The team woke up in tents for the first time of the trip this morning at their first trekking/approach camp, Pampas de Lenas.  After coffee and breakfast, they broke camp, loaded their gear on the Mules, and continued the hike up the Vacas Valley towards basecamp.  They trekked up the valley for just over 5 hours to tonights camp at Casa de Piedra.  This camp sits next to the Vacas river at just over 10,000 ft at the confluence of the Relinchos valley. The camp is named for an old stone hut built by the Arriero’s at this location. From here, they’ll head up the Relinchos valley, following the river up to basecamp. This is the first time they’ve got views of Aconcagua as it dominates the view up the Relinchos.

Everyone is doing great and they are making really good time! We’ve got some pics from the team from Casa de Piedra this afternoon…

Fermin, James and Thiyag looking up the Relinchos Valley with Aconcagua in the background!

Crossing the Rio Vacas this morning.

James and Thiyag at Casa de Piedra