Aconcagua Expedition Dispatch

January 9, 2017 – Marten's Successful Hike and the Climbers First Trip to Camp I

Osvi phoned in with two reports from Plaza de Mulas today, one early in the morning and a second one about 6:00pm.

Time flies. Today was the day that our hiker, Marten, was scheduled to hike out and return to Mendoza. He and Sergio left early, at 730am bound to his pickup and shuttle back to Mendoza. Congratulations Marten. You are strong, a great companion and a team member. It is hard to imagine better weather! Your appreciation for the mountains and your friendship will stay with us.

By 11:30am the climbers had gone through some packing and preparation and were ready to climb higher.

We should mention at this point the weather in the high mountains always changes and Aconcagua has some of the most changeable weather in the world.

These photos do not show it but Osvi told us that not long after the team started to climb above Plaza de Mulas the winds picked up. It snowed and conditions were challenging for a while. Our equipment paid off and everyone kept climbing. By the time they reached high point, “Plaza Canada” (4,900m / 16,100ft), the weather got better again. This was our first carry to what will be our Camp I and it was very successful.

The team started down for the return trip to Base Camp, Plaza de Mulas, at 3:30pm. 5:00pm they were down and Julieta had pizza waiting in the dining room! Well deserved.