Patagonia Trekkers Wrapping Up Today

February 5, 2014

: Grey Glacier viewed from the Grey II. (Tye Chapman)

: A drink chilled by the Grey Glacier. (Tye Chapman)

Phil called in from Torres del Paine National Park as he and his team loaded onto their boat, the Grey II. The Grey II takes them from their refugio right up next to the Grey Glacier where a crew member scoops up a chunk of ice. They break up the ice and use it in one of the pisco sours (or whiskey on the rocks) you’ll ever taste, a nice way to wrap up a trip.

Once ashore they’ll hop in the van for the 2 hour ride back to Puerto Natales where they’ll clean up and celebrate with a nice dinner. Tomorrow it’s back to Punta Arenas to officially start the long journey home.

As one team wraps up, another gets ready… I’ll be heading down to Patagonia in a few days for my annual trek. I’ve got a good group this year and am excited to get to know them and show them a pretty cool part of our world.

Tye Chapman

Aconcagua Team Moved To C2

February 5, 2014

Tapp called in from Camp 2 today. Another tough day in the wind and cold but they pushed through and earned their rest day tomorrow. It’s about as windy at C1 as it is at C2 so it was well worth the effort.

On the menu tonight: “rice, mushrooms, and meat”.

Down lower on the mountain is Mike Hamill’s team. Mike wrapped up one group last week and is back at it again this week. Today is day 1 for these guys on the trail. A couple more days and they’ll be at Base Camp.

Tye Chapman

Patagonia Trekkers Taking It In

February 4, 2014

: French Valley (Dustin Balderach)

: Paine Grande (Dustin Balderach)

In typical Phil fashion he hasn’t called in all that often or frankly with much content…suffice it to say he and his team are having a blast. When he did call in he said “we’re seeing more stuff than you can shake a stick at”.

Their plan today, weather permitting, was to take a kayak tour out onto Grey Lake to view the floating icebergs. Phil also wanted to let us know that they were able to see the Super Bowl – the hut they were staying at brought in a tv so the folks on the trail could watch our Seattle Seahawks win the big game.

I can’t get any photos from Phil on the trail (no service) but IMG Guide Dustin Balderach was in the park a few days ago, just missing Phil, and sent me these photos.

Tye Chapman

Aconcaua Team Carried To C2

February 4, 2014

En route to C2.

Tapp called in from today Camp 1 after he and his team got back from their carry to Camp 2. They got their butts kicked a little bit by the cold and wind today, but made it up and back without issue. They’re sipping on some hot drinks in their tents now and will likely move up to C2 tomorrow. A rest day may follow.

Tye Chapman

Aconcagua Updates

February 4, 2014

Hamill’s team having dinner in Mendoza.

Josh Tapp called in over the weekend and again on Monday. His group made a carry to Camp 1 on Sunday. The team moved to Camp 1 on Monday at 14,500. At 6pm Argentina time Â on Monday his team was already in their tents on Â a cold, windy evening but feeling well and preparing for a carry to C2 in the morning.

In Mendoza, Mike Hamillâ€™s team all met up on Monday. Tuesday they will start their journey to Los Penitentes, and then begin the trek in on Wedesday, Feb. 4.

George Dunn

Aconcagua Updates

January 31, 2014

Just outside Plaza Argentina. (Tye Chapman)

Tapp called in today from Plaza Argentina after a nice day on the trail. It’s sunny but a little breezy at camp right now. The team is busy getting tents set up and preparing for the day off tomorrow.Â Sounds like their team is between a couple different waves of other teams so they’ve pretty much got Base Camp to themselves right now, they’ll enjoy the peace and quiet. Burritos are on the menu tonight.

Our other two teams made it off the mountain yesterday without issue ; below is an email Mike Hamill sent in earlier today wrapping up the two trips.

Tye Chapman

——

From: Michael Hamill
To: Phil Ershler, Tye Chapman
Subject: Back in Mendoza
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 14:18:53 +0000

Hey Guys,

Peter may have shot you a note already but we shared a transport back to Mendoza last night and both teams are back here safe and sound. It was perfect weather for the trek out yesterday with impressive views of the South Face. We stopped in Uspallacta for a group dinner on the way back. The gang is busy doing laundry and getting cleaned up today.

Mike

Mexico Team Summits Orizaba

January 31, 2014

Orizaba (Ann Sparks)

Austin called in today to report great conditions on Orizaba. The team summitted in good form and are back down at the hut where they’ll pack up and head back to Tlachichuca for the night and then onto Mexico City tomorrow for flights home on Sunday – just in time for the Super Bowl.

Tye Chapman

Next Up: Orizaba

January 30, 2014

Piedra Grande Hut.

It’s a quick turn around for the Mexico Team…After a quick night in Puebla, the team loaded up again and headed for the hut Orizaba. Austin called in this afternoon reporting good weather and more importantly a nice forecast. They’ll head to bed in a couple hours then it’s up again at midnight for the summit bid.

We’ll get word from Austin at some point tomorrow…

That’s all for now.

Tye Chapman

Day 2 On The Trail To Aconcagua Base Camp

January 30, 2014

Some of the gear of the local cowboys at the second trekking camp. (Tye Chapman)

Tapp called in this afternoon from their second trekking camp en route to Base Camp. The team is doing great and is set to enjoy some chicken asado tonight. Their camp is set up just alongside a braided river that they’ll cross in the morning. It’s a little breezy at this camp but the views are amazing.

Their plan is to get started pretty early tomorrow so they can get to Plaza Argentina (Base Camp) early and enjoy the afternoon relaxing. The following day (Saturday) will be a rest day. They may go for a short hike but will generally be resting for the days ahead.

No word yet from the teams on their walk out today but they’re likely at the trailhead or back in Penitentes having a beer, sorting gear and waiting for their ride to Mendoza.

That’s all from Aconcagua for now.

Tye Chapman

Aconcagua Updates

January 29, 2014

Tapp’s team this morning before hitting the trail.

Hamill called in today from Plaza de Mulas to report that he and his team as well as Peter Anderson and his team all made it down to Base Camp without issue. They’ll enjoy a few creature comforts there at Base Camp – specifically some overpriced, and not so good (but good enough), pizza and maybe a glass of wine or two.Â Tomorrow they’ll put on their hiking shoes for the 18 mile walk out to the trailhead. It’s a nice walk down a mostly dry riverbed with the wind (usually) at your back. After the hike out they’ll head back to Mendoza for a shower and a late, late dinner.

On the other side of the mountain is Josh Tapp and his crew who are on day 1 of the approach hike to Plaza Argentina, Base Camp on the other side of the mountain. Tapp didn’t call in today so like we always say – no news is good news. We’ll hear from those guys tomorrow.

Tye Chapman