January 22, 2013
Vernovage Crew in Penitentes. Trailhead tomorrow!
Peter Anderson checked in from Plaza de Mulas (Base Camp) yesterday evening after pulling the plug on summit day. They woke up to some super cold temps, a good bit of fresh snow, some wind to complicate matters, and a forecast calling for ‘more of the same’. It’s always a tough decision to pull the plug on a climb, but given the conditions & forecast, it was for the best. Today they’ll relax and rest up at Plaza de Mulas. Tomorrow it’s just an 18-mile hike (yes 18 miles!) down the valley to Penitentes and then a few hours in the van to Mendoza.
Back in Penitentes right now is Greg Vernovage and his team. They spent the day putting the finishing touches on their gear and weighing the mule loads. Tomorrow they’ll head to the trailhead.
Tye Chapman