Aconcagua Expedition Dispatch

January 16, 2011 – Moving Gear to Plaza Canada

This is Osvaldo. Today was our first day to carry gear above base camp on Aconcagua. We moved to Plaza Canada at 16,175ft/4930m. Today we decided it was best for Maggie to wait at base camp as she has an upset stomach. We put her on some antibiotics, and she has been to see the doctors based at Plaza de Mulas for the climbing season. She will be checked again by the doctors before she can move higher. We agree it is best for her to stay and rest today.

The rest of us: Todd, Stuart, Sergio, Simon and I reached Plaza Canada camp in three hours climbing from Plaza de Mulas. When we arrived at Plaza Canada, the skies were still clear, but it became quite windy, which reminding us that high winds on the upper slopes of Aconcagua are very common.

When we returned to Plaza de Mulas, Todd reported that he had a mild headache. This was from climbing to a higher altitude and how the body acclimatizes. Guaranteed we will all rest well here at Plaza de Mulas tonight in preparation for our climb tomorrow.