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Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Ben Luedtke, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
“It’s a funny thing about life, if you refuse to accept anything but the best you very often get it.” W. Somerset Maugham
And that’s what we have with this group, the best. Each person brings something unique which together creates something greater, something which makes the team keep giving their all as we make consistent progress on our push towards the summit.
Today, the team bid goodbye to Camp One and moved to Camp Two on Aconcagua. We had a “record-breaking“ moment right before we left Camp One. The team looked forward to moving to Camp Two as we had caught a brief glimpse of the camp yesterday, dropping off our cache, refueling our bodies, maybe sneaking in a little internet and finally heading back down the mountain while surfing the scree on our boots. Now, camp two is our home for the next few nights.
This trip, at least for me and I’m sure this also echoes the sentiments of a few others, has been all about learning, not only learning about each other, but learning about our own individual physical and mental obstacles we face and have overcome and yet to be overcome. The mountain is only there to test the fortitude we already have inside and to make us stronger.
One of my favorite books is Robert Fulghum’s “Everything I Needed To Know I Learned In Kindergarten”, and so, in the spirit of learning, I now present to you “Everything I Didn’t Want To Know But Learned Anyway On Aconcagua”
1. The words Chardonnay and shower can sound remarkably similar at high altitude.
2. Adults still love story time.
3. When you’re having a hard time with the climb and searching for reasons to continue, all you have to do is remember Guide Michael’s words “Whatever motivates you”
4. No matter what you do, no matter what people may say, always keep your spoon……..and in some cases, your fork.
5. Be wary of unknown salt shakers.
6. Make sure you pass food around the table until it gets back to the person who it was originally handed to.
7. And finally, the most important thing to remember, the one thing that you must always keep in mind, especially when you need someone in your corner to help you with that final push to the summit…… Andy Always Wins.
Climber Benjamin Koch
New Post Alerts:
Aconcagua Expedition January 12, 2024
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
You all are AMAZING! I hope you’re having the best time ever!
Posted by: Keri on 7/19/2019 at 6:23 pm
You all are amazing. Have a great hike and stay safe. I cant wait to see pictures.
Posted by: Susie Yonkers on 7/17/2019 at 8:40 am
RMI Guide Casey Grom checks in from Shira Camp.
On The Map
Catherine Deb and Kaki— So glad to get the updates via the blog! You’ve got this! Get in some more photos!
Posted by: Linda Morrison on 1/12/2017 at 3:42 am
Jeff and Sean, hope you are having a great time. Is anything sore yet?
Posted by: Maureen McCroskey on 1/11/2017 at 7:06 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Ben Liken, Sean Collon
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,200'
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RMI Guide Dave Hahn checks in from 17 camp on Mt. McKinley.
On The Map
Great effort everyone ! Hope you can summit soon. Wishing you every success from Switzerland !
Posted by: Beat on 7/14/2014 at 2:57 am
Dave & Team - look forward to following you all the way.
Travel safely.
XOXOXO
Posted by: Mary on 7/13/2014 at 9:04 pm
Ty - Seeing if you can bring me back one of those breakfast burritos you wrote about. They sound delicious. Good luck to you and your team. Be safe and have fun. Bryce T.
Posted by: Bryce on 6/17/2011 at 10:33 am
DEAREST BEN, A VERY HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO YOU AND
ALL PAPAS IN YOUR TEAM. HEARD FROM BEREN THAT YOU ARE
MOVING TOWARDS 17,000’ CAMP. CONGRATS, SUMMIT ALMOST
THERE. LOVE TO YOU AND ALL YOUR TEAMMATES.
MA
Posted by: carmen keegan on 6/17/2011 at 6:32 am
Thank you for the updates! You have all been in the Symphony’s thoughts!
Posted by: Amy on 5/16/2011 at 10:43 am
Glad to hear you are doing well. My prayers are with you. Tell Jim that I missed him at the concertlast night. Jeff Beck was fantastic!
Love,
Ann
Posted by: Ann Boyko on 5/8/2011 at 4:49 pm
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Chase Nelson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Alaska
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Southside
Thank you for the posts. It is great to be able to share in almost real time from half way round the world..Miami Florida. Gregory Waltz is our nephew,
Posted by: Eddie & Shuyu on 8/5/2014 at 5:38 pm
Powerful post and you all have the fortitude to reach the top. Now I’m really curious what is in that salt shaker. Crushed Diamox?
Posted by: Ed DaPra on 1/24/2024 at 6:56 pm
This has been amazing to read through! What grit you all have and I am truly inspired! I have no doubt that you are all strong, prepared and will get ‘er done! Looking forward to following the rest of the adventure :-) “Somewhere between the bottom of the climb and the summit is the answer to the mystery why we climb.” ~ Greg Child
Ben. Also in the spirit of learning I leave you with this, “Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears and never regrets.” ~ Leonardo Da Vinci
Be badass!
So proud of you!
Posted by: Donna (Mackinac/Philly) Scialanca on 1/24/2024 at 8:51 am
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