February 10, 2020

Summit of Aconcagua (Rikki)

Seems as though all is well down south! Rikki, Martin and crew made it down to base camp on the Horcones side today and will be in Mendoza tomorrow night. Good for them!

Robert, Leo and Nate have a strong team and are currently in C1. No issues and weather remains satisfactory.

Views in the French Valley (Jonathan)

Jonathan and team continue to enjoy the fun trekking, excellent views and good living that Patagonia provides. That trip is just pure fun.

Phil Ershler

February 8, 2020

Rikki’s Aconcagua team is at high camp today. All members are doing well, weather is reasonable, and they intend to take a summit shot Sunday morning. That’s the real important news from down south. Wish them luck. Forecast is favorable, as I mentioned.

Robert’s Aconcagua group is doing well, too. They’re through their medical checks at Aconcagua base camp and building their acclimatization foundation by climbing high and sleeping low. A carry day and a move day to each camp, with a rest thrown in as needed.

Meanwhile down in Patagonia, Jonathan and team are just having more fun than they likely imagined. Some nights in tents, some nights in huts and every day new scenery and memorable hiking. It’s just a good trip.

Send Rikki, Martin and crew good thoughts.

Phil Ershler

February 6, 2020

Things continue to move along smoothly in South America.  Robert, Nate, Leo, and team are enjoying their approach hike into base camp on Aconcagua; no issues.

Rikki, Martin, and team are now at C2 and everyone’s doing well.  Plan is to carry to C3 tomorrow. Knock on wood – they are doing exceptionally well, and it’s getting close to game day.

Jonathan and his crew are just having fun down in Patagonia. Hope he’ll be able to get a photo or two out at some point. Pretty great scenery.

Bottom line – all is good in South America.

Phil Ershler

February 4, 2020

Patagonia team’s first dinner together – Jonathan Schrock

It’s early February so it must be time for more updates from South America!  Rikki and Martin and team are working on getting in their carry to C2 and then moving up and getting camp established.  They’re doing fine.

Robert, Nate, Leo and team are about ready to head to the mountain.  They’re our fourth and final Aconcagua team for the season.  Everything’s on schedule.

Also reporting in was Jonathan from Patagonia.  His trekking team is all together now in Puerto Natales, Chile – getting ready to take off on one of the coolest treks in South America.  Torres del Paine is – simply put – spectacular.  Beautiful scenery, nice huts, and low altitude makes for just a super trip.

Everyone’s where they’re supposed to be and healthy.  Couldn’t ask for more!

Phil Ershler

January 31, 2020

Our last two Aconcagua trips for the season are underway. Rikki, Martin and crew are working their way up to base camp. All pretty straightforward and that’s just fine. We’re OK with boring! They haven’t been able to get any new photos out yet, but we’ll post the one of the team jumping in the van and heading for the trailhead. Also on Aconcagua is Robert, Nate and Leo. They’re meeting their team this weekend, basically a week behind Team 3.

Heading for the Trailhead

We should also check in with Jonathan Schrock. He stayed in South American after his Vinson trip and is picking up his Patagonia trek in a couple of days. That’ll be fun for him, as well as for the team. What can we say – all’s just fine south of the border.

Phil Ershler