Today we enjoyed the first break in the wind we've seen up here and made a very productive carry to Camp 1. This not only put some much needed supplies higher on the mountain, but gave us a chance to taste our thinnest air so far and work on our high altitude techniques for later on. Tomorrow we will move up to Camp 1 if weather permits and be one step closer to higher exploration.
Tonight after our climbing was complete, we had a great (hopefully) last meal for a while here at BC. It really fueled us for a big day tomorrow, but not nearly as much as reading all the blog responses from everyone back home. Thanks.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
PS. Happy Birthday to il Padrino.
Holiday greetings to all our friends around the world! Down/up here on Aconcagua it has been a Christmas to remember. We went on an acclimatization hike towards C1, enjoyed a favorite mountain holiday tradition of quesadillas a la Leon, and generally enjoyed each other's company. Tomorrow we will ride the (hopefully) improving trend of decreasing winds and try to carry up to Camp 1. Our time spent at BC prepares us for strength on the upper mountain and we look forward to making the most of it.
Here are a few shout outs from the team:
"Feeling great! Love you all. MUAT baby."
"Merry Christmas family and friends. Love from 14,000 feet."
"Love you family! #2, wish you were here! Love you, #1"
"Jeanne, Love you."
"Merry Christmas Fam!"
"Adi, having a great time. See you soon. Do your homework-love, Dad"
"Vien, all I want for X-mad is you."
A few of us might have been napping, but rest assure we all miss our people and can't wait to share this adventure when we return.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
Greetings from Basecamp! Our team battled a bit of wind getting here, but here we are safe and sound. Our morning began with the more sensible members of the team riding mules across the Vacas River, while the rest of us "tough" (ie ridiculous) members waded across the icy stream. Once our icy feet had boots on, we hiked up the Relinchos Valley underneath a towering view of Aconcagua. It definitely looked windy up there, with spindrift ripping off the peak. Basecamp is somewhat better and after a good session of camp building in the elements, the team is ready for some well earned R&R. Tomorrow we rest and prepare ourselves for that break in the weather.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
Today we left camp to the sound of our herreros singing as they packed up the mules for Casa de Piedra, today was again hot, but as the temps rose, our tailwind turned into a headwind and kept us cool.
The team did great today, handling day two of our approach and just before camp we were treated to a spectacular view of Aconcagua and Cerro Amenghino. We even saw two guanacos loping down valley as we pulled into camp! Nice to see our objective at last and tomorrow we all look forward to making our basecamp on the mountain.
PS is it the end of the world as we know it? We feel fine.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
Buenos tardes from Pampa de Llenas,
Our first camp on the way to Basecamp. After a somewhat leisurely morning at the hotel, we registered with the Federales and hit the trail. The walk was pleasant, warm but manageable with just enough of a breeze to keep the team from bursting into a fuego.
Now at camp we have reviewed tent building, a super important step for the rest of the trip, and are tending to a little relaxed maintenance. Resting in the tent we can hear only the wind and occasional braying of mules, the sounds of "civilization" soon to be no more than a memory. No more wheeled contraptions for us, just our feet and the hooves of our new friends.
Our adventure has truly begun.
RMI Guide Jake Beren & Team
Hola from a stone's throw from the Chilean border! Our team is currently relaxing at our hotel, enjoying coffees and catnaps before dinner. Our gear is packed and weighed for the mules who will help us out by schlepping our kit all the way to Aconcagua's Basecamp. Tomorrow we will hit the trail, tagging in after our friends with RMI Team the First (who we stopped on the road to visit on our way here). Time for one last meal without doing our own dishes and an evening in a "real" bed.
Tomorrow we ride,
RMI Guide Jake Beren
PS. After a fantastic meal here at the Hotel Ayelen the team discovered the hidden ping pong table. Dios mio man. Turns out the entire team is pretty darn good with a paddle. Let's call it our first acclimatization cycle.
Greetings from Mendoza! The entire team has arrived with all bags accounted for and after a siesta, team meeting and feast we are ready to head out tomorrow. When we get up we'll hopefully have a busy day, securing permits and driving to Penitentes to load up our gear for the Mulas and enjoy one last restaurant meal before hitting the trail. Wish us luck for our last bit of off-mountain logistics. It feels great to be one step closer to getting on the hill.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
Godspeed to each of you! Know that this journey will change each of you in a deep way. It’s my dream to follow your footsteps within a few years. Can’t wait to hear from you as your adventure unfolds!
Hey this is JJ and Team One on Aconcagua,
The weather is fouling up the satellite so I will make this quick. We have left Aconcagua Base Camp, and it was probably the worst day walking out of Base Camp I have ever had. Usually we are worried about sunburn, but today we have to be worried about windburn in a blinding blizzard snow storm. Something I have never seen before. It is definitely nice to be out of that weather and a little bit lower in the valley. The team is doing great and we’re real happy. We are actually having a great dinner of filet mignon with the cowboys that are carrying our stuff out via the mules.
This will be our Final Dispatch of what was one incredible adventure, with the weather that is still not letting up is going to miserable for the next few days, so hopefully Mendoza will be a little sunnier, a little warmer, and a little more hospitable. The Team definitely deserves it!
Thanks again everyone for following along, and definitely stay tuned because Geoff Schellens, Garrett Stevens, and I will be back at it with another Expedition her on Aconcagua. We hope the weather gods will be kinder to us.
I can’t say enough great things about this team and the great experience we have had. No summit but that is the way the weather goes.
That’s all for now from Argentina, Ciao!
JJ Justman, Geoff Schellens, and Team
Todd McClure- Todd, I am praying for your safety and that you have an amazing time. I can’t wait to hear stories in late January about the climb. One step at a time!!! Tim Dolan
Posted by: Tim Dolan on 1/2/2013 at 12:52 pm
This is a shout out for Todd McClure. Todd, thanks for the link and I hope you get this. I’ll be thinking about you and your effort and all you stand for and know that you’ve got what it takes. Drink lots of water and you should be fine. Altitude headaches are horrible, and hopefully you’ll acclimatize well. You’re big and strong and can carry a lot of weight which should help your team. I’m thinking the best for you and your group. What an adventure.
Posted by: Bart Blankenship on 12/29/2012 at 10:40 am
Hi All,
RMI Aconcagua team one here in Base Camp watching the torrent on the upper mountain as we pack and organize gear for the mules. After soup and snacks we moved on to sports and movie trivia with some of our German climbing friends. Although we are all disappointed to be leaving the mountain with out a summit, the foul weather and thoughts of steak and wine are reassuring.
We will start our hike out tomorrow and get back to Mendoza on Thursday the 20th. Thank you all for all the support and we look forward to talking to all our friends and family soon.
RMI Guides JJ Justman, Geoff Schellens & Team
Hello everyone! It's Team One on Aconcagua. Well, it's a bitter sweet. For the good news, the entire team is safe an sound in base camp. For the not so good news Aconcagua is angry. I don't think we did anything to offend her but it is clear she is not in a good mood.
For two days our team survived restless hours in the wind at 18,000 feet. Yesterday, the winds calmed to 35 mph allowing us to climb to 20,118 feet. When we returned the forecast that was given to us came true. The wind picked up again and it was time to batten the hatches.
Our plan was to do our last acclimatization day yesterday, which we did. Then to rest today, then move to high camp, then summit. The winds on the summit currently are close to 100 mph and they are predicted to be stronger through the 23rd. Well past our window of opportunity.
Our team made the decision to head toward safer and calmer territory. We are all in basecamp after a tough day carrying heavy packs downhill.
It may seem disappointing but when the mountain says No, you have to accept the fact there is nothing you can do about it. The team is in great spirits and we are thankful we are down out of the hazardous wind and bitter cold.
RMI Guide JJ Justman
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Keep going, Josh! I wore a bow tie the last two days at work. I am assuming you’re doing the same up there.
Posted by: Nic on 12/27/2012 at 2:07 pm
I tried to post on Christmas day…now it’s a post-Christmas Merry Christmas, Josh, and the whole team!! Wishing for your safe ascent and trip back down…from the warmth of the indoors :)
Love, Sis, Junior, and Léoni
Posted by: Amanda Gentine on 12/27/2012 at 11:33 am
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