Entries from Aconcagua

Aconcagua: King and Team Enjoy a Windy Rest Day

December 30, 2015

Posted by: Mike King, Caleb Ladue

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,400'

This is RMI Guide Mike King checking in checking in from 16,400 feet on Aconcagua. Today is our rest day and we are definitely resting in our tents. The winds picked up around dinner last night and have not stopped shaking our tents. The team reported good sleep/rest after our carry to Chopper Camp yesterday and everyone is acclimating well. We are hunkered down for the day; reading and napping. There is rumor of a snack food social in one of the tents around lunch time, I might have to crash that party. We will keep checking the weather today. Our goal is to move up to Chopper Camp tomorrow during lower winds and then play the waiting game for a summit bid. The RMI office sent the blog comments to us and everyone enjoyed hearing them read during breakfast yesterday. Thank you for following along and supporting us! Keep it up! RMI Guide Mike King and Team

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Hey Jeff and Meredith! Hope you are having a great climb and managing to stay warm. The views are amazing. Can’t wait to hear all about it…Ruby and Wayne :)

Posted by: ruby on 12/31/2015 at 10:29 am

Wishing John Hughes and the entire climbing team a very happy, healthy and high-altitude 2016!

Posted by: Barbara on 12/31/2015 at 10:20 am

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Aconcagua: Justman and Team Gather in Mendoza

December 30, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Pepper Dee

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

A new day has dawned! The December 28th Aconcagua team has come together in Mendoza! Yesterday evening the team enjoyed a great Argentine dinner...yum. This morning it's business, business, business as we secure our permits, pay our climbing fee, and do some last minute shopping. The team is ready and set to go. Next stop...Penitentes!! RMI Guides JJ Justman and Pepper Dee

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Hey Mountain Mike, we are watching you with interest. Be strong. Rest up for the next phase is the exciting one. Hope the increased snow makes your summit easier.

Posted by: Mark & Pat on 1/4/2016 at 7:42 am

Brian and Brad Beginning of a great adventure. Gather your stories, we want to hear them all. What a way to start the new year. Have fun, be safe and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Posted by: Mom and Dad, (Ben and Sharon) on 12/31/2015 at 1:03 pm

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Aconcagua: King and Team Carry to Chopper Camp

December 29, 2015

Posted by: Mike King, Caleb Ladue

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,400'

Call it Camp 2 while your on the mountain and you will get a curious look from the locals, but call it Chopper Camp or Guanaco 3 and they will smile. The team woke this morning and carried food and equipment to Guanaco 3 (our Camp 2). Some of our legs felt a bit heavy from the move yesterday but we made it. As we turned the corner at Ameghino Col the winds increased and we took in stellar views of La Mano, Mercedario and other 6000 m. peaks in the San Juan Province. We are back in Camp 1 looking forward to a rest day on Wednesday. Weather and high winds are rolling in, good night from our cozy tents at 16,400 ft. RMI Guide Mike King and team

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Dr. Ludwig and group, Have a wonderful time on your hike. Hope to see lots of pictures of the breath taking view you will have.

Posted by: Michelle on 12/31/2015 at 10:39 am

Thank you for the update. I believe our son, Luke is with this team.

Posted by: Catherine on 12/29/2015 at 6:16 pm

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Aconcagua: King & Team Reach Camp 1!

December 28, 2015

Posted by: Mike King, Caleb Ladue

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,400'

This is RMI Guide Mike King and the Team checking in from Camp 1, 16,400 ft! We had slightly lighter packs then our carry day but still hot temperatures radiating off the snow fields. After 4 nights at 14,000 the team cruised up to Camp in good form. The climbers are enjoying some rest time in the warm tents and organizing their gear for our carry to Chopper Camp tomorrow. These climbers bring a lot of different mountaineering and climbing experience to the team and watching them pitch camp today makes a guide team proud. Thanks for following along.

On The Map

Aconcagua: King and Team Enjoy Rest Day at Base Camp

December 27, 2015

Posted by: Caleb Ladue, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Not a whole lot to report during our rest day at Plaza Argentina, which is indicative of a successful and relaxing day after yesterday's carry to Camp 1. After a good breakfast the Team took advantage of washing clothes for the trek out and really enjoyable showers offered by one of the logistic companies here. We could continue to delay our ascent with all the amenities of base camp, but will pack up our gear and move up to Camp 1 at 16,400ft. That's all from Plaza Argentina RMI Guide Mike King

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With you every step of the way! Stay strong and happy thoughts!! You both are so strong and unstoppable!!

XOXO

Posted by: Chris & Andrew on 12/28/2015 at 8:15 pm

Way to go David! This team ROCKS! Worth all the pre-trip prepping. My thoughts and prayers go with you. Love, Mom.

Posted by: Pat Taylor on 12/28/2015 at 2:59 pm

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Aconcagua: King and Team Carry to Camp 1

December 26, 2015

Posted by: Caleb Ladue, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

This is Mike and Team checking in after our return from Camp 1 @ 16,400ft. The Mountain got a lot of snow this winter compared to the past 10 seasons. This made for difficult climbing through snow features called 'penitentes' that form from dust, wind and sunlight. Today they were six feet tall in some places. Combine the narrow snow features with heat and glare reflecting off the white snow and the Team had it's work cutout for them. We stocked our camp with food and supplies to both lighten our load on the 28th and to help acclimate. Tomorrow is a rest day and everyone is looking forward to sleeping in. Thanks for following the expedition. RMI Guide Mike King

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Rest and relax! We are thinking of you each day! Will and Syd think you two are pretty cool and amazing! Stay safe, breathe and know you are loved lots!

Posted by: Jo Kev Will and Syd on 12/28/2015 at 6:47 am

Hey Mer and Jeff! Glad to hear the climb is going well so far. Thinking about you guys this Christmas and we wish you all the best of luck with the rest of the hike! Remember: pole pole!!

-Doug, Pat, Russ, Elena, and Kaitie

Posted by: Russell Willmot on 12/27/2015 at 12:26 pm

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Aconcagua: King & Team Sending Christmas Wishes

December 25, 2015

Posted by: Mike King, Caleb Ladue

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

This is Mike and the team checking in from Aconcagua Base Camp on our first rest day. The team woke this morning with smiles on their faces and all reporting a good night's sleep despite the locals celebrating Christmas Eve until 4:30am. The Guide Elves had some stockings for the team to open and we are currently resting and preparing our gear for the carry to Camp 1 on Saturday. Nice calm, warm and relaxing day at Plaza Argentina. Merry Christmas! Messages from the team: Hey mom Katie and Kevin, and Marni! Merry Christmas. Miss and love you guys! Mike Staying positive, wish me luck. Carmen and Adnan, miss and love you! Hinan. Merry Christmas, Mom! Only 9,000' to the summit. Dave Merry Christmas Ben and Blake and all. All is well here. Love you and will see you soon. Merry Christmas Poppy, friends, SFFG & SH! We are in good shape at base camp and having a great Christmas Day. Love to all, Meredith Merry Christmas Ma, Pa, CM, Bro, Nolan, Sis, Alyssa, CB, Kyle, Stevo, Jester, and all of our friends back in Canada! A very fun white Christmas up here at 13,800. Love, Jeff John here hanging tough. 30 miles and 5800 feet of altitude gain over 3 days left me fighting some altitude effects. Decided to take some of my own advice- ride out the storm and eat the elephant one bite at a time. Feeling 100% better now on Christmas Day! Love to all!!

On The Map

Aconcagua: King & Team Finish Approach Into Base Camp

December 24, 2015

Posted by: Mike King, Caleb Ladue

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Hi everyone, We woke early to catch a mule ride across the Vacas River. A few chose to walk across the icy water, which felt good on sore feet from the two previous days of walking. We enjoyed spectacular views of Aconcagua with snow wisps off the top of the Polish Glacier near the summit. The team is resting after gaining 3,000+ feet and adjusting to the air at base camp. We will rest tomorrow and prepare for our first round of moving food and gear to Camp 1 on Saturday. Look for a message from the entire team tomorrow as it will be Christmas. RMI Guide Mike King

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Merry Christmas Bob! Everyone here at BNSF in Fort Worth is wishing you well. Hope you had a good trek into base camp. Say “Hi” to J.J. when you see him from the rest of our team in Texas. Good luck with your carries to the higher camps and hope you get good weather. God knows we’ve seen good and bad on the big mountains. We all can’t wait until you get back in January. Again, good luck and be safe.

Posted by: Rick & Mary Kay Knutson on 12/25/2015 at 10:05 am

Merry Christmas Michael! Headed to Bachelor for X-country with Abby. Wish you were here at the lower altitude! XXOO Wendy & Larry

Posted by: Wendy on 12/25/2015 at 8:34 am

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Aconcagua: King and Team Reach Casa de Piedra

December 23, 2015

Posted by: Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 10,600'

RMI Guide Mike King here along with the Team at 10,600 ft. We had a very windy day getting into our camp at Casa de Piedra. The group is resting and practicing a crucial expedition skill; the tent chill session. After 2 long days in the sun and wind we our looking forward to base camp tomorrow. We got our first view of the mountain today, so far no "buyer's remorse". Christmas Eve tomorrow and a rest day on the 25th, many in the group are already speculating what Base Camp will serve for dinner. The good times and good eating continue but one of these days we will have to shoulder the heavy packs and head up, where the real trip begins. Thanks for following along!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Bob W
Thought you were going to swim the English Channel next…

Enjoy doing something others can only marvel at!

Have a Merry Chistmas!

Bill F

Posted by: Bill F on 12/24/2015 at 7:31 am

Meredith,
We are missing you and Jessie at our annual visit to the office this Christmas Eve. The popcorn doesn’t taste as good without you! We are looking forward to following you on your climb. Be safe and have fun!
RLEEC

Posted by: The Falconers on 12/24/2015 at 6:28 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Return to Mendoza

December 22, 2015

Posted by: Christina Dale, JJ Justman

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Hello everyone! We are in Mendoza safe and sound and enjoying a few of the finer things in life. The team is sitting down to a dinner that would make Anthony Bourdain insanely jealous. We had a rough go on Aconcagua. High winds and freezing temperatures prevented us from topping out. However, it was Lou Whittaker, one of my mentors and a man i deeply respect who once said to me, "mountaineering isnt about the destination, its about the journey". And our journey has brought us full circle, now, closer as friends. We just received our first course at the famous restaurant, Siete Cocinas. We are smiling, laughing and relishing in the incredible journey we are experiencing. RMI Guides JJ and Christina

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Tough decision Doug, glad you’re all down ok. The mountain will still be there when you go back

Posted by: Jean & Rich Krohn on 12/23/2015 at 3:17 pm

It’s time to enjoy a hearty glass of single malt scotch Doug. Glad all of you are safe and sound. Goose.

Posted by: John Newland on 12/23/2015 at 6:39 am

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Entries from Aconcagua

Aconcagua: King and Team Enjoy a Windy Rest Day

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman and Team Gather in Mendoza

Aconcagua: King and Team Carry to Chopper Camp

On The Map

Aconcagua: King & Team Reach Camp 1!

On The Map

Aconcagua: King and Team Enjoy Rest Day at Base Camp

Aconcagua: King and Team Carry to Camp 1

Aconcagua: King & Team Sending Christmas Wishes

On The Map

Aconcagua: King & Team Finish Approach Into Base Camp

Aconcagua: King and Team Reach Casa de Piedra

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Return to Mendoza

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