Aconcagua Expedition Dispatch

January 26, 2008 – Snowfall as Team Arrives at Plaza de Mulas

It’s about 3:00 in the afternoon, and I am calling your from Plaza De Mulas. The team has arrived at our base camp at 4300 meters and I'm looking across at our bright Berg Adventures North Face tents, large dining and storage tents. A lot of different things to see here at camp. Even more mules. There is a lot of snow falling on Plaza de Mulas today. The mountain changes its moods through the day from sunny to cloudy, sometimes windy and we are getting ourselves prepared.

There are 10 of us climbers and plus, as you know, our Berg Bolivian guides: Oswaldo, Nelson, Simon and Juancho. We have done a lot of gear organizing today, checking out our crampons and ice axes, tried out our down jackets which actually feel quiet good here this afternoon.

Just so you know, we phoned to Mendoza and Opus and Claire arrived just on schedule. They made it up to Puente last night and we already heard they passed through the Confluencia camp just below us. So they are on their way to join us.

Line Jacques went down and visited with the physicians here who work for the National Park. She introduced herself. They were glad to know they had a Canadian doctor among them and she was very impressed with their abilities and their manner.

We are going to be continuing to watch our health. Leila always takes pulse oximeter readings on all of our team members every trip. She has continued to do that, and her report is that everyone is looking remarkably good for our first night at 4,300 meters.

Watch our adventure as we climb up high as we head for the summit.