Aconcagua Expedition Dispatch

January 19, 2011 – All is Well On and Off the Mountain

Greetings from the Berg Adventures office. Osvaldo called us to report that it was quite windy at Plaza Canada last night, but the skies are clear today. The dinner Simon prepared last night was a Berg Adventures favorite—tacos with guacamole. The meal got a very high review! Todd is doing great; he’s acclimatizing well and seems really strong. He sleeps with a photo of his girlfriend Heather next to him in his tent every night. It is very romantic.

Today Osvaldo, Simon and Todd left Plaza Canada for the move to Nido de Condores camp at 18,300ft/5580m. The climb took 3 hours. Winds are even higher at Nido de Condores than they were at Plaza Canada. When the team arrived they saw that they Argentine flag which hangs over the park warden’s shelter had been destroyed by the wind overnight. Osvaldo said that they expect a windy day again tomorrow, but the forecast indicates that the weather should be better the day after tomorrow.

Meanwhile, we spoke with Mariela, our transportation coordination extraordinaire, on her cell phone this afternoon. She was driving back to Mendoza with Stuart and Maggie. The two climbers rode mules all the way from Plaza de Mulas today and now they are on their way to the Park Hyatt Hotel. When we talked with them, they were happily enjoying sandwiches in the car. They are disappointed for having to turn back from the mountain, but we congratulate them on a great effort. Stuart and Maggie are making decisions with Mariela about what they will do over the next few days. They will possibly stay in Mendoza to enjoy a few lovely wineries, but first thing is firs—they want to get to the hotel for well-deserved hot showers and a good night’s sleep.