Entries from Aconcagua

Aconcagua: Billy Nugent & Team Meet in Mendoza

January 12, 2016

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Hi everybody and welcome to the dispatch blog for this year's early January RMI Aconcagua expedition. Billy here checking in from lovely Mendoza, Argentina, where the last of our team (and a bunch of missing luggage) has finally arrived. We had an informative meet and greet this evening poolside at the classic Nutibara Hotel, a haven for Aconcagua climbers from all over the world, where we all got to know each other and run through some important details about our upcoming adventure. Afterwards we headed out on the town for our first team dinner, enjoying the steaks, wine, and Italian influenced food Mendoza is famous for. It looks like we have a very fit and experienced climbing team this year which bodes well for our chances up on the mountain. We'll check in again tomorrow from Los Penitentes where we'll be packing up our loads for the mules and finishing up the last of our preparations before heading onto the mountain. RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Gerald from team 2015 wishing you all a safe climb! Remember it’s about the journey not the destination :)! However let’s face it the destination is pretty AWESOME! Can’t say enough good stuff about Billy and Katrina. Love Love Love e;m!!! You guys are in good hands with this A team! Watch listen and learn…They have so much experience and knowledge not to mention their professionalism as guides was invaluable to the 2015 teams success. Been thinking about joining you in Ecuador Billy Feb.2nd… What no Katrina! Maybe not then LOL!!!

Have a GREAT climb team!

Gerald

Posted by: Gerald Flynn on 1/13/2016 at 9:06 am

Randy…your epic adventure begins! Best of luck and try to stay warm. I will think of you every time I crawl under our nice warm electric blanket. I love you! “The mountains are calling and I must go.” John Muir
-Lisa

Posted by: Lisa Irwin on 1/13/2016 at 8:32 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Pack Up and Leave for the Dusty Trail

January 11, 2016

Posted by: JJ Justman, Pepper Dee

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Hi folks, Well, it's time to say goodbye to Aconcagua Base Camp and hit the dusty trail back to Las Lenas. Given the grim outlook on this mountain for the next week, the team is rather excited to be able to get back home to you all just a little bit sooner. We're hoping that the promise of huge slabs of steak cooked over an open fire will motivate us along the 18 or so miles we have ahead of us today. Hopefully we can stay hydrated and blister free. You used to call us on our sat phone, RMI Guides Pepper Dee and JJ Justman

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Great to meet you and have some fun with your team!

Cheers! Fred

Posted by: Fred Doar on 1/17/2016 at 4:07 pm

Hi Eric Leger & ACONCAGUA Team: It was a nice experience following along on your journey through the blog. Thank you so much. You have so much to be proud of in all that you were able to experience in your mind/body/spirit. Wishing you all safe travels home.

“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves” -Edmund Hillary

~MIllie

Posted by: millie Chase on 1/13/2016 at 7:07 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team at Base Camp

January 10, 2016

Posted by: JJ Justman, Pepper Dee

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Hello folks, Team 3 is resting and doing well back at base camp on Aconcagua. There are a lot of teams that have retreated from the upper mountain and have departed base camp. Last night Pepper and one of our team members, Brian, played guitar and sang for the entire base camp and yes, they received a standing ovation. As for our team, we are not quite ready to throw in the towel but I have to be honest, the weather and the forecast is looking horrible with extremely high winds continuing for several days. We will keep you posted to our progress. As for now, the team is really happy not having to hold tents up from the inside and actually enjoying visiting the bathrooms. RMI Guides JJ Justman and Pepper Dee

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Bonjour Éric,

Un petit message qui j’espère t’arrivera où que tu sois. Je suis sûr que tu réussis à atteindre tes objectifs. Et pour une fois, oublie ce vieux dicton qui dit : “Quand tu as atteint le sommet de la montagne, continue de grimper”. On pense à toi, on t’aime et n’hésite pas si tu as le moindre problème pour redescendre à m’appeler : je ferai le max ! À tantôt, Phil

Posted by: Phil on 1/11/2016 at 7:36 am

Hey Brad! We sure hope the weather turns enough for you to summit. We can’t wait to hear all about your trip and hope it will include a summit. If not, it sure will be great memories for yall, just stay safe. As big as that mountain is, just know that you are loved even more, way more!! We think about you every day. We love and miss you! Love Mimi and Dad XO

Posted by: Mimi Rearden on 1/11/2016 at 7:18 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Hunker Down in Wind and Snow at Camp 1

January 7, 2016

Posted by: JJ Justman, Pepper Dee

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,200'

Well, when life gives you 50 mph wind gusts and incidental snow storms, you hole up in your tent, drink tea, and eat ramen. In other words, the team is getting a taste of expedition living at its finest up here at Aconcagua Camp 1. The good news is, all team members are doing well, battling the elements through stoic tent maintenance, self care, and once in a while poking their heads outside to catch a glimpse of the spindrift whipping down the neighboring slopes. Send us all the positive weather vibes you can! Blessings on blessings from the boys on the hill, RMI Guides Pepper Dee and JJ Justman

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Brad & Co… Still hoping for better conditions for you guys! Hang tough and I’m sure you guys will get to push up and summit soon! Until then, rest up and keep your head down! Good Luck!

Still following along daily..
JD

Posted by: J Davis on 1/9/2016 at 9:13 pm

Brad & Brian:

Hang in there…hope the weather is better soon and you get to the summit. Miss you and will be glad when you are safely back home…stay warm.

Posted by: Bobbi Birt on 1/8/2016 at 2:44 pm

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Aconcagua: Justman and Team Settle in at Camp One

January 6, 2016

Posted by: JJ Justman, Pepper Dee

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 16,200'

Hey Everyone, This is JJ Justman and Pepper Dee and Team 3 Aconcagua. We had one heck of a day you can probably hear the wind here. We fought the battle and we got up here to Camp One at 16,500 feet. Pretty adverse conditions, but the team just did a fantastic job! Actually Pepper and I are really impressed with these guys, none of them hired any porters and when we got to camp they set up the tents themselves. They're anchoring them out right now and getting moved, it's been a long day. I wanted to write a dispatch to let you know how great the team is doing, but we're running a little bit behind schedule. We've got some stoves to get going and get some snow melt into water to get re-hydrated and make sure these folks are doing well. Everyone's doing great! Thanks for Following along, Tough day to get up here at Camp One, but everyone safe and sound. As usual we're still having fun and the views are only getting better! We're probably going to have a couple of lazy days here. The forecast is calling for a quite a bit of wind for the next several days, so we're not in a huge rush to go running up hill. It is nice to get a little higher and improve on our acclimatization. Again, thanks for following along and we'll touch base soon.

JJ Justman and Pepper Dee Checking in from Camp One on Aconcagua.

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Brian and Brad: I hate to hear that the weather isn’t cooperating…y’all will have to make the most of it - swapping stories while you’re holed up in the tents.

Posted by: Johnny on 1/7/2016 at 10:33 am

Congratulations, everyone!!! Please continue to hydrate and to err on the side of caution.
God bless every single one of you. Mama Kucik

Posted by: Karen Kucik on 1/7/2016 at 6:41 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Relax at Base Camp

January 5, 2016

Posted by: JJ Justman, Pepper Dee

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Wind, wind, wind! Because the forecast is calling for foul weather the team has decided to spend one more day at Base Camp. After all, after a great day up to 16,400 feet we will only get stronger down low. So, the team is relaxing, eating pizzas, taking showers and enjoying another day in base. Everyone here wants to say hello to their friends and families. Keep your fingers crossed for calmer winds. We are hoping to move up to Camp 1 tomorrow. RMI Guides JJ Justman and Pepper Dee

On The Map

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Brian—Worried about you—you are my favorite Bulldog and I am counting on you to kick butt
with Mother Nature!

Posted by: Dan McIntyre on 1/8/2016 at 7:07 pm

JJ—you da man—climb strong and safe!

Posted by: randy c on 1/6/2016 at 10:26 am

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Aconcagua: Justman & Team Carry to Camp 1

January 4, 2016

Posted by: JJ Justman, Pepper Dee

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Today was a big day for our Aconcagua Team! After loading up our packs with food and supplies for the upper mountain, we set off above Base Camp into the penitente maze separating Base Camp from Camp 1. For those of you in need of a mountaineering glossary, penitentes are chunks of hardened snow molded by the elements into spires, ranging from shin high to-under some conditions-over head high. Negotiating the penitentes, combined with the wind and snow the team encountered at Camp 1, made for a challenging but successful carry day. Spirits are high as we enjoy a potato hash back at Base Camp. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose, RMI Guides Pepper Dee and JJ Justman

On The Map

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Hey Dad (Mike)!! So glad to read that you all are having a great trek! Cheering you on from VA.

Love,
Devon & the kiddos

Posted by: Devon on 1/4/2016 at 8:37 pm

Yum, potato hash! TJ is jealous. The boys are all caught up on your progress, babe, and we are cheering you on from afar.

FYI: We managed to frontline two kitties (with Townsend’s help). One has evaded us; can you guess who?!

Love you and miss you, Terry/Daddy.

Posted by: Amanda, TJ and Townsend on 1/4/2016 at 5:54 pm

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Aconcagua: King & Team at Pampas de Lenas

January 3, 2016

Posted by: Mike King, Caleb Ladue

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

This is Mike and team checking in after our delicious asado dinner cooked by the mule drivers. We had an eight-hour hike from Base Camp and some of our feet faired better then others. Regardless, everyone is excited to be in Mendoza tomorrow night. This has been a great group of climbers and while we didn't stand on top of Aconcagua, the team learned a lot and had fun doing so. RMI Guide Mike King

Aconcagua: Justman & Team R&R Time after Acclimating Hike

January 3, 2016

Posted by: JJ Justman, Pepper Dee

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

First, this dispatch is brought to you by Starbucks...I sit here drinking an Italian roast as I write this. Second, this team is rocking and rolling! Today we took a well-deserved day of rest at Aconcagua Base Camp; however, everyone had a great first night at altitude. The team woke up to a fresh egg veggie scramble. We went to work after breakfast and began organizing food and gear for our carry to Camp 1. We went for an acclimatization hike and explored the surrounding area. Everyone is doing great and despite the strong winds, we are having a lot of fun. Stay tuned for more Aconcagua action and as usual... Go Green Bay!! RMI Guides JJ Justman and Pepper Dee

On The Map

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Who is the Packer fan? I love my Green Bay Packers but they let the Vikings beat them. Oh well, on to Washington. Good luck to all, especially Terry! Thinking about you. Judi

Posted by: Judi Harper on 1/6/2016 at 2:27 pm

Brad and Brian:

Hope you guys are having fun. Be safe. Looking forward to having you home! Happy Trails!

Posted by: Bobbi Birt on 1/5/2016 at 4:59 am

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Aconcagua: King & Team Descend to Base Camp

January 2, 2016

Posted by: Caleb Ladue, Mike King

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

This is Mike and the Team. We are at Base Camp feeling good after a long day carrying down our equipment from 18,000' to 13,800'. We will start our descent to the road tomorrow, which will entail 20 miles and culminate in a delicious Argentinean asado dinner. The weather continues to plague teams and we are thankful for our time up high. RMI Guide Mike King

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Entries from Aconcagua

Aconcagua: Billy Nugent & Team Meet in Mendoza

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Pack Up and Leave for the Dusty Trail

Aconcagua: Justman & Team at Base Camp

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Hunker Down in Wind and Snow at Camp 1

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman and Team Settle in at Camp One

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Relax at Base Camp

On The Map

Aconcagua: Justman & Team Carry to Camp 1

On The Map

Aconcagua: King & Team at Pampas de Lenas

Aconcagua: Justman & Team R&R Time after Acclimating Hike

On The Map

Aconcagua: King & Team Descend to Base Camp

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