February 11, 2019

A Stormy Night at Camp I (Luke Reilly)

The wind is being persistent on Aconcagua.  Rob and crew have made it to Camp I at approximately 16,400′ and they’re getting a good dose of high winds but are hunkered down for the night.  The forecast is calling for the winds to start calming down tomorrow and we will hope this holds true.  Tomorrow will either be a “wake up and wait it out” kind of day or they’ll attempt a carry of equipment and food up to Camp II.  Good job to this team for staying strong and establishing camp in tougher conditions.  They’re doing well.

Luke Reilly

February 10, 2019

Rikki Dunn and team gave it the old college try today on Aconcagua but wind was not their friend. Not unusual on Aconcagua but always disappointing. Lots of work to get that close and not be able to stand on top. BUT bottom line is that everyone comes home, and everyone comes home with ten fingers and toes, and that we do it with a reasonable margin of safety. BUT… it still sucks when mother nature says no.

Until next time. (Peter Adams)

Team retreated to high camp from the beginning of the Traverse and made the decision to continue down to base camp at Plaza Mulas. I have no doubt that a rematch next season is already being planned. Dinner and drinks tomorrow evening in Mendoza. Great effort, team, and more importantly, good decision making.

Phil Ershler

February 8, 2019

Plaza Argentina BC (Robert Jantzen)

Rikki and crew took a well-deserved rest day at Camp 2 yesterday.  They’ve all been working hard to keep the train on the tracks and they’re right on schedule.  One thing that is equally as important as climbing hard on longer expeditions, is resting well too.  It’s important to let our bodies recover and get as strong and healthy as possible before going to the top.  They made a carry up to high camp today and it went well.  It’s a little breezy but nothing they can’t handle.  The plan now is to move up to high camp tomorrow around 20,000 feet and make a summit attempt on Sunday.  Let’s see if weather forecasts agree with their plan over the next 48 hours.

Down at Plaza Argentina, Robert jumped on the internet and gave me a ring.  Their entire crew arrived at basecamp as a team this afternoon and are now enjoying some of the amenities.  Tomorrow is a scheduled rest day and they will start mentally preparing for the mountain above basecamp as well as prepping group loads.  Please excuse the poor quality of the photo above and keep in mind that it was sent from 14,000 feet on the side of a mountain in Argentina.  I just figured friends and family back home would like to see it.

Luke Reilly