Pampa de Lenas is at an altitude of 2,800 meters. And that is where we are sitting right now. It's our first day trekking and we had a beautiful day walking into camp.
The scenery towers above you as the condors soar high above. Pretty poetic huh? Okay, I'll stop. The team had a fun day stretching our legs. We'd like to lie and tell you it was arduous but after a picnic lunch of sandwiches, chips, fresh fruit, cheese, olives and cookies we all wobbled into camp.
There is no setting up tents here! Are you kidding! You will never see stars like these in your life. So we are all sleeping under the stars tonight. I'm just trying to remember who sang the song, "Southern Cross?" So help me out RMI fans!!
We are relaxing in camp and excited for dinner, which is being cooked over an open fire. Living don't get no better than this!!
RMI Guides JJ Justman and Leah Fisher
Crosby, Stills and Nash wrote “Southern Cross”....great tune!
Posted by: Randy Christofferson on 12/18/2013 at 11:10 am
Wow!!! What an awesome experience sleeping! Sounds like you’ve had a great day of trekking. Love reading the updates. Can’t wait to hear what tomorrow brings. Love ya Josh
Hello RMI fans! It's JJ and Leah reporting in from Los Penitentes in Argentina! Team 2 is in full effect and we are ready to go.
With all the storms in the U.S. it has been an adventure just to get here. However, we are all excited and raring to go.
We spent the day traveling to the trailhead and organizing and packing gear. The first part of this trip has the support of mules so we packed barrels and duffels full of food, gear. And personal equipment.
Follow along as we hit the dusty trail...Argentina Cowboy style!
RMI Guides JJ Justman & Leah Fisher
Brother-had a glass of Malbec tonight and thought of you! Actually, we are thinking of you everyday and sending good thoughts your way during this epic adventure! Excited and proud of you!! Love you Dave!
Beth, Peter and Foster.
Posted by: Beth Glein on 12/19/2013 at 9:51 pm
Hi Kim!! Would you mind terribly flying back to ATL before you start the major climbing?? Your darling niece Sophia forgot to give you her lucky hermit crab! You better plan on receiving at least 300 comments from us during the next 24 days. Hugs & Kisses from your favorite sister.
Posted by: Lora Sue Fluffysparklepuff on 12/17/2013 at 5:36 pm
We are back from the mountain safe and sound. It was a wild morning and it kept rolling throughout the early morning. First, we woke up to a constant rain at the hut. Solveig and I stayed up and kept checking the weather for improvements. And alas at 2 am the weather cleared. The team was so excited to climb.
We donned our packs and began our ascent. It was a beautiful early morning on Orizaba. As we inched our way up to the lower glacier I began to notice the snow underneath me doing something unusual. It was settling with a giant whoomph. A clear indication of snow instability. Solveig and I conducted a few snow stability tests and it wasn't looking good. As a matter of fact the snow settling under my feet was the worst I felt.
We contemplated a bit and it was an easy decision. Orizaba was not safe to climb. It can be disappointing not making the summit but with what the team experienced they all understood. Safety is number One. And as Sr. Reyes mentioned as he picked us up...Orizaba isn't going anywhere. We will climb it another day.
RMI Guide JJ Justman
Hi Everyone,
The team is at Sr. Reyes and we are all set to go. The sun is shining and we enjoyed great views of Orizaba on the drive in. We will now drive a 4x4 vehicle up to the hut, set up camp and prepare for our summit day tomorrow.
Wish us bueno suerte!
JJ, Solveig & Team
It is a day to explore the city of Puebla. The team is enjoying a day of rest and there's no better place to do that than in this colorful city. Some of the teammates are on the search for cowboy boots. Some of us are going to partake in a culinary class to learn how to make Puebla's signature dish...Mole Poblano! And of course, we will be sampling all the authentic cuisine we can.
The weather is improving so don't go too far. Tomorrow we begin our adventure on Orizaba!
RMI Guide JJ Justman
Good luck tomorrow team, may you have great weather!
-Brad and Lori
Posted by: Brad & Lori Briggs on 10/24/2013 at 7:13 pm
Greeting from Massachusetts.
Phil’s favorite sister here. My big task on Wednesday was payroll. I’m tires just reading about your day. Hahaha
Can’t wait to see the pictures.
XO Jackie
Hey everyone this is JJ and Solveig with the Mexico team here on Ixta. First we do want to let everyone know that everyone here on the team is safe and sound and second, we haven't heard any news but we hope that everyone in Acapulco and the coast land of Mexico is ok with that hurricane. Here on Ixta at High Camp at 14,700', we have received the inland storm, I believe the remnants of what happened with that hurricane. We received over a foot of snow last night, heavy winds and no visibility. The winds have died down, it is not snowing any more. We still don't have good visibility. But everyone is still in good spirits. Needless to say, the mountain certainly said no to us for going to the top today but this is a day that is pretty obvious that the mountains are to be enjoyed and not conquered. We are making the best of it, everyone is in great spirits, having fun and smiling. Now our focus is packing up and getting down off of Ixta and into Puebla. Everyone says hello on the team and thanks for following along. We will definitely show you some of the sites and sounds from Puebla, Mexico and maybe some of what it looked like yesterday getting up to high camp. Everyone is doing great and we will touch base soon. Our next objective is Orizaba and we are definitely keeping our fingers crossed for better weather. Take care everyone. Bye.
RMI Guide JJ Justman
RMI Guide JJ Justman checks in from high camp on Ixtaccihuatl.
We are camped in tents at 14,700' high camp on Ixta. We have had clear mornings, then some clouds, and light precipitation in the evenings. Our forecast remains fine- 70% chance of rain diminishing in a couple of days. The hurricane in the area is not affecting us. Tomorrow is our summit day. Wish us luck!
RMI Guide JJ Justman
RMI Guide JJ Justman checks in from Ixta High Camp.
John P., I hope you have fully recovered and are feeling good! Your classes are behaving fairly well for the substitute. Tell Dave his class enjoyed the exam.
Love,
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah Reznikoff on 10/23/2013 at 1:06 pm
Good luck today Peter - enjoy & be safe! Love & miss you. Xxx
It feels good to be in the mountains! Our team is nestled in the Altzomoni Hut near 12,000 feet! Of course we enjoyed a great breakfast fit for Kings and Queens before we arrived here. After a brief stop to do some last minute food shopping we arrived at camp early afternoon.
The rest of our day was filled with final packing preparations for our endeavor to make high camp on Ixta tomorrow. Everyone is doing fantastic. The weather is a little dreary but it's not stopping us from having fun! And just because we are in the mountains doesn't mean we have to act like it. Instead of freeze dried food, Solveig and I prepared a fresh Mexican carne asada dinner for the team. The fresh guacamole was a hit. It was devoured in seconds!
RMI Guides JJ Justman and Solveig Waterfall
Hi! This is Solveig Waterfall checking in from our Cabana at the La Malitzi Resort at the base of La Malinche. We had a great acclimatization hike this afternoon and made it all the way to 13,000ft! Everyone did great and the weather held off nearly long enough. At the first sounds of thunder we began a hasty descent back to relative safety below tree line and then motored all the way back down to our cabins under heavy rainfall. Everyone is in great spirits after a delicious dinner and we are all cozied up drying out clothing and boots next to the fireplace enjoying the sounds of the continued rain and thunder. Quite the first day here in the mountains of Mexico!
Tomorrow we will travel to the Altzomoni hut near the base of Ixta and begin preparations for our first big climb. Crossing our fingers for an improvement in the weather!!
RMI Guides JJ Justman and Solveig Waterfall
Here we are! Once again in Mexico City with another great climbing team. Yes, we are about to head into the mountains. However, one of the greatest parts about international travel is experiencing the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of the beautiful countries we visit.
I'd like to disclose the name of the restaurant we had our orientation dinner. However, I cannot give away our secrets. How was it you may ask?....Amazing!!! And guess what! It only gets better!
RMI Guide JJ Justman
Crosby, Stills and Nash wrote “Southern Cross”....great tune!
Posted by: Randy Christofferson on 12/18/2013 at 11:10 am
Wow!!! What an awesome experience sleeping! Sounds like you’ve had a great day of trekking. Love reading the updates. Can’t wait to hear what tomorrow brings. Love ya Josh
Posted by: Jessica on 12/17/2013 at 4:43 pm
View All Comments