End of a trip beginning of a friendship
The whole team completed their task. They went there, climbed the mountain, went up one way and down the other, came down to the tree-lined city of Mendoza (to 39,7 degrees Celcius), had a big New Year´s Eve dinner; but more important, they became a team. I saw them this morning, moving together and sharing addresses and all that.
My respect to Augusto and Rolo, for their leadership, and to Suzette, Ruth, Paul, Kaushil and Jigar (they get a...
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Summit and traverse!
Augusto and four climbers of his team made the summit of Mt Aconcagua yesterday! With an altitude of 22,834 ft, this is the highest point in the Andes range, part of the Seven Summits and the highest mountain in the World outside the Himalayas.
All the group -six climbers- reached high camp (6.000m) and is completing the Aconcagua traverse. Big achievement, and another success in a great season so far (three expeditions to the top). They are all ...
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Tomorrow is the big day
I just got a call from a happy Augusto. The team has a stronghold at High Camp, an awesome place at 6.000m of altitude (19,680 ft), and they are going for the roof of the Americas tomorrow. Everyone in this group is going to leave camp and do her or his best to get to the 22,834 ft summit, which is already an achievement. I attach a picture of High Camp, from a previous trip, and will send a dispatch tomorrow as soon as I have news. The weather f...
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Move to Camp 1
The team has reached camp 1, at 16,000ft, successfully. All of them are ok, and the weather forecast shows sunny days ahead. They will do a carry to Camp II tomorrow. I will pass the news when I hear from them again. Until then!REgards, Nicolás
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Resting at base camp
Hello to everyone. The team reached Plaza Argentina, the Vacas Valley route base camp, yesterday. Everyone was fine and hungry. They are having a rest day today. During the 3-day approach the saw the imposing East Face (picture), and got to spent time and share an asado (BBQ) with the gauchos who drive the pack mules. Plaza Argentina is a nice spot, up the Relinchos river, at almost 14,000 ft. We have our dining tents there (picture), and Diego a...
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The team left the City
Six climbers and two guides left Mendoza today, at noon. We had a nice and smooth meeting yesterday in the patio of the Park Hyatt (picture), and then went for a great dinner and some Malbec red wine.
Leading the team is Augusto Ortega, from Peru, the man who has stood more times in the summit of Aconcagua in History: I guess he´s been there 55 times. With him is Rolo Abaca, a Mendocinian Guide and Ski instructor, who is at home in our moun...
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