Entries from Aconcagua

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Carry to Camp 2

December 15, 2015

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,200'

Team Aconcagua is getting down to business! This morning we awoke to windy but clear skies. After we loaded up on coffee and waffles we threw the backpacks on and climbed uphill. The team did a fantastic job reaching Camp 2 at 18,000 feet. We emptied our packs into a duffle bag and zipped it shut. Our second cache of gear is done and the team is now even more acclimatized. We are now back at Camp 1 and we just finished a round of hot soup. The guides are busy melting snow for water. Needless to say, the team is tired. Tonight is pizza night so I need to start making the dough. RMI Guides JJ Justman and Christina von Mertens

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Christina wish I would be there with you on your climbing squad! Have a great time!

Posted by: Meredith on 12/15/2015 at 9:27 pm

Good job and good luck to the whole team! Way to go, John McFarlane! Keeping the drinks in your cup?

Posted by: Chris Colleran on 12/15/2015 at 7:20 pm

View All Comments

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Move to Camp 1

December 14, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Christina Dale

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,400'

Hey everyone. This is JJ and Christina with team one on Aconcagua. We are up at Camp One. We settled into camp at 16,400 feet. It was a windy day. We're putting on the wind burn cream as we speak. The team did a phenomenal job. It was a tough day to get up here, probably had about 30 mile-per-hour winds, but we did a great job getting tents up. Right now we have the stoves going. We're melting snow because there's no running water here, which there usually is. So we are melting snow for water and getting some hot drinks going and recovery at 16,400 feet. Everyone says hi to family and friends. We're doing great, but we're going to go for now and get busy on hots and dinner. Thanks for following along. Stay tuned. Tomorrow if the weather is decent, we are hoping to do a carry to 18,000 feet, Camp Two. Take care. Ciao from Aconcagua. RMI Guide JJ Justman

RMI Guide JJ Justman calls from Camp 1 Aconcagua.

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Yeah! Wishing you all continued success. This is a wonderful way to end 2015 and be ready for new challenges in 2016. A special good wish and high-five to our nephew Chris. We are sooo proud of you! Prayers for you and the team…and a bit of the Christmas Cheer to warm you up. Say “Hi” to Santa! Love, Aunt Cindi and Uncle Roy

Posted by: Cindi Burrell on 12/15/2015 at 5:30 am

Great job on the move, in those conditions. The views only get better from here on. This is JJ’s mountain, and sounds as if you have a very strong team. Special shout out to Chris and John, and wishing only the best for all of you!

Posted by: Peter rogers on 12/15/2015 at 2:37 am

View All Comments

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Beat the Precip on Carry to Camp 1

December 13, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Christina Dale

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,400'

A tough day today and our group truly shone. We woke up early and had a quick breakfast of oatmeal and cold cereal then threw on some heavy packs and headed to Camp 1. Our goal today was to bring up food and fuel to Camp 1 then descend back to basecamp for the last night in luxury. Our carry today took us up to 16,400 feet in quite strong winds that made the climb very challenging. Everyone performed well and we walked into Camp 1 as a strong cohesive team walking together. As soon as we left our cache of gear we flew down the mountain as light as if we were on the moon. Timing was perfect because behind us rolled in some light precip and clouds. Back at basecamp we all celebrated our well-timed carry with snacks and tea. Tomorrow our plan is to move up to Camp 1 and be in great position to learn lots from Aconcagua. The team says hi to everyone back home and keep the words of support coming. We've been reading them aloud in the evenings! RMI Guides Christina von Mertens and JJ Justman

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Your good timing on that carry is something to be thankful for! Here in the Cascade Mountains, at 4500 feet we have 2 full feet of fresh snow. So beautiful. Dogs diving and surfacing like dolphins to get through the powder. Back to you, intrepid team that you are, we wish you a smooth “moving house” day up to Camp 1. Onward!!

Blythe and Larry

Posted by: Blythe Lasley on 12/14/2015 at 2:37 pm

Sending you Love from Colorado! GO TEAM!!!

Posted by: Megan O'Meara on 12/13/2015 at 9:48 pm

View All Comments

Aconcagua: Justman and Team Acclimate at Base Camp

December 12, 2015

Posted by: Christina Dale, JJ Justman

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Hello from base camp! It's Team Aconcagua reporting for blogging! Last night the winds were howling here at base. We woke up and the winds were still gusting and we had several snow squalls blowing through camp. It was a fairly easy decision for the team. We decided not to do our carry to camp one at 16200 feet. Sure, you betcha, the team could have grit their teeth and made it to camp one. However, we are not in a hurry. We were planning on a second rest day at base camp anyways. Instead of sitting around though, we donned light packs and did an acclimatization hike to just above 15000 feet. The entire team is doing great! And despite the adversity we are all in good spirits. It's now noon so Christina and I are cooking up some fresh veggies to go into our Plaza Argentina Potato Surprise. Thanks for checking in with us and keep you fingers crossed for nicer weather. We are hoping to carry food and gear to camp one tomorrow and then return for a last night in base camp. Go Packers!!! RMI Guides JJ Justman and Christina Von Mertens

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Wishing you all a safe climb. Love hearing how it is going.
Chris, looking forward to seeing your great photos!

Posted by: Sally Schuler on 12/14/2015 at 12:23 pm

Glad to hear you’re all doing well! Sounds really cold up there, but I know you guys all dig that! Sending a shout out of “hello” to my pal Chris Villar. And hoping that you guys are all having a blast!

Posted by: Aaron Shumaker on 12/13/2015 at 12:15 pm

View All Comments

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Prepare for Carry to Camp 1

December 11, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Christina Dale

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Showers, movies, pate, and packing for the upper mountain. Today we are resting and organizing at Plaza de Argentina, the basecamp for Aconcagua. Everyone is feeling great indicated by full nights of sleep and healthy appetites. The basecamp amenities have surprised us all in excellent food and comfortable accessories. The mules headed back to the barn yesterday leaving us with much heavier loads of food, fuel, and warm layers to heave up this mountain. Everyone agrees that on this beautiful warm sunny day at 14,000 feet the best part is the company. We have a tremendous group of climbers who are all acclimatizing well and ready for a carry of gear tomorrow to Camp 1. Hello to all! RMI Guide Christina von Mertens

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Here in Oregon snow is falling and we are thinking of you! Climb well and high.

Blythe n Larry

Posted by: Blythe Lasley on 12/12/2015 at 11:49 am

So glad everyone is feeling and doing well. Good luck to Camp 1…..

Posted by: Dudley Macfarlane on 12/11/2015 at 8:08 pm

View All Comments

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Arrive Base Camp

December 10, 2015

Posted by: Christina Dale, JJ Justman

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 14,000'

Hello - Our team has officially arrived at Aconcagua Base Camp, Plaza Argentina at 14,000 feet. It was a beautiful day trekking today. Actually, it was our nicest day so far as we lathered up in sunscreen. Everyone is doing well. Base Camp is quiet. It almost feels like we are the only ones here. Gotta love that! We have set up personal tents and we are now being spoiled with delicious snacks from our Base Camp staff. Everyone deserves a break so stay tuned to find out what we are up to tomorrow here at Plaza Argentina! RMI Guides JJ Justman and Christina von Mertens

On The Map

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Good news - rest and recover for the big work ahead. Glad to hear the group is doing well.

Posted by: Peter Rogers on 12/10/2015 at 8:30 pm

Thanks for info from the Base Camp.Happy to know that you had a great day.
Wish you all the best!
Huge hug to our son,Tibor!

Katie Kelemen from California

Posted by: Katie Kelemen on 12/10/2015 at 3:15 pm

View All Comments

Aconcagua: Justman and Team Trek to Casa de Piedra

December 9, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Christina Dale

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 10,550'

Hey, everyone. This is the Aconcagua team with Christina and JJ. Everyone's doing great. We woke up early this morning and began our hike to our second trekking camp, which is Casa de Piedra. We're in a little bit of an argument as to what Casa de Piedra means. I said it means house of Piedra, but they don't believe me. If any of you know what Casa de Piedra means, if you could, just write in the comment section what it means so I can settle this with the team. Other than that, we're doing great. Good walk up to about 11,000 feet. We set up camp. We weren't able to get a look at Aconcagua. It was a little cloudy today, but down here the weather is really nice. So we're just relaxing, acclimatizing, drinking water and just hanging out. Tomorrow we will be trekking to Base Camp of Aconcagua at 14,000 feet. We're hoping for a good day. It was definitely a littler blustery up at Base Camp today. We're glad we're down a little lower. The team says hi to all their family and friends. Stay tuned and we'll touch base from Base Camp tomorrow. RMI Guide JJ Justman

RMI Guide JJ Justman from Casa de Piedra.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Casa de Piedra means House of Stone; sounds like everyone had a great trip!

Posted by: John Boicourt on 12/10/2015 at 5:35 am

I bet you guys all wish you had your cell phones to ponder over the meaning of “Casa de Piedra”. The internet came of no help after 20 minutes of searching. Only the lonely planet had a snippet saying that it was a beautiful stone….something since the page no longer existed. Perhaps you will find the answer down the road or more like up the road.

Hoping you guys are having a blast and absorbing all the beauties of mother nature.

Ava saw Tibor’s photos and says “That’s my Daddy!” She, myself, and the entire Kelemen Clan is very happy to see these post. We miss you Aps and be safe!

Kisses from California,
Tam & Ava

Posted by: Tam & Ava on 12/9/2015 at 10:01 pm

View All Comments

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Arrive at Las Lenas

December 8, 2015

Posted by: Christina Dale, JJ Justman

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

Hey everyone this is JJ Justman and Christina. We are at Pampa de Las Lenas, our first trekking camp. Today, was one heck of an adventure. Everything's great, the team is great. Everyone's doing well. But the rain fall and the snow accumulation that they had in this area was definitely prevalent today. There was a lot of water that we never encountered here before. Typically you can step across these tiny little creeks and today we had to full on wade through them almost to our waists. it was actually a lot of fun, but it was a big surprise and it took a little longer than normal. We had a great asado dinner with the cowboys here and we're enjoying the first evening out on the trail. It's a beautiful evening. As I mentioned the entire team is doing really great and having a lot of fun. So stay tuned tomorrow. We're going to see what's in store for us. I hope it's not as interesting as it was today. But, if it is, that's why we're here to have a great adventure. So stay tuned, and we'll see how things go tomorrow. Take care from Argentina. Bye. RMI Guide JJ Justman

RMI Guide JJ Justman checks in after reaching Pampa de Las Lenas at 9,000 ft en route to Aconcagua Base Camp.

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Travel to Los Penitentes

December 7, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Christina Dale

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

See! I told you so! Good news from Aconcagua. Our team member's missing bags are here! We left Mendoza early this afternoon and are now in "The Aspen" of the Mendoza region, named Penitentes. We had to stop at Estancia de Elias, a great restaurant for their famous empanadas. The team organized our gear while Christina and I packed all the expedition food and gear. We are lucky that we get to have the cowboys help by packing the majority of gear on mules. However, it's getting late, we are having dinner and one of the team members is eyeing my bacon and cheese stuffed chicken so I need to go before Stephanie takes a bite! Chau from Argentina, RMI Guides JJ Justman and Christina von Mertens

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

A big hooray for the lost luggage fairies! This looks like my idea of climbing, btw. A nice dinner, great company and BACON!

Posted by: Lori Welch Brown on 12/9/2015 at 6:43 am

Everyone looks relaxed and comfortable. Nice way to start. Good luck.

Posted by: Dudley Macfarlane on 12/8/2015 at 4:01 pm

View All Comments

JJ Justman Kicks Off the RMI Aconcagua Season!

December 7, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman, Christina Dale

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Team Aconcagua signing in from Mendoza, Argentina. Our first team has arrived and I have said it many times, the hardest part of the trip is getting started. We have missing bags and other adversities. However, that's not getting us down or holding us back. After all, we are in Argentina! Its time to relax, enjoy and everything will come together. So as we solve these roadblocks today, we are reliving a great dinner last night. The team is getting to know one another and its all smiles in the land of sun! Stay tuned as our adventure unfolds. Will the bags show up? Will JJ actually grow hair only to have it go grey? Which team member will finish the 96-ounce steak challenge? RMI Guides JJ Justman and Christina von Mertens

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

See you all at basecamp in a few days!

Posted by: Dave Vee on 12/7/2015 at 9:08 pm

Looks like one heck of a game crew - not sure the mountain is ready for all that energy. Wishing you perfect weather and friendly mules. And save room for pizza at base camp!

Posted by: Peter Rogers on 12/7/2015 at 4:24 pm

View All Comments

Previous Page Next Page

Check Availability

Entries from Aconcagua

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Carry to Camp 2

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Move to Camp 1

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Beat the Precip on Carry to Camp 1

Aconcagua: Justman and Team Acclimate at Base Camp

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Prepare for Carry to Camp 1

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Arrive Base Camp

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman and Team Trek to Casa de Piedra

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Arrive at Las Lenas

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Travel to Los Penitentes

JJ Justman Kicks Off the RMI Aconcagua Season!

Sign up for Expedition Dispatches

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Translate

Log In

Register With Us

Check Availability

Entries from Aconcagua

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

Sign up for Expedition Dispatches