaineering and one of the many things that makes it so difficult and the act of doing it so rewarding. Getting to a rest stop on a hike or the next-higher camp on a carry or move day brings a sense of relief that is hard to find in any other activity.
As we approach our last uphill move day, and followed soon after by our summit bid, it's important to remember what a great feat we have accomplished so far, and how lucky we are to be up here with the best climbing team you could ask for.
Climber Andy Green
New Post Alerts:
Aconcagua Expedition January 12, 2024
Monday, July 3, 2023 - 9:05 pm PT
It has been a windy snowy 24 hrs at 11,000ft. Not very pleasant to be outside of the tents for long. We are biding our time, waiting to make a break for it.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Congratulations & Happy 4th of July!
Jokes are all downhill from here… :D
Posted by: FAUSTINE SAMEC on 7/4/2023 at 9:24 pm
Posted by: Linden Mallory, Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 7,300'
On The Map
On The Map
Larry
You are very experienced with “The waiting game”!
Hang in there ... taking full advantage of “resting up” in preparation of successfully “heading up” when it becomes safe and appropriate to do so.
Take care,
Fred K
Posted by: Fred Klingbeil on 12/16/2013 at 10:07 am
Hope the weather clears soon for you. Love that you can “watch TV”. You have more power than we do in the North Georgia mountains when it hits a balmy 25 degrees+. Be safe and good luck. We’re thinking of you.
Posted by: Mom/Grandma on 12/16/2013 at 8:24 am
Posted by: JJ Justman, Solveig Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 14,700'
RMI Guide JJ Justman checks in from high camp on Ixtaccihuatl.
On The Map
Excellent. Glad everyone is ok!
Posted by: Mic Walter on 10/23/2013 at 9:48 pm
Posted by: Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Saturday, November 30, 2024 - 5:48 pm PT
Today is rest day in Camp 2. I don’t know what Dom’s blog said about yesterday’s ‘hike’ to Camp 2, but it was hellish. Endless fixed lines, rising almost perpendicularly - a little exaggerated - and me demonstrating the art of the ascender to all. We literally died when we reached Camp 2. So today was Lazarus day - the day to bring the team back from the dead. We slept, or rested, ‘til about noon. Chris had a quick blood transfusion to overcome the odor poisoning he suffered in our tent last night. Then it was hydration, eat, and construct our best version of the mess tent. Dom has taken over design, as he was quite put out by the excellent design the rest of the team executed in Base camp without his input or supervision, while he tunneled looking for the origin of man, or more accurately Dave Hahn. Dom is quite fussy about his cooking space, the worktop height, easy access to the spice rack - it’s a bit like Gordon Ramsey! In fairness he is an ace with the ice-saw.
We had a quick stroll to the most fantastic viewing point. Looking down on the dot of Camp 1 in the valley below, and the most incredible view of Mt Shin, and the pinnacle ridge leading to Tyree. However it is way too cold to linger, someone said -25F. Antartica brings a whole new definition to the word cold. Hopefully Lazarus day works and we’ll be fit to give Vinson a shot tomorrow.
- RMI Climber Myles
New Post Alerts:
Vinson Expedition November 22, 2024
Sending good vibes to the team. Go Myles Go! Got the best leader in Dom!
-Andrew
Posted by: Andrew H Hall on 12/1/2024 at 4:19 pm
Dear Vinson Team 2024
The good news is - you have reached the high camp.
That was not the coldest but the hardest part of the expedition.
I remember Dave saying - whoever reaches high camp also reaches the summit.
Dave said on the last evening in the high camp:
“Today there is no one in all of America who has had a dinner as high as ours.”
Supposedly there were more people on Everest than on Vison and you will be one of them.
I wish you bright sunshine on the way to the summit and hopefully no wind.
I am sure you can do it and will never forget the last steps to the summit.
Take care of yourselves, you can’t feel the cold anymore because of all the happiness. I lost a fingertip while taking photos at the summit, it turned black and somehow I kept thinking about ET.
Good luck to you all.
Dear Anja, my thoughts are with you - Hans
Posted by: Hans on 12/1/2024 at 8:34 am
On The Map
Nancy , I am so proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!What an experience. Jackie and I are here looking at the photos of your trek…...WOW!
Posted by: mimi on 4/3/2014 at 8:58 am
Hi Liz and all your spirited team members!
So proud of you guys and wishing you all the best as you continue on a trip of a lifetime! So proud of you all!!! Very inspirational to see you guys pushing it to your limit.
Sending Love and light,
Karin
Posted by: Karin Hathaway on 3/25/2014 at 1:03 pm
On The Map
Larry and the gang: Glad to know the weather is cooperating and hope it continues. What tales you can tell us when you return. Best wishes to all! Gerri S.
Posted by: Gerri Seaton on 12/12/2013 at 5:18 pm
Larry and Crew
Great to hear how your expedition is progressing so well! Hope the weather continues to be good. Excited to hear how your safely and successful move up the mountain!! Keep each other warm and best of success!!!
Fred K
Posted by: Fred Klingbeil on 12/12/2013 at 6:35 am
On The Map
It’s a great accomplishment for all of you. You did it Liz & Kym! Woof & Marj
Posted by: Marjorie Schupbach on 9/21/2013 at 3:26 pm
Hi Sis! I hope you are having a great time up there, I just wanted to tell you that Mom and I are always thinking about you and woof woof Norman too! I hope the weather improves for you all soon and at least on Summit day. Love you!
Posted by: John S on 9/21/2013 at 9:19 am
This just got even more exciting. Mudslides, helicopter transport and an alternative route. You’re all so close!
Posted by: Ed DaPra on 1/25/2024 at 7:19 pm
Amazing! Difficult! Rewarding! And the VIEW!
Personally could have done without some of the detail on the altitude challenges on the body Dr. Green. I trust the spirit of the team to check on each other. Difficult day for sure.
And, best of all, The Summit is Just There!
Posted by: Michelle DeMers on 1/25/2024 at 4:04 pm
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