Entries By ben liken
Well here we are, settled into our camp at 19,600'. We arrived earlier today and spent the afternoon getting our tents anchored, water going, hots made and dinner into our bellies. Ben cranked out a huge pot of ramen and mashed potatoes, which should provide ample fuel for tomorrow's push towards the summit.
The team is psyched and ready for the final leg of this incredible journey. We'll be up early and out for our summit attempt well before the sun comes up, so it's off to bed early. The patter of light snow on our tent walls is going to be tonight's lullaby, and hopefully the winds remain light. Keep sending the good wishes and stay tuned for tomorrow's update!
RMI Guide Garrett Stevens
On The Map
We went to bed last night hoping for lighter winds than the previous night, and thankfully the weather gods delivered the goods. The team enjoyed uninterrupted slumber, and woke today to more blue skies.
The weather has definitely gotten a little colder than it was down below, so our morning was a slow roll through hot coffee and cereal. As the sun climbed higher, the temps warmed and the crew enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere of cards and conversation in our tents.
We continued resting throughout the day, conserving energy for tomorrow's move to Camp 3. If all goes well and the weather continues to hold, we'll be checking in from the highest reaches of this beautiful mountain over the next couple of days. Keep it dialed in for more updates!
RMI Guide Garrett Stevens & Team
Today started early for the team when a wind storm kicked up through camp in the middle of the night, snapping anchor lines and making sleep quite difficult. We did manage to grab a few zzzz's, however, in between resetting anchors. But the nighttime fun ensured we were all up with the sun, ready for hot drinks and a hot breakfast.
We spent a couple of hours after breakfast reinforcing the rock walls around the tent platforms, and then packed up personal climbing gear for a carry to Camp 3 at 19,600'. The team moved well as we got higher and higher, with the thin air forcing each of us to concentrate on good rest stepping and being as efficient as possible. The wind stayed with us all day, making our down layers feel nice despite the bright sun.
We dropped our cache at high camp and headed back down. Many personal altitude records were set today, as the team remains strong. An early dinner was in order and now we're tucked into sleeping bags, hoping for calmer weather and a more restful night.
Now it's just a waiting game; waiting for the right forecast and good weather for our launch towards high camp and the summit bid. Thanks for your support and we'll follow up tomorrow!
RMI Guide Garrett Stevens
On The Map
The team has now trekked into the thin air of Camp 2. With an elevation of 18,000' nothing proves to be easy up here. Even the simple tasks like setting up tents, inflating a sleeping pad, or heading to the bathroom take twice as long, but the team is handling it perfectly!
After a relatively short hike up and now having camp established, the goal is to breathe, sip water, and feel good. With the views of this proudly positioned camp it can at least aid in the task of feeling 100%. It looks in one direction northward over the impressive crest of the Andes Mountains, with glaciers pouring out of the high valleys. In another direction, is our next goal, Camp 3, 1,600' above our current location. And in yet another, the top of Aconcagua, around 4,800' above us.
As the summit draws closer, it is tough to just lay in the tent and let our bodies adjust to this unforgiving environment, but very key to our success. The team is strong, positive, and amped to be in one of the highest places in the world.
RMI Guide Garrett Stevens
On The Map
Hope you are having a great trip. Your hard work is paying off. Be safe!
Posted by: Martha on 1/9/2014 at 4:10 am
Good job Dad all your hard work is paying off, hope your enjoying your self.
Posted by: Gabe and the Family on 1/8/2014 at 8:13 pm
One of the hardest things about climbing big mountains is managing your time. There are days when you have to hammer down, grab that pack, and head up. Today, thankfully, wasn't one of those days.
Instead, we took a rest day here at Camp 1. More sun and light winds made it a pleasant day to be calm and quiet around camp, to catch up on stories from other team members, and continue our hydration.
We'll be moving tomorrow, so a day to replenish and refuel before going higher was definitely appreciated. We will check in from Camp 2 tomorrow...until then, keep your fingers crossed for continued good weather!
RMI Guides Garrett Stevens, Ben Liken, and Nick Brown
On The Map
Hey Stefan! I was just thinking….. that’s all. Did it make you smile??
Posted by: Martha on 1/8/2014 at 9:39 am
Stefan and group. Keep up the hard work you can do this:-) Hope you are having a great time. It is freezing here in Florida.
Posted by: Martha on 1/8/2014 at 4:18 am
When you think about mountain climbing, it can generally conjure up images of folks heading up and out in the predawn hours, headlamps shining as they make their way higher. While we'll get to experience that later in the trip, today's mission was to get our luggage staged at chopper camp, roughly 18,000' on Aconcagua.
We woke to more clear blue skies and absolutely still air. This rare combination on Aconcagua is something to savor, which we did as we departed camp at the civilized hour of 9 am and made our way up and over Ameghino Col and around towards Camp 2.
In very short order the team pulled into camp with our kits, got the gear stashed, and headed back to the comfort of our tents at Camp 1. We are currently sitting inside, trying to avoid the intense UV that is beating down out there.
This afternoon is the start of a nice long rest period for us, as we will be chilling here for the remainder of today and all of tomorrow. We'll check back in later!
RMI Guide Garrett Stevens
On The Map
Bill and Team! Yahoo… enjoy resting and relaxing as you trek downward. So looking forward to seeing you on January 23rd Bill…breakfast is my treat! D
Posted by: Dav'ne on 1/7/2014 at 8:46 am
Enjoy your day resting. Take lots of pictures.
Posted by: Martha on 1/7/2014 at 4:17 am
Today the team awoke to blue skies and calm winds for our last basecamp breakfast before we begin to ascend the upper slopes of Aconcagua. After some coffee and a few last minute preparations we were on our way to a night at 16,450'.
As we set off up the moraine with the sun at our backs everything seemed perfect. The team made short work of the day and before too long we were on the steep scree just before Camp 1. Once we arrived and everyone had enjoyed a snack, it was back to work establishing our camp for the next three days. Now after a solid tortellini meal we are all stuffed into our -30 degree sleeping bags awaiting the beautiful stars of the Southern Hemisphere.
Tomorrow we carry a load of gear to over 18,000' and the team is ready for it. You'll here from us soon!
RMI Guides Garrett, Ben, and Nick
On The Map
Keep up the great work guys. So proud to call you my friend Stefan. Miss your smiling face but know you are having a blast. Stay safe!
Posted by: Martha on 1/6/2014 at 4:31 am
Good job Stefan. Stacy runs the marathon Sunday am. Beat her up the mountain!
Posted by: Skipper on 1/5/2014 at 9:06 pm
The goal for today is to get as relaxed as possible here at our base camp. Towards that end, the team has been chilling in our group tent since breakfast, which included oatmeal, cereal, egg/bacon/onion quesadillas, and copious amounts of coffee. There is currently an epic game of Hearts happening, with various members tapping in and out as they get frustrated with picking up the Queen of Spades (David in particular).
Tomorrow will be a big day, as we will be moving up towards our next camp at 16,400'. The gear is staged, the crew is ready, and our team dynamic is as strong as one could hope. The weather continues to be gorgeous; light winds and lots of sun here at Plaza Argentina. Here's hoping it holds steady for the next few days!
We are sending positive vibes up to Jake Beren and his team, as we believe today is their summit day. Good luck to them...we are looking forward to seeing them as we bump up tomorrow. Until then, stick with us for more details!
Cheers,
RMI Guides Garrett Stevens, Ben Liken and Nick Brown
On The Map
Been following your teams posts, sounds like quite the trip! Happy New Year David!
-Sarah
Posted by: Sarah Williams on 1/5/2014 at 11:54 am
Watching your progress from faraway Frogtown Virginia USA and sending you best wishes for good weather and safe travels!
Mike and Susan Browns
Posted by: Mike Brown on 1/4/2014 at 5:18 pm
Today was a beautiful day here on Aconcagua, with clear blue skies and lots of sunshine for our carry up to Camp One. We had quite a bit of wind here in base camp last night and were worried that we might be walking up into the teeth of it today, but the weather gods smiled on us instead.
We were walking just as the sun came into camp, and were able to make steady progress through the broken and rocky morainal slopes above us. Soon enough we came to the heinous scree slope that guards the bench of Camp One, and the team made short work of the last few hundred feet.
We dropped our food, some equipment, and some gas for our launch towards the upper reaches of the mountain, and were headed down soon thereafter. All the luggage is currently awaiting our return, but tomorrow we'll take a hard-earned rest day. The team continues to climb strong, hydrate well, and eat hearty portions, which will pay dividends when we head up higher on this beautiful mountain.
Thanks for all the kind words, and keep your fingers crossed for continued good weather!
RMI Guides Garrett, Ben, and Nick
On The Map
Sorry I have been slacking. Was aiming for a daily hello from home. I missed sorry. Hope you guys are having a great trip. Can’t wait dr you to get back so we can hear all the stories. Happy hiking!
Posted by: Martha on 1/5/2014 at 1:19 pm
Safe climbing as the team gets closer to the summit!
Go team go!
Matilde
Posted by: matilde on 1/4/2014 at 6:14 am
Well, after three days of hard work on the approach to our climb, we are finally taking some deserved time off. This is the first of our "rest days" which we are using to relax, refuel, and acclimatize. The team is loving it.
We started the morning with some sleeping in and a leisurely breakfast of loaded egg quesadillas, while watching a few flurries drift off of the upper mountain. After the sun started to heat our base camp weather-port and some digesting had taken place the team prepared their gear for our carry to Camp 1 tomorrow at 16,200'. The packs are heavy but the spirits are high as the mountain looms above.
For the rest of the evening the name of the game is chilling.....playing cards, eating snacks, taking in the sights, and trying to guess what our dinner could be by the delicious smell coming from the kitchen. Stay tuned as we continue our ascent tomorrow!
RMI Guides,
Garret, Ben, and Nick
On The Map
Keep on climbing team,
And don’t forget the pics! We will be waiting for it.
The Northeast is covered in a blanked of snow… and is pretty cold in Tampa too.
Matilde
Posted by: Matilde on 1/3/2014 at 7:06 am
Glad to know the climb is going well! Wish I could be there with my bud James Blackwell! I’m living life through you, tub buddy!
Posted by: Dr. Bizzle on 1/3/2014 at 6:48 am
Stef - Winds are decreasing Saturday night! Looking good for the summit attempt on Sunday. Good luck to all. All is ok back home.
Posted by: Steve on 1/10/2014 at 11:43 am
Go team! I checked the mountain summit forecast and it looks like the winds will be slowing down some on Saturday and Sunday, with a change of some snow on Saturday night. Y’all stay safe and warm. Sending love and good summit juju.
Amy
Posted by: Amy on 1/10/2014 at 8:16 am
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