Entries from Aconcagua
January 18, 2023
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Ben Luedtke, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
Good evening loyal readers,
Today was our rest day. These days can be tough mentally as the day creeps by slowly. A lot of reading, listening to podcasts, and music, watching TV shows, and simply looking at our surroundings to pass the time. The winds stayed calm for most of the day making for a toasty sit in the tents. Tomorrow the winds are supposed to ramp up which could make our move to Camp 2 a little sporty. Everyone is excited for the move because it gets us 1600' closer to the top. We are all tucked into our sleeping Bags ready for some sleep so we can walk uphill.
Buenos noches,
RMI Guides Hannah, Ben, Dan, and Team
January 17, 2023
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Ben Luedtke, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
Hola Family and Friends!
What a day it was. After waking up from a night of heavy wind gusts and having breakfast, we took a few extra minutes sipping our (dulce de leche) coffee to allow the winds to calm down and the sun to get higher in the sky. Feeling warmed up, we did some last-minute packing, doublechecked the tie downs on our tents and headed up to Camp 2, AKA Guanacos 3, for our carry day. As we crisscrossed on rocky and snowy terrain, we took in our first amazing views of Cerro Ameghino. Once we passed through the saddle, we began the long traverse below the Polish glacier, and enjoyed more amazing views of the Andes Mountain range to the north.
Arriving at camp, we took the time to take pictures, unload our packs, and headed downhill back to Camp One. With our bellies full of quesadillas, we are currently weathering more winds and looking forward to a well-earned rest day tomorrow.
RMI Guides Hannah, Ben, Dan, and Team
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poO2BsVGdIU
Posted by: Terry Reilly on 1/18/2023 at 9:11 am
January 16, 2023
Posted by: Ben Luedtke, Hannah Smith, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
Hola amigos!
This morning we bid farewell to our fellow RMI team as they headed back down the Relinchos Valley, one day closer to civilization. We on the other hand shouldered our heavy packs and began our move to Camp 1 at 16,000ft. Blue skies and a light breeze accompanied the team up toward camp. We arrived in good style, feeling and looking good, happy to be making our way to the upper mountain. The night ended with our very own high altitude rendition of Pad Thai. The sun dipped below the ridgeline, the wind picked up, and we all took the cue and retreated to our warm sleeping bags. An early night's rest will do wonders for our carry to camp 2 (Guanacos 3) tomorrow!
Cheers!
RMI Guides Hannah, Ben, Dan and the team
Hey Hannah! Best wishes for Strength and perfect weather for your climb!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/17/2023 at 8:15 am
How excited you must all be!
Posted by: Peter Darasz on 1/17/2023 at 5:25 am
January 15, 2023
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Ben Luedtke, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Good evening readers,
After a high effort day of carrying to Camp One, the team enjoyed our last rest day at Basecamp. cups of coffee were enjoyed as the sun warmed up camp. Today was a leisure day. Time was spent watching TV shows, reading books, chatting with teammates, and showers. We also sorted gear for the move to Camp One. We don't want to be too heavy when we head back downhill, so luxury items like sweatpants, jeans, sweatshirts, need to stay behind.
A highlight of the day was welcoming the other RMI team back to Basecamp. We got useful information about the route and conditions and now feel ready to have our go at the upper mountain. Tomorrow, we say bye to the wonderful basecamp staff that have been taking good care of us and move to Camp One.
We are ready and excited to progress up this mountain.
Adios,
RMI Guides Hannah, Ben, Dan, and Team
We love seeing your photos and updates. As you approach 22,000+ ft, all of us in Ann Arbor (861 ft at our house) are cheering for you and wishing the team our best. Have fun!
Posted by: Janice Lieberman on 1/16/2023 at 11:26 am
January 15, 2023
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
We had a windy and cold morning to break camp down and descend to Basecamp. The team rallied and now we are enjoying some snacks, drinks and packing for mules. Tomorrow we’ll walk to Pampa las Lenas for an asado and night under the stars if the weather cooperates. The end of a great expedition to Aconcagua.
This is our last dispatch, thanks for following along.
RMI Guides Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney & Team
January 15, 2023
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Ben Luedtke, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,400'
We woke to another brisk morning. The sun slowly creeps down the mountain. Once it hits the dome tent, everything/everyone warms up.
Today we made progress up the mountain. We sorted our gear to carry all the group food, fuel, kitchen items, our mountain snacks, and upper mountain equipment. Without doing carries, our packs would be far too heavy. Carries also help with acclimatization. With our heavy packs ready and the sun shining, we made our way to 16,400'. The team did great maneuvering through the moon scape like terrain. A final steep hill brought us into Camp One. We unloaded our packs and pile everything against a rock. We will be reunited with this gear on Monday when we leave the comforts of basecamp. After hanging at Camp One for 30 minutes letting our bodies exist at this altitude, we made quick work getting back to Basecamp where we were greeted with pizza and treats.
One final day resting at basecamp tomorrow and getting ready for our move up to Camp One tomorrow. RMI's First Aconcagua team comes down from 19k camp after a successful summit yesterday. It will be nice to see familiar faces and hear about their trip. The sun has disappeared so it’s time for the sleeping bag and tent.
Goodnight all,
RMI Guides Hannah, Ben, Dan, and team
Say hello to Rob French and his brother as well. Cheers. I really enjoy the updates.
Posted by: Terry Reilly on 1/17/2023 at 10:16 am
Sounds incredible - cheering you all on from London!❤️
Posted by: Kiki French on 1/15/2023 at 10:21 am
January 14, 2023
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 22,841'
Saturday, January 14, 2023 1:07 PM PT
We awoke early in the morning to chilly temps and moderate winds. Our summit bid had begun! It took several hours of slogging uphill before the sun finally blessed us with its presence. The rest of the climb was warm and the summit itself was windless!
The descent was smooth and exhausting. Everyone is back in camp safe and sound. Tomorrow we begin to descend into thicker air.
RMI Guides Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney and Team
Saturday, January 14, 2023 9:30 AM PT
The Team stood on the summit of Aconcagua at 22,841' today! All is well, and we will share more details of our climb when we get back to camp!
RMI Guide Mike King
Good Job A! We’re so happy for you and Mike and the whole crew! I new you could do it! Love You! Uncle.
Posted by: Kim Peltier on 1/15/2023 at 9:11 am
Way to go team! Feeling proud and nostalgic as we watch this blog from Vermont. #LLLL. Hope you felt those vibes all the way to the top.
With love and admiration - the Wilhelms
Posted by: T and B from Vermont on 1/15/2023 at 6:40 am
January 13, 2023
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
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Our Aconcagua team moved to High Camp. The winds stopped as if a switch had been flipped around 9:30 last night. The eerily calm night led to another calm and hot day. The summit winds were still high with snow blowing 1,000 feet into the sky but have begun to calm down, or all the snow has vacated the summit. We will get some rest, eat and hydrate before turning in for the evening. Sleep is hard to come by at 19,600'. Hoping for a successful summit day tomorrow. We'll keep you posted!
--RMI Guide Mike King and team
Love reading the updates. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers for a safe and successful summit. Brother Mitch, we love and can’t wait to hear all about your adventures.
Posted by: Marianne Harvey on 1/14/2023 at 10:05 am
Good luck team - Pez and Mike make it happen!
Posted by: Scott on 1/14/2023 at 6:17 am
January 12, 2023
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Ben Luedtke, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Howdy all,
After a somewhat fitful nights sleep accompanied by the barking of our new dog friend and the whineying of mules, the team awoke to some slightly threatening skies. Luckily we had the reprieve of our dome tent to allow for an easy morning breakfast and coffee. As if the coffee wasn't enough to wake us up we began the morning crossing the Vacas River to enter into the Relinchos Valley. The mules were hot on our tail as we began our gradual ascent to Plaza de Argentina Basecamp. Once gaining a high platuea we received our second view of Ameghino and Aconcagua. The stoke rose with the elevation. We were greeted warmly to Plaza de Argentina with some tasty and warm lentil soup, juice, dulce de leche and fresh fruit. The afternoon was spent taking in the panoramic views and lots of relaxing. After another delicious meal and some fine Mendoza malbec, the team, full, happy and tired, retreated to their tents. That's it for now, tune in next time!
RMI Guides Hannah, Ben, Dan and the team
Hey Hannah! Wishing you and your team great rest at basecamp and all the best ahead and above!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/14/2023 at 3:28 am
January 12, 2023
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
Our team will take another weather day at Camp 2. Strong winds and lots of snow will keep us from moving up hill today. Tomorrow is our last chance to move to High Camp. We will hope to have a summit bid on the 14th. The team is hunkered down in their tents as 40 mph wind gusts roar through camp.
RMI Guide Mike King
Thinking of you and wishing for good weather for you all. Love Vonne.
Posted by: Vonne on 1/14/2023 at 7:08 pm
Thinking of the group and wishing you luck! 40mph winds, yikes! We got about 14in of snow yesterday, then some rain. Hopefully it keeps coming so we can start snowmobiling!
Missing you - Lydia, Matt & Wilhelmina
Posted by: Lydia on 1/14/2023 at 5:53 am
Hey Hannah! Strength & Stamina & Great weather wishes to you and your team!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/19/2023 at 3:40 am
Buenas Suerte! Keep the news coming! Everyone acclimating well? Sounds like it. I recently (September ‘22) visited a brother in Taos, NM and did a trail half marathon starting and ending at the Ski Valley(9300 feet -11,400) . I sure would love the opportunity to try an adventure like Aconcagua! Cheers.
Posted by: Terry Reilly on 1/18/2023 at 4:54 pm
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