Aconcagua: Gately & Team Summit Bid on the Horizon
Posted by: Steve Gately, Hannah McGowan
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
The storm settled out late last night and we woke to clear cold skies this morning. The forecast was calling for improving weather and decreasing winds down to 15mph throughout the day. I was a bit skeptical of this forecast as I was seeing signs of approaching weather to the West over Chile. We opted to have a slow morning to allow the weather time to deteriorate if it was going to. After getting an updated forecast speaking yet again of calm weather we opted to start packing and head up to high camp. Of course a few minutes into taking down our tents a large lenticular cloud, often indicative of high winds, formed over the mountains rocky summit. By the time we were finished packing, clouds were rolling over camp and a gentle snow had begun to fall. Not more then 10 minutes out of camp the weather turned into a genuine blizzard! We turned around, made the 5-minute walk back and started to reestablish camp. Tomorrow is our last opportunity to go for the summit before high winds plague the area again. With the forecast still showing clear skies and light winds we'll opt to try for the summit from Camp II tomorrow morning assuming the forecast is correct. This makes an already big day that much bigger but the team is up to the challenge. Pray to the Weather Gods for us!
RMI Guide Steve Gately
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Comments (4)
Boyd and Team, I am sending good karma your way and praying for a safe summit tomorrow!
Posted by: George on
Good luck on the summit attempt tomorrow! We are cheering you on Bob!
Joe and Karen
Posted by: Joe Reinkemeyer on
Godspeed tomorrow! We will be thinking of you all every moment! Peggy and John
Posted by: Peggy on
Thanks for all these updates Steve. Bob we are all keeping fingers and toes crossed for you and the team!
Posted by: John Horgan on