Entries from Aconcagua
Today the team said goodbye to Mendoza for a while. After a leisurely breakfast of pastries, and more pastries, we finished off the process of obtaining our
Aconcagua climbing permits. We only experienced a few hang ups in the permit office, which is about par for the course.
We amassed our gear into one big pile in the hotel lobby, partly to prepare to load it into our trailer, and partly just to see how much stuff we have. In my professional opinion we brought enough stuff, judging by volume alone. After transferring our pile into a vehicle, we hit the road to Penitentes. A few naps, and more than a few empanadas later, we arrived in Penitentes.
This afternoon, we packed everything for our travel to Aconcagua Base Camp. Everything has to be packed such that it doesn't get destroyed on the mules. The team made quick work of that task, leaving us plenty of down time before dinner. I'm pretty sure most people took another nap. Tomorrow morning we will hit the dusty trail, and things for us will get much simpler. For a few days we will just walk, eat, and sleep. Everyone is looking forward to it. We'll let you know how it goes.
RMI Guides JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, and Avery Parrinello
The team has arrived in Mendoza. All baggage is accounted for, gear is checked, and dinner has been eaten. After a long day of travel we are hitting the hay relatively early. Tomorrow we will drive to
Penitentes and get everything organized and packed for the walk in to base camp. The team is excited to get out of town and into the mountains. Stay tuned, and find out what happens next.
RMI Guides JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, and Avery Parrinello
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
Have a great time! Enjoy yourself. Be safe.
Posted by: Dean & Dodie Radloff on 12/17/2017 at 8:19 pm
” It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves. Sir Edmund Hillary
Have fun be safe…enjoy the day!
Mike & Debbie Mitan
Posted by: M Mitan on 12/17/2017 at 10:23 am
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