Further Acclimatization: 12/17/09
Today, I climbed halfway to Camp 1 and back to base camp to help with the acclimitization process. My partners are well acclimitized already because they did some climbing in Equador before they met me in Argentina.
We discovered something unfortunate yet funny today. We purchased what we thought was white gas from a Spanish speaking local before we started our journey to base camp. Our stove started acting up and we couldn’t figure out why until today. They sold us paint thinner. This, of course, is much cheaper than white gas but at this point all we can do is laugh. It is definitely a flammable substance but not exactly what we needed. We still have 1/2 liter left of true white gas…. and 4 liters of paint thinner.
Rest Day: 12/16/09
Well, after making it here in 2 days instead of 3, I am taking a rest day at base camp. Depending on weather and energy level, I may make a push to Camp 1 tomorrow. Here on Aconcagua, there is only Camp 1, Camp 2, then the summit, as opposed to over twice as many camps on Denali.
Safe at 13,200 feet: 12/15/09
We arrived at base camp today and met the mules with our bags. Due to a map reading error, we traveled an extra 2 hours today but still made it by about 9pm (our time). Today was eventful with 4 hours of 60 mph winds as well as 5 or 6 unavoidable fast flowing stream crossings, one of which was waist deep. Tomorrow, we are taking a rest day before pushing on toward the next camp at 17,000 feet.
20 miles to Base Camp: 12/14/09
Well, we are halfway to base camp now. Will, Mike and I are planning to make it to base camp by the end of tomorrow, another 20 miles. Our bags were being carried by mules today (and will be tomorrow too). They left the camp 3 hours behind us and passed us much before the end of the day. They are amazingly strong creatures.
Behind Schedule: 12/13/09
We spent last night here at 9,000 feet. We were unable to head toward base camp yesterday or today because the tent we are renting is being delivered to us by bus later today. So we are planning to make a 3 day trek to base camp in 2 days. It is 40 miles from here to base camp.