Entries By dominic cifelli
Posted by: Nick Scott, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
So far the weather has been very predictable. Sunny and clear in the mornings changing to cloudy with snow flurries by dinner time. This has been great for all of our planned movement up and down the mountain and today was no different as the sun was shining and the winds calm for our move up to Camp 2. Tonight will be our first night at 18,000 feet above sea level, a hard place to sleep for sure. Despite the lack of thick air, I don’t think any of us would trade the views just to be lower on the mountain. Camp 2 on Aconcagua stares straight out into the central Andes, a view you have to see for yourself to truly appreciate and it’s right off our front porch for the next few days.
On The Map
Posted by: Nick Scott, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
After a hard carry to Camp 2 yesterday, everyone enjoyed the late start to the morning today. It’s not often you get to sleep in on a mountaineering expedition so no one takes these rest days for granted. But besides the extra sleep, the other reason to get excited during a rest day is the breakfast. The guides whipped up a calorie replenishing feast consisting of eggs, bacon, hash browns, fresh veggies and cheese all wrapped up burrito style. With bellies full of warm food and coffee we all retired to a sunny corner of camp to digest our meal. The skies are clear and sunny today. The perfect weather to rest and acclimatize and regain our strength for our move up to Camp 2 tomorrow.
On The Map
We are soo proud of you
Posted by: Katie and Jeannette on 1/31/2020 at 12:38 pm
Posted by: Nick Scott, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
When we woke up this morning the snow had melted, but the chill it left in the air remained. It was by far the coldest morning of the trip so far, but nothing a hot cup of coffee and a warm breakfast couldn’t fix. With our bellies full and our cores warmed we turned our attention uphill to Camp 2. While the route to Camp at 18,000 feet is easier walking than the route to Camp 1, the gain in elevation was definitely noticed by everyone. No matter how fit you are, carrying weight uphill at 18,000 feet above sea level makes you feel like you are breathing through a straw during a workout. Despite the difficulties presented by the mountain today, the team performed well and we were all back in our tents at Camp 1 enjoying some lunch before we were halfway through the day. Tomorrow is another rest day and another opportunity to acclimatize, so the next time we walk into Camp 2 it doesn’t feel quite so difficult.
Great job all! Onward and upward! :))
Posted by: Coeli Scott on 1/30/2020 at 8:11 am
Posted by: Nick Scott, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,400'
After four days of living it up at basecamp, we packed up our gear and moved up hill to Camp 1 at 16,400 feet. We were lucky enough to have clear skies and calm winds the whole way to camp as we meandered through the glacial moraine above basecamp. Shortly after arriving at Camp 1, the weather turned, the temperature dropped, and snow began to fall. After a very dry winter in the Andes, Aconcagua is in desperate need of snowfall and we welcome the fluffy white precipitation as we hunker down in our tents for some rest before dinner. Tomorrow, we load up again and carry half of our food and gear to Camp 2 at 18,000 feet. The trail to higher camps gets easier from here, but the air gets thinner with every step we take uphill. Everyone is still doing well and we can’t wait to see what the upper mountain has in store.
On The Map
Wow so high!! Wonderful job and Daryl all your girls in California keep asking about you. They miss you and are proud of you. Crazy how fast the weather changed.
Posted by: Katie on 1/28/2020 at 2:13 pm
Posted by: Nick Scott, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
We came, we carried, and we crushed it! Today the entire team performed the incredible task of carrying half of our food and gear to Camp 1 at 16,400 feet. Every climber carried the weight up steep and loose terrain without faltering and made it safely back to Basecamp with plenty of energy leftover. We have one more rest day at Plaza Argentina Basecamp before we leave all the comforts behind and begin our slow ascent from camp to camp over the next week in an effort to make the summit.
On The Map
Great job to all of you brave souls on your journey! My prayers are with you all! Way to go Gramps! We are celebrating you from here in Texas!
Love,
Chelsea, Patrick, Henry, and Callie
Posted by: Chelsea Miller on 1/28/2020 at 6:00 am
Plaza Argentina looks wonderful! Good job team
Posted by: Katie on 1/27/2020 at 2:38 pm
Posted by: Nick Scott, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
It’s day four of our Aconcagua expedition. Our first rest day for those at home following along. We all got a good sleep in and enjoyed an extended breakfast of eggs, pancakes, and lots of coffee this morning while discussing the itinerary of the next few days. Even though we call it a rest day, there is never a day on a mountaineering expedition when we are doing nothing. While the group enjoyed plenty of down time a good portion of the day was spent packing for our carry tomorrow, sorting group food, going on a short hike to stretch the legs and the lungs, and getting in our park-mandated doctor visit to make sure all climbers are adjusting to the new altitude appropriately. Spoiler alert! Everyone in the group passed their physical and the doctor gave us all the thumbs up to keep cruising up hill. Tomorrow will be the toughest day for the group so far as we shoulder packs and climb to Camp 1 at 16,400ft to cache some of our gear before descending back to basecamp to continue the acclimatization process. I have no doubt this determined group of climbers will perform their task without trouble. Everyone is feeling great and ready for more!
Best to you Mark. Reading what you all are doing. Praying that you all enjoy the trip. Love Mom
Posted by: Cornelia Miller on 1/28/2020 at 9:24 am
Mmm pancakes! Go Daryly Dooo, eat them up! We are all cheering for you in Coronado! Good job team! Hoping for good weather tmw!
Posted by: Katie on 1/25/2020 at 5:10 pm
Posted by: Nick Scott, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
On the third day of our expedition we woke early and climbed reluctantly from the warmth of our sleeping bags. Today, we would leave the Vacas valley and climb steadily over 3000 feet through the Relinchos valley to Plaza Argentina, and home for the next three days. The increase in elevation brought some much needed relief from the heat as the temperature dropped with every foot gained. The team traveled together in good spirits under blue skies and marveled at the scale of their surroundings. Early in the afternoon, tired and dust covered, we found ourselves in the small city that is Aconcagua Basecamp. After three days of wandering through the high desert of the Andes, the team welcomed the comforts of the camp with open arms. Tomorrow we have a well earned rest day to lounge and do a bit of packing to prepare for the upper mountain. The team is in good spirits, and despite being tired from the three day trek, are eager to move higher up the mountain. We can only hope the good weather continues and that the mountain allows us the opportunity to climb.
RMI Guide Nick Scott
So beautiful! Praying the weather continues to cooperate! Climb on! :)
XO Guide Mom - Coeli Scott
Posted by: Coeli Scott on 1/25/2020 at 2:13 pm
WALKING WITH YOU MARK. LOOKS GOOD SO FAR. BET THAT JUICE FELT GOOD AFTER A LONG WALK. WILL TAKE A DAY OFF LIKE YOU LOVE MOM
Posted by: MOM on 1/25/2020 at 11:19 am
Posted by: Nick Scott, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 10,550'
The second day of the trek took us ever higher into the desert valley on our way to Aconcagua Basecamp. The trail wound it’s way through the high desert of the Andes, past scrub brush, and the occasional Guanaco. Today also provided us with the first views of the mountain. It was a beautiful bluebird day and the upper reaches of Aconcagua were in full view as they towered over the surrounding peaks, including Amighino, a mountain that tops out at the same elevation as Kilimanjaro. Tomorrow we make the final push to basecamp at 13,800 feet and start acclimatizing for the upper mountain.
On The Map
Posted by: Nick Scott, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,000'
Today we left behind the comforts of civilization and began our trek to Aconcagua Basecamp. The first day turned out to be a hot and dusty one, with only the occasional breeze to cool us down. After several hours of walking through the desert we reached Pampa de Lenas, our camp for the night. Our outfitter Grajales was waiting for us with pitchers of lemonade to relieve our parched mouths and a spread of orange slices and snacks to replenish our energy. While our accommodation for the night may be modest, our dinner certainly won’t be. Tonight is the night of the famous Lenas Asado! A traditional Argentine BBQ cooked over an open fire under the stars. After such a long walk today, you can be sure our appetites are primed and ready for the meal to come.
All the climbers did well today, but another long day is in store for us tomorrow as we make our way closer to basecamp and deeper into the mountains.
On The Map
We love you Dad/Gramps/Mark!
Posted by: Chelsea Miller on 1/23/2020 at 4:27 pm
Good luck dad! (Joe D.) Reading the blogs all the way from Pa. Keep up the good work, everyone! ❤️
Posted by: Nicole on 1/22/2020 at 4:56 pm
Posted by: Nick Scott, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Today we left the low elevation sanctuary of Mendoza and began our trip into the mountains. Our first stop? The town of Penitentes where we began the process of packing all of our gear and food for the length of our expedition. Not a small feat by any means. After the bags were packed and weighed for the mules, we enjoyed our last group dinner inside a permanent structure for the next two weeks. Tomorrow our trek to basecamp begins and along with it, our adventure.
Very PROUD of all you men and miss you. How do you eat a elephant ? One bite at a time! Lol
Miss you Daryl
Posted by: Katie on 1/22/2020 at 4:05 pm
Hey Daryl and team, pictures look amazing. Keep up the good work we are praying for strength, endurance and good health for you all.
Posted by: Ken Cwikula on 2/2/2020 at 12:20 am
Super Bowl Argentina!! Got my popcorn popping and cheering all of you on ! Yay team
Posted by: Katie and Jeannette on 2/1/2020 at 10:20 am
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