Aconcagua Expedition Dispatch
January 12, 2019 – Made It to Plaza de Mulas!
Today was (the first of several) big days on this expedition.
Rick and John did great. They walked the distance up the Playa Ancha and then up the climb known as Cuesta Branca all the way to base camp: Plaza de Mulas. They started early, 8:00 am, but they took only 8 hours to do the entire walk.
Osvi called us from Plaza de Mulas and said that the guys are resting in their tents now. We are sure that they will enjoy a great dinner prepared by our Plaza de Mulas cook, Nancy in a while.
14,400 feet is "home" for the guys now. This is Base Camp. After rest and acclimatization, it will be all uphill from here.
Checkup with the doctor at Confluencia was mandatory. John and Rick are fine and set to continue. They both passed with flying colors. Time to climb higher.
Rick taking a break at the beginning of the Playa Ancha
Hiking the Playa Ancha toward Plaza de Mulas
Climbing Cuesta Brava the last section before Plaza de Mulas.
Almost on Costa Brava
Arriving at Plaza de Mulas