Merry Christmas! This team has a sense of humor! Milo calls in to let us know they’ve pivoted to Copacabana, Brazil and they’ll be enjoying warm sandy beaches for a while. The team enjoyed a rest day at Camp 1 yesterday, and I’m sure imagining the warm beaches of Brazil were nice to think about…
Stephanie called in last night from Base Camp. The team spent one more day in Base Camp, resting, as they continue to give themselves the best chance to acclimatize to the new altitude of 13,800′ (4,200m). As they relaxed, Stephanie reports they enjoyed a hot breakfast, Dolce De Leche cake, and the special yoga room…
Although it’s hard to tell from Milo’s dispatch, after a rest day on Thursday the team likely moved up to Camp 1 yesterday. Camp 1 sits at 16,300′ (4,970 m). Group gear, food and fuel will already be stocked at Camp 1, so the team enjoyed light packs as they hiked up. The trail ascends…
Curtis called in yesterday to give us the report. He, Stephanie, and Jesse slept in Base Camp last night after hiking up to Camp 1. Abiding by the adage, “Climb high, sleep low,” they climbed about 2,500′ up to 16,300′ (4,970 m), where Camp 1 sits. This program will help the team acclimatize to their…
The December 20 Aconcagua Team enjoyed a scenic helicopter ride from the Horcones Valley. They had a beautiful vantage point of Aconcagua and its myriad of drainages coming off of the mountain and the many valleys surrounding it. They flew directly to Plaza Argentina Base Camp which sits at 13,800’ (4,200 m). Here they can relax…
Well, based off this dispatch, it sounds like the team is having a great time together! They passed the sat phone around in a circle and took turns naming some memorable things so far about their trip and we heard a lot of laughter in the background! There must be some inside jokes starting to…
Fermin called in the dispatch update for the December 18 Aconcagua Team last night! He reports that they are doing very well and enjoyed a lovely dinner of ravioli with a delicious meat sauce. The team was able to get a nice view of Aconcagua on their way to the Casa De Piedra camp. With…
Truly the “Roof of the Americas,” Cerro Aconcagua, at 22,841 ft. (6,962 meters) is not only the highest mountain in South America, but also the highest peak outside of Asia. Located just east of the border between Chile and Argentina, the glaciated mountain rises above a very arid environment. Approaching the mountain feels very similar…
Milo called in with the dispatch last night! The group hiked about eight miles (roughly 5 hours) up the deep Vacas Valley to their first camp at Pampas de Leñas located at about 9,000′ (2,750 m). The hike took them through high desert terrain, with scrub plants, bristly grasses and the occasional colorful chuckawalla lizard. They…
After meeting in Mendoza, Argentina, our first Aconcagua team is on their way up the trail to base camp! This family of three will be accompanied by our longtime Aconcagua guide, Fermin Avilà. Fermin has summited Aconcagua more than 30 times, and has been leading trips for Mountain Trip for the last decade. Aconcagua is…