Aconcagua Expedition: King & Team Make a Carry to 15,500’
Posted by: Mike King, Nick Scott, Gloria Roe
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Today we carried ten days of food and fuel along with some personal gear to 15,500’. Our intended goal was Camp 1 but strong winds forced us to cache lower on the mountain. The route out of base camp follows a narrow choke with the Relinchos Glacier on the right and a large rock buttress on the left. Once through the choke, we rambled on through the scree covered glacier with great views of the surrounding peaks. From here we have one more large scree slope to switch back up and Camp 1 sits on a flat bench.
The mountain is holding more winter snow then I have seen in the 13 years I’ve been coming down here. Unfortunately the wind was too strong to allow us out on the snow. The entrance to Camp 1 is through a steep and narrow drainage that funnels wind on the best of days let alone when we are having trouble standing on flat ground. We compiled our gear and food, covered it with large talus and headed back to base camp. The Team preformed well on their first heavy carry and their downhill walking was excellent, even with the high winds. We will rest tomorrow and hope for the wind to ease off.
RMI Guide Mike King
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Comments (5)
This sounds like an amazing adventure! We are so proud of you and we know you can do it!
-Tom and Maggie
Writing from a Waffle House in East Kentucky
Posted by: Tom and Maggie on
You guys are all amazing! This is a challenge for me to even think about your climb. Please be safe and enjoy every minute of this incredible experience.
Momma Kay
Posted by: Kay Robinson on
Patty,
So proud of you! I know this is very challenging but so cool you are doing this! Can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back. Thinking of you.
Dave & Tony
Posted by: Dave Carlson on
Walking through ridges of hip high ice looks incredibly difficult. I sure admire the whole group. Hope the winds die down.
Mom
Posted by: Michelle on
Patty,
Sounds intense but incredible. No doubt you must be amazed at all you have seen and experienced, not to mention the thrill of what lies ahead. Congrats to all of you in pursuit of the summit and for all of the preparation enabling you to meet the challenge. Enjoying reading the updates each evening.
John
Posted by: John Kudla on