Aconcagua Expedition Dispatch
December 26, 2012 – Christmastime Departure for Argentina
It is midsummer in sunny Mendoza, Argentina. On Christmas day here there was a remarkable high temperature of 44 degrees C!
I departed Calgary early on Christmas morning, where the temperature was 27 below C. Neil, left wintertime Vancouver on the same day. Dan had a brief vacation in Buenos Aires with his family prior to joining us here in Mendoza.
Our first night together in South America we went to one of Argentina’s finest restaurant, “1884”, located in an old winery and operated by Argentina’s celebrity chef, Frances Mallman.
The specialty is barbeque. Mariela provided our wines for the evening, which she brought from the winery where she works. It was all perfect.
Meanwhile our Bolivian staff is busy packing our food for the mountain.
Soon we will be on our way.
I stepped off the plane in a different season – summertime! Sergio was at Mendoza’s airport to help me get the duffel bags loaded for the Hyatt Hotel. Dan was already at the Hotel and Neil arrived by 6:00PM
Mariela had made our reservations at '1884'
It is all about barbecue and clay ovens – classic Argentina cooking.
Dan, Mariela, and Neil
Looks pretty good.
The climbing team
A toast to success on Aconcagua and to great adventures together in Argentina
Francis Mallmann was at the”1884” last night to everyone’s surprise. Mallmann, South American most popular chef, famous for abandoning the fussy fine-dining scene for the more rustic style and the use of the fires in its kitchen.
Image credit: www.fireroastedcatering.com