Entries from Aconcagua
January 11, 2012
Posted by:
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,000'
Hi everybody,
This is the Aconcagua team checking in from
Pampa de Leñas camp.
After a few days in Mendoza and Penitentes doing the hardest part of climbing a big mountain (getting the climbing permits, trying to get all the duffel bags that didn't make it to the airport with us, packing a ton of food and gear for the mules, etc), today we started the trek to Base Camp. The mountain welcomed us with a perfect blue sky day. We hiked for five and half hours today and got to our first camp on the Vacas Valley.
Everybody did a great job and we are all feeling good. We are getting ready to sit down to dinner. Pete and Gilbert have cooked a gorgeous veggie pasta, almost as good as the amazing Argentinian steaks that we were eating since we arrived in Mendoza.
That is all for today, cheers!
RMI Guide Gabriel Barral and Team Aconcagua.
On The Map
The entire team arrived safely in Mendoza with all our gear (almost). One delayed bag should be arriving tomorrow in Mendoza.
It is after midnight here and we just returned to the hotel after our first team dinner. We had a great meal enjoying the local flavors of Malbec and of course some Argentinian beef. We were busy all day with everyone's arrival and our first team meeting. We are now just finishing the day.
Everyone is excited to start the trip and is looking forward to get closer to the big mountain.
Cheers
Gabi, Pete and Gilbert
December 31, 2011
Posted by: Jake Beren
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Feliz Ano Nuevo from Mendoza! Our last dispatch was from
Aconcagua's base camp and we have certainly covered many miles since then. A big day of walking from Plaza Argentina to Pampa de Llenas put us in camp just in time for a big Asado prepared by our herreros, the mule drivers who transport our gear off the mountain. An early morning walk brought us to Penitentes where we showered and had lunch before heading to Mendoza. Now back in civilization our celebratory meal felt great and is a far cry from mountain food and the thin air of the Andes, but the significance of the last few weeks that put us on top of the highest mountain outside of the Himalaya is still sinking in. Everyone has done a great job and I am thankful for the time spend with a great team. Nice work all!
RMI Guide Jake Beren
December 28, 2011
Posted by: Jake Beren
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
After nearly 6,000 feet of walking downhill, our tired but happy team pulled into
Plaza Argentina. It was sunny and calm and perfect for setting up a relaxed camp before a big steak dinner. Everyone descended in style, putting a proud finish to a great climb. Tomorrow we will walk to Pampa de Llenas, a short hop from the road to Mendoza. Talk to you all in a few days.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
On The Map
December 27, 2011
Posted by: Jake Beren
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
"You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. . . "
After nearly two weeks of hard work here in the Andes, our team stood on top of the tallest mountain in either North or South America! Congratulations on a job well done. We had to earn it today, climbing through the chilly pre-dawn winds into a whiteout summit. Occasionally the surrounding peaks popped out, only to retreat behind an opaque veil that became our visual reality as we ascended the
Canaleta to the summit. A fine day in the mountains nonetheless and everyone should be proud of a tough, safe and successful climb. Tomorrow we start the long voyage back to Mendoza, retracing the steps taken a few weeks ago back to civilization. Thanks for all the support from the homeland and we'll be seeing you soon.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
On The Map
December 27, 2011
Posted by: Jake Beren
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 22,841'
RMI Guide Jake Beren phoned from the summit of
Aconcagua. The team climbed well and there are seven climbers on the summit with the guides. Jake reported cloudy skies with lite snow. They will be starting their descent and will check in again soon.
Congratulations to the team!
On The Map
December 26, 2011
Posted by: Jake Beren
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
Today we moved from Guanacos Camp to our high camp at Piedras Blancas on
Aconcagua. The team moved quite well and we pulled into camp in the early afternoon with plenty of time to set up shop and have a siesta before an early dinner. The weather is the wild card here, if it is climbable tomorrow we will go for the top. If not, we are prepared to wait it out. Wish us luck.
P.S. A very happy birthday to il Padrino!
RMI Guide
Jake Beren
On The Map
December 25, 2011
Posted by: Jake Beren
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
Merry Christmas One & All! We are enjoying the day relaxing at the Guanacos Camp on
Aconcagua, resting before our last move to Camp 3 and summit push. There is a big of weather up high, but camp is sunny and pleasant. If things clear up tomorrow, then up we go! Cross your fingers for us dear friends!
Thing of all you lowlanders today and can't want to reconnect when we descend.
Enjoy the holidays amigos!
RMI Guide
Jake Beren
On The Map
December 24, 2011
Posted by: Jake Beren
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
Today we carried up to Camp 2 to make a cache. The wind was a constant presence, but we managed to get up to camp in good style and enjoyed the different views as we climbed to new heights. Whispy clouds aloft slowly built throughout the day and we are keeping our fingers crossed for some decent weather to head our way, but we are prepared to outchill the storm if need be.
Over dinner tonight we read everyone's responses to the dispatches. Thanks everyone, they were certainly a hit. We miss you all and can't wait to share the adventure when we return.
Finally, from the tent and minds of 2 Richs and a Trevor comes a poem.
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Andes, not a creature was stirring, not even the Spaniard.
Team
RMI lay in bags way up high,
Hoping to delay peeing until dawn's early light
When out of the sky came a horrible roar,
And one more wind blast made us all hit the floor.
For almost 2 weeks we have not seen a tree,
Or even a plant a Guanaco might eat.
Our time is spent sleeping on boulder-strewn scree,
Or climbing steep slopes that grind on our knee.
The air is so thin that it jumbles our thoughts, and after some pitches we only see spots.
And yet on this day our thoughts turn to home and all of the loved ones that we've left alone. So for this reason we send our love from above and say we can't wait to see you when our climb is all done
So we close with the words that we hear everyday from Jake, Elias, and Geoff who show us the way. On Adam, on Katie, on Dave, and on Kim, on Eric, on Craig, on Trevor, and Rich (and Rich)
Merry christmas and happy holidays! And to all a good night!
RMI Guide
Jake Beren
On The Map
December 22, 2011
Posted by: Jake Beren
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 16,200'
Our winds have been quite manageable today with occasional gusts, but overall very pleasant. We are resting here at
Camp 1, getting used to the altitude before carrying up to Camp 2, the Guanacos Camp, to make a cache for our future move. The team took a short walk to stretch the legs and now are enjoying a siesta before dinner.
Buenas Tardes,
RMI Guide Jake Beren
SIR WALTER GLOVER: Great weather forecast for the climb! Godspeed and have fun! Dan & Deb Meno
Posted by: Dan Meno on 1/11/2012 at 10:51 am
bryan!!! i am sooo happy to be able to hear your voice!!! hang in there!! you are my superman!! i love you.. prayers and wishes from everyone here….good luck!!!!!
Posted by: wiyanna on 1/11/2012 at 10:45 am
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