Entries from Aconcagua
December 26, 2017
Posted by: JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
The team is settling in after a lovely dinner here at 18,000 ft. Everyone did an excellent job getting out of camp this morning, and we were the first ones to hit the trail. It turned out to be a good thing, because the circus was hot on our heals. We were the first team to arrive at Camp Two, which guaranteed us some choice tent spots at this often crowded locale.
We arrived a little before 1 pm, and have just been relaxing, eating, and drinking since we got here. It's a pretty simple life. This camp stays in the sun for a few hours longer than Camp One, so we're all doing our best to photosynthesize before summit day. We will rest tomorrow, and finalize our summit plans based on what the weather gives us. We are within striking distance now, and everyone is excited. Bye for now.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
On The Map
December 25, 2017
Posted by: JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
Merry Christmas from all of the team members here at Aconcagua Camp 1! There's not too much to report today. The team did an excellent job resting (they're pros), and everyone is more than ready to move uphill tomorrow. It was a beautiful day in camp, with a deep, dark blue sky that some attributed to our altitude, and therefore our proximity to outer space. I don't buy it, but we'll do our best to test that hypothesis tomorrow, as we move even higher. To Camp Two we go.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
December 24, 2017
Posted by: JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
It was the night before Christmas, and all through the tent not a creature was stirring...except for RMI's first Aconcagua ascent. Our cache was placed at Camp Two with care, in hopes we will soon be moving there. 18,000 feet is so high, we may have seen reindeer fly by. We boot skied down to camp with glee, making the best of Aconcagua's scree. We filled our bellies with tasty bites, before we lost the warm sunlight. We crawled into our tents snacking on treats, before dreaming of tomorrow's Christmas Day eats. Oatmeal and quesadillas they are the best, we can't wait to have a Christmas Day rest.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight.
RMI Guides JM Gorum, Avery Parrinello, and Hannah Smith
Stay strong Bill Idzorek. Keep climbing and stay safe!
Posted by: Dan Young on 12/25/2017 at 6:26 pm
Merry Christmas Kevin and friends! I wish you all the best as you continue your ascent.
We miss you at LTF!
Posted by: Marcia on 12/25/2017 at 1:15 pm
December 23, 2017
Posted by: JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
The team has left Basecamp! We are officially on the mountain now, and our timing could not have been better. When we arrived in Basecamp we were the only ones there, and as of yesterday evening there were 64 people. We have all of Camp One to ourselves, however, and we should stay about a step ahead of the masses.
The group broke down camp quickly this morning, we ate a nice breakfast, finalized our plans with the Basecamp staff, and hit the trail by 8:45. A nice breeze kept things cool for us today. We got to camp around 1:15 this afternoon, and set up camp efficiently. This group doesn't mess around with tents. A couple hours of hardcore, downright chillin' brought us to an early dinner of ravioli, and lentils and rice for our more gluten-challenged climbers. A surly snow squall sent everyone to their tents after dinner, and that's where we are now. Everyone is feeling great, and our plan is to carry to Camp 2 tomorrow. The team sends their best to everyone back at home.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
On The Map
Merry Christmas to all.
Posted by: M Mitan on 12/24/2017 at 10:10 am
Congratulations. Merry Christmas Kevin and all your adventurous friends.
Posted by: Tammy Gjerde on 12/24/2017 at 7:08 am
December 22, 2017
Posted by: JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 12,800'
Basecamp was a happening place last night. And while there were a few events that disturbed our sleep, it was a great night overall. The Stars were clear, and a distant thunderstorm provided visual entertainment late into the evening. We skipped breakfast this morning in favor of a leisurely brunch prepared by our resident burrito experts, Hannah and Avery. Brunch was really the primary item on our agenda for today, followed by relaxing to the best of our abilities. After checking in with everyone, I can say that we are ready to move out of Basecamp and into higher places.
We'll check in from Camp One tomorrow.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
December 21, 2017
Posted by: JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Excited to get moving to the upper mountain, our group headed to Camp 1. Soon after leaving we could see our future route up the mountain. With full packs we battled through scree fields crumbling beneath our feet and through penitentes chest high. At last we reached Camp 1 at 16200 feet where we stashed gear and got a glimpse of our future home. Soon we were were boot skiing down the scree fields getting back to camp in no time. We get into our tents tonight satisfied with the day's work and looking forward to a rest day tomorrow.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
December 20, 2017
Posted by: JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Not much to report today. The team did an excellent job resting, with only minor restlessness. We ate a delicious burrito breakfast at a leisurely hour, and went for a short walk outside of Base Camp to get the blood flowing a little bit.
After our walk we prepared our gear for the carry tomorrow, and checked in with the Base Camp doctors. Everyone got the stamp of approval to head higher. No surprises there. We're all rested up and ready for a big day tomorrow. We'll let you know how it goes.
RMI Guide JM Gorum
On The Map
December 19, 2017
Posted by: JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
We made it to Plaza Argentina today! The first RMI team of the year is blazing a path uphill. We left our camp at Casa de Piedra early this morning to beat the heat, and to cross the Vacas and Relinchos Rivers before they swelled with snowmelt. A few brave souls crossed the Vacas on foot, surprised at how cold the pre-sunrise water felt on their unsuspecting toes. The rest of the team, less brave maybe, though certainly smarter, decided to take a free ride across the river courtesy of our mule drivers. Some were more comfortable astride our equine friends than others, but nobody fell in.
Once across the river, we started up the Relinchos Valley. Unlike the Vacas, which is wide and expansive, the Relinchos Valley is narrow and has steep walls. The relief is more dramatic here, and the elevation gain becomes less subtle. The team made quick work of it though, and after a few guanaco sightings we were lounging in the sun less than an hour from basecamp. We lounged as long as we could bear it, and then finished off the last stretch into camp. Since arriving, we've set up our tents, organized some gear, and done a lot of eating and drinking. We ate as much dinner as we could, and even enjoyed a welcome cake courtesy of the basecamp staff. It's good living here at basecamp, and we plan to live in style for at least a few more days.
RMI Guides JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, and Avery Parrinello
Sounds great! Can you tell Bill that Maggie is home. Everyone is well.
Posted by: Kris (Bill’s wife) on 12/20/2017 at 3:13 am
December 18, 2017
Posted by: JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 10,550'
The team hit the dusty trail this morning in comfortable temps but soon we were feeling the heat. We wondered through the rocky terrain, at times feeling like we were walking on the moon. Guanacos and hares were an exciting sight to tick off our wildlife list, but an even more exciting sight was seeing a quick glimpse of Aconcagua. After setting our tents up at a breezy Casa de Piedra camp, we are enjoying a relaxing afternoon. Our bellies will be filled by another delicious dinner tonight before we call it a day and look forward to arriving at Aconcagua Base Camp tomorrow.
RMI Guides Hannah, Avery, and JM
On The Map
December 17, 2017
Posted by: JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,000'
Well, this morning went about as smoothly as it possibly could have thanks to the team's expert preparations yesterday. We had breakfast in the hotel, and then walked next door to make our final preparations for departure. After a short shuttle ride to the mouth of the Vacas River, we checked in with the park service and headed up the valley. We had cloudless skies and a consistent breeze all day, so it never got unbearably hot.
The team arrived in camp around 3:30 this afternoon, which left plenty of time for relaxing and exploring. Dinner consisted of more food than we could eat, prepared by the mule drivers on an open flame. Most folks are crawling into bed now, and since the weather is so nice we're going to forgo the tents and sleep under the stars. All the team says hello to everyone at home.
RMI Guides JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, and Avery Parrinello
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Merry Christmas to brother Bill - you were the talk of Christmas dinner - enjoy your adventure - we are all waiting to see pictures and hear stories when you get back home - you are missing some chilly weather, good time to be in the Southern Hemisphere
Posted by: Jim on 12/25/2017 at 6:02 pm
Merry Christmas to all, especially Kevin. Have a great time!
Posted by: Dean & Dodie on 12/25/2017 at 4:00 pm
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