Entries By pepper dee
All good things must end and this
Aconcagua Expedition is no different. The team went on our final walk out of the Vacas Valley together yesterday, and within five hours we were back in civilization. After watching the dirt and trip dust wash off us in the shower, we all went to a fancy celebration dinner. Even though the team enjoyed peppers cooking, it was agreed the restaurant was a bit better. Everyone is now excited to head home and reflect on an excellent adventure.
RMI Guide Ben Liken
Hi all! Due to technical difficulties we were unable to get a blog off last night, but suffice it to say that everyone made it back to
Base Camp yesterday in fine form. We supped on champagne and lasagna to celebrate a safe descent from the upper mountain, and awoke this morning to a last minute gear shuffle before the long walk downhill. Our plan is to hike down the Relinchos Valley, and take a right when we hit the Vacas River. Camp tonight will be at Las Lenas, which was our very first stop on this long and eventful journey.
"Today was a good day!"
RMI Guides Ben Liken & Pepper Dee
On The Map
February 13, 2017
Posted by: Ben Liken, Pepper Dee
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 22,841'
Update 3:44 pm ART time, 10:44 am Pacific time
The team woke up this morning at 4:30 am to clear skies and no wind, so it was time to head to the upper mountain. The weather remained on our side all the way up and down, giving us excellent views from the top. Also fresh snow from the night before meant we were breaking trail through shin-deep powder up high. As soon as we got back to camp, a thunder storm had us hiding in the tent. We will stay here at high camp one more night before we descend back to Base Camp.
RMI Guide Ben Liken
RMI Guide Ben Liken called with great news this morning. His team reached the
Aconcagua summit this morning at 11:45 a.m. local time! They climbed strong and were one of the first teams on top. They really lucked out as the winds were starting to increase. The plan is to head down to Base Camp shortly.
Congratulations!
On The Map
February 12, 2017
Posted by: Ben Liken, Pepper Dee
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
Hola Blogerinos!
Here we are at long last, poised to make our summit bid from Camp Cholera at 19,600 feet on
Aconcagua. The team moved up here today in good style, whipped together a camp, and spent the afternoon recharging in anticipation of a big day tomorrow. It's snowing lightly outside right now, but all team members are tucked away trying their best to get a little rest. Keep us in your thoughts tomorrow as we try for the top!
RMI Guide Ben Liken
On The Map
February 11, 2017
Posted by: Ben Liken, Pepper Dee
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
What a great day here on
Aconcagua, sunshine and no winds had our rest day in perfect condition. We woke up as the sun hit our tent and sipped hot drinks until nearly 11 am. Then the team went on a short hike up hill to acclimatize and look at tomorrow's route. Everyone is ready for the move to our final camp at 19,600' tomorrow, and excited to look up at our final move, the summit. Let's hope for clear calm conditions in the coming days.
RMI Guides Ben Liken & Pepper Dee
On The Map
February 10, 2017
Posted by: Ben Liken, Pepper Dee
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
Well, we barely snuck in a move today from
Aconcagua Camp 1 to Camp 2 before the wind started a blowin' and the snow started a snowin'. Fortunately, everyone is tucked away in their tents hydrating, breathing, and getting used to life at 18,000 feet. We are all glad to be here; it feels like the upper mountain is finally within reach. More tomorrow!
RMI Guide Ben Liken
On The Map
February 9, 2017
Posted by: Ben Liken, Pepper Dee
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
Today, after two days of hard work and accomplishment, the team rested at Camp 1 on
Aconcagua. All that was on our minds was quesadillas, hot drinks, and naps. Our bodies need to recover and make a few more red blood cells before we can be strong higher. Tomorrow we will try and move camp to 18000 feet, but with a little snow in the forecast we will just have to wait and see.
RMI Guide Ben Liken
On The Map
February 8, 2017
Posted by: Ben Liken, Pepper Dee
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,400'
It was cold and windy today on our gear bump to 18,000' with most of the team climbing in all our insulating layers. The sunny skies kept us moving and everyone did great! The views from
Camp 2 inspired the team as we breathed the thin air. We are back at Camp 1 now ready to devour some Mac and cheese.
RMI Guide Ben Liken
On The Map
February 7, 2017
Posted by: Ben Liken, Pepper Dee
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,400'
Today we finally left the comforts of
Aconcagua Base Camp for good, well at least for a little over a week. We moved to Camp 1 at 16,400' which is the first of three stops on our way to the summit. The team moved more fluidly today because they have had some time to acclimatize since our carry to the same elevation. We are all moved in now and awaiting
RMI Guide Pepper Dee's world famous top ramen dinner!
Our plan is to carry supplies to 18,000' tomorrow, we hope the weather holds!
RMI Guide Ben Liken
On The Map
February 6, 2017
Posted by: Ben Liken, Pepper Dee
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
This morning on
Aconcagua we woke up slow as the sun hit our tents. As the team rolled into breakfast the eggs, onions, and peppers were sizzling on the grill. We casually sat around and chatted and laughed about the trials and tribulations of the day before. As the afternoon came, it was siestas all around before our steak dinner. Now with a lot of rest on board, the team is ready to move higher on the mountain.
RMI Guide Ben Liken
checks are in the mail to Ben and Pepper, they are sent to RMI c/o Ben and Pepper at the Ashland washinton address.
hope this note finds you well, it was a great experience!! My urine has gone back to its normal yellow as opposed to the dark rusty red color it was at high camp. Nothing but cheery memories from here on out!!
dave folsom
Posted by: dave folsom on 2/25/2017 at 2:41 pm
Pepper,
I need an address so I can send your tip. This was an amazing adventure for me, and you and Ben were great guides. I will be reliving the adventure again and again, probably getting a little closer to the top each time. After a year or two who knows I may have summited. Get me your address so I can send some $$, you guys deserve it.
P.S. you will always have a warm bed and good food if passing through Medford.
dave folsom
Posted by: dave folsom on 2/21/2017 at 9:40 am
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