RMI Expeditions Blog
Good evening everybody! Today we awoke well rested and ready to enjoy a full day of intense lounging. It wasn't all sunshine, we needed to sort all of our group gear and get ready for our carry day tomorrow. Then we had to report for duty and get checked out by the Basecamp Doctor. Don't worry,we've all had plenty of Dulce de leche treats and the doc says we're all in tip top shape. We spent the rest of the day taking in the beautiful views at Basecamp, had another incredible dinner served by Grajales, and are ready to see what all the hype is about up at Camp 1.
RMI Guide Ben Luedtke
January 13, 2023
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
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Our Aconcagua team moved to High Camp. The winds stopped as if a switch had been flipped around 9:30 last night. The eerily calm night led to another calm and hot day. The summit winds were still high with snow blowing 1,000 feet into the sky but have begun to calm down, or all the snow has vacated the summit. We will get some rest, eat and hydrate before turning in for the evening. Sleep is hard to come by at 19,600'. Hoping for a successful summit day tomorrow. We'll keep you posted!
--RMI Guide Mike King and team
Love reading the updates. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers for a safe and successful summit. Brother Mitch, we love and can’t wait to hear all about your adventures.
Posted by: Marianne Harvey on 1/14/2023 at 10:05 am
Good luck team - Pez and Mike make it happen!
Posted by: Scott on 1/14/2023 at 6:17 am
January 12, 2023
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 9,350'
Hello friends, families, Farmer Dave and anyone else out there who might be following our blog. We have just kicked off the first Ecuador Expedition of 2023. It started with a rainy travel day and a rainy day for our Quito city tour (although a few of us still managed minor sunburns). Today, we took our first acclimatization hike and were surprised/delighted to wake up to partially sunny skies!
The hike up Rucu Pichincha is really quite scenic. I think it’s my favorite day hike in the world that is more or less in a major metropolitan area. A gondola takes us to 13,000’ where we begin our ascent to the summit of Rucu Pichincha (13,354’). Along the way there are a variety of wildflowers and the final push to the summit is engaging, involving a short section of class 3 scrambling.
I should also mention that the team is in good health, especially thanks to the newly renovated penthouse spa here at the Hotel Mercure. Many of us have used this opportunity to cycle cold plunges and wet sauna or cold plunges and hot tubbing. Henry, the ultimate masochist, prefers cold plunge only, first thing in the morning.
Tomorrow we will depart Quito early to head north. The itinerary of this trip has us working our way from north to south, making attempts on Cayambe, Antisana and Chimborazo. These are the 3rd, 4th and 1st highest mountains in Ecuador, respectively. We also hope to capture a glimpse of Cotopaxi, which is normally on the itinerary but was scratched this time due to recent eruptions and a moratorium on summit bids. Better to witness that from a safe distance.
Two adventurous young women! Wishing them and all of you the best on both continents.
How great to stay in touch and be able to go along on your climb laptop-wise.
Posted by: Coreen on 1/13/2023 at 11:25 pm
It’s got to be Sarah that has a sunburn in the cloudy weather :-D That’s a Hillebrand special! Wishing you all a safe journey and glad for the blog updates!
Posted by: Hannah on 1/13/2023 at 12:32 pm
January 12, 2023
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Ben Luedtke, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Howdy all,
After a somewhat fitful nights sleep accompanied by the barking of our new dog friend and the whineying of mules, the team awoke to some slightly threatening skies. Luckily we had the reprieve of our dome tent to allow for an easy morning breakfast and coffee. As if the coffee wasn't enough to wake us up we began the morning crossing the Vacas River to enter into the Relinchos Valley. The mules were hot on our tail as we began our gradual ascent to Plaza de Argentina Basecamp. Once gaining a high platuea we received our second view of Ameghino and Aconcagua. The stoke rose with the elevation. We were greeted warmly to Plaza de Argentina with some tasty and warm lentil soup, juice, dulce de leche and fresh fruit. The afternoon was spent taking in the panoramic views and lots of relaxing. After another delicious meal and some fine Mendoza malbec, the team, full, happy and tired, retreated to their tents. That's it for now, tune in next time!
RMI Guides Hannah, Ben, Dan and the team
Hey Hannah! Wishing you and your team great rest at basecamp and all the best ahead and above!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/14/2023 at 3:28 am
January 12, 2023
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
Our team will take another weather day at Camp 2. Strong winds and lots of snow will keep us from moving up hill today. Tomorrow is our last chance to move to High Camp. We will hope to have a summit bid on the 14th. The team is hunkered down in their tents as 40 mph wind gusts roar through camp.
RMI Guide Mike King
Thinking of you and wishing for good weather for you all. Love Vonne.
Posted by: Vonne on 1/14/2023 at 7:08 pm
Thinking of the group and wishing you luck! 40mph winds, yikes! We got about 14in of snow yesterday, then some rain. Hopefully it keeps coming so we can start snowmobiling!
Missing you - Lydia, Matt & Wilhelmina
Posted by: Lydia on 1/14/2023 at 5:53 am
January 11, 2023
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Ben Luedtke, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 10,550'
Hey-O,
Another day down. We woke to clear skies and a brisk temperature, after some coffee and breakfast we hit the trail.
At Lenas we made friends with a cute dog, and she has decided to continue along with us. A short way into our day we crossed a bridge over the Vacas River. She began winning and refused to cross, choosing the river instead! The river swept her away until she clung to a rock! One of our brave climbers leapt into action and went to the rock and plucked her out by her scruff. Hopefully that is the most excitement of our trip!!
The team cruised up valley making easy work of the day. Our new four legged friend stayed with us the whole time. The winds picked up towards the end, as per usual, for this camp. When we arrived, we enjoyed some down time waiting for our duffels in an empty dome tent. There we cooked dinner and chatted before bedtime.
Tomorrow, we take a hard left into the Relinchos Valley which will take us to basecamp. We are all excited for the amenities that come with basecamp, including some Wi-Fi to share some photos. It's early to bed for us so we can rest up for tomorrow’s trek.
Talk to tomorrow,
RMI Guides Hannah, Ben, Dan and Team
January 11, 2023
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
Our Camp 2 staycation continues with a weather day. The winds are blowing above with lots of snow transport. We went for a walk and are enjoying warm tents with some Pink Floyd playing in the background. The appetites are still strong and team is getting restless. The 14th looks like the best summit day when considering wind speed and trail breaking.
Thanks for following along.
We’re sorry to hear about the summit delay, but are very happy you are with guides that care so much about safety!
Hoping you packed in enough food so that you aren’t sizing up your teammates for BBQ options, haha!
Bitter cold here this am, folks had -4. We’re expecting 10 inches of snow, followed by rain, so I guess the weather people don’t know.
You’ll love this: ALL of the US airlines were shut down for hours this morning because the centralized air traffic control program went haywire!
Yesterday I saw two owls! They were huge, one on the way home from work and the other at the peak of our lone Maple tree on the road in front of our yard.
Sending you all hugs. Keep your spirits up, this is a once in a lifetime climb! XOXOXO Momma & Dad
Posted by: Momma & Dad on 1/11/2023 at 11:56 am
I can only imagine how hard it is to wait. Sending all of our positive vibes and love.
Posted by: Emily on 1/11/2023 at 11:09 am
January 10, 2023
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Ben Luedtke, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
We woke in our beds ready to start the day. We ate breakfast, grabbed our duffels, and loaded the van. A quick 45 minute drive (there was air breaking being done by all) brought us to Penitentes. We weighed our duffels for the mules and reloaded the van to bring to the trailhead. The team made quick work of today's hike. Lulls of no breeze made for a hot walk but when the wind did hit it it was the best feeling. A couple rest breaks and some frogger with another team got us to camp. To say we are roughing it would be a lie. We enjoyed melon and nuts for a snack at a picnic table waiting for our mule team to arrive. For dinner was Carne Asada, chorizo, potatoes, cabbage salad, bread and wine. No complaints over here. Things will get tougher, but not just yet. Tomorrow is another day hiking along the Vacas River. Weather was good today and hopefully good tomorrow.
Good night all,
RMI Guides Hannah, Ben, Dan and team
January 10, 2023
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
Today our Aconcagua Team is taking a rest day at Camp 2, 18,000'. We had a cold night with light winds that blew the weather pattern of the last five days out of the area. Dark clouds and high winds plague the summit. We'll focus on eating, rest and hydration. Our plan will be to move up to High Camp up the 12th, and make our summit attempt on the 13th. We are hoping the snow firms up and we get clear weather.
Hi Team: I’m with you in spirit if not in body. My very best for your summit attempt. I’m willing those winds to lay down and the snow to sublimate away. I’m toasting you and the mountain which I can see from the vineyards here in The Valle de Lujà n de Cuyo, raising glasses of Torontés, Malbec and Cabernet Franc to you all and your climb. Salud!
Posted by: Lisa Fernandez on 1/11/2023 at 7:53 am
Hey Mike! Wishing you and your team all the best on your summit!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/11/2023 at 5:03 am
Monday, January 9, 2023 - 6:08 pm PT
Hello hello,
Well me made it out of Mendoza. We were patiently and anxiously awaiting two duffles. Thanks to using the apple air tags we knew they were in flight and confirmed to be at the Mendoa airport. A pit stop to grab the goods and we were on the road towards Aconcagua Provincial Park. Two hours following the Mendoza River brought us to Uspallata. Tummies were rumbling so we picked up some empanadas and checked into the hotel. Before we could lay down for a nap we had some work to do. Everyone sorted their gear into a day pack, a trekking duffle, and a basecamp duffle. The duffle shuffle is a big part of the game these first handful of days. With everything organized we are ready to get back in the van and begin our hike. Tomorrow will start Day 1 of our mountain days. Everyone is itching to hit the trail and get some miles behind us. It helps that tomorrow we get a delicious Carne asada dinner cooked over a fire...it is finger licking good. We did enjoy some thunderstorms this afternoon. The rumbles in the sky made for great background noise for the evening nap. Hopefully mother nature got it all out of her system and we have dry weather.
Good night and talk to you from the trail!
RMI Guides Hannah, Ben, Dan and Team
Rob, Barry - Following you, wish I were there - welcome the challenge, have fun!
Posted by: Jenny French on 1/10/2023 at 8:44 am
Awesome to see. Very cool to finally be hitting the trail. I would be superstoked to be along. Safe travels and keep the posts coming.
Posted by: Terry Reilly on 1/10/2023 at 4:53 am
Hey Hannah, Wishing you and your Team strength and stamina and great weather moving up the mountain!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/15/2023 at 9:22 am
Really enjoying reading about this grand adventure! Best wishes.
Posted by: Peter Darasz on 1/14/2023 at 5:45 am
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