Aconcagua 2009 The Trek to the Top of the Highest Mountain in the Americas

I just received another email from Matt:

We had to stay one extra day in Confluencia because Leslie got bad altitude sickness.  We had a couple contingency days though so we should be OK.  So we are one day behind the itinerary that I sent you.  Back is holding in there.  Food is terrible and stomach is rebelling.  We are all getting along well and meeting interesting people.  I am taking lots of pictures and keeping up with my journal.

Hello family and friends,

We are all sending an email as a group becauase it´s very expensive here
at 4,3000 meters-  We are at the base camp of Aconcagua, having had an 8
hour hike today-  We are all well and missing you all.  We have sent
several SPOT messages but we can´t tell if you receive them or if they go
out, so if you have not received any please don´t be worried.  It only
means that the coverage isn´t good, not that anything is wrong.  This is
our fourth day out on the trail and there are some snow flurries but so
far everything has gone smoothly and we are all well.  There are no
injuries, we hiked well today and have done so thus far.  At 4pm EST we
will stand at the webcam. You can see us if you look at
www.aconcaguanow.com

Please forward this message to anyone you think
will want to receive it, since we are only sending this to a single email
address per person.

Signing off... we love you all!!  --Leslie, Lennard, Matthew, and Paul

The ice-field immediately above base camp on the standard route.

Trek to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. Will take about 8 hours. The area is surrounded by water and large rocks that protect tents. This is the most visited camp in the park and the most popular.


It is cold on the mountain today, about 10 degrees...so similar to our lovely Asheville weather this weekend!

The group will trek to Plaza Francia, base of the south face of Mt. Aconcagua. Here, they will enjoy a delicious lunch and a spectacular view. They will return to Confluencia. This trekking is considered as part of the acclimatization process, fundamental in the expedition.

Latitude:-32.70103
Longitude:-69.9598


Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=-32.70103,-69.9598&ll=-32.70103,-69.9598&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Puente del Inca (click for info)   


The group will be taken to the entrance of the Park in a private van. There the permits will be presented and you will start with the trekking to Confluencia Camp. The equipment will be carried by mules. At arrival, you will set up your tent with your partner and will be able to rest.

GPS location Date/Time:12/30/2009 17:25:48

Latitude:-32.75847
Longitude:-69.96727

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=-32.75847,-69.96727&ll=-32.75847,-69.96727&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Click the link below to see where I am located:

Latitude:-32.82599
Longitude:-69.89614

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=-32.82599,-69.89614&ll=-32.82599,-69.89614&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Before going to Puente del Inca, the whole group will apply for the climbing permit with the guides’ assistance. They will spend the night in Puente del Inca hostel. In the afternoon, the mules are loaded and prepared for the following day.

Expedition company will be waiting for Matt & Paul to arrive at the airport to take them to the hotel. On this day, their guide will check their mountain equipment and accompany them to rent any additional items necessary for trek.

Hope you had a good day today.  I am writing as often as I can before we don´t have access day after tomorrow.  Had a relaxing day today.  We ate her in the hotel and had a good vegi sandwich.  Took a walk around town.  Beautiful trees lining all of the streets.  Sat by the pool for a while.  Lennard and Leslie got here about 6pm and we all went out for dinner.  All been sitting around jabbing.  About to go to bed. I will attempt to call sometime in the morning tomorrow if I can.  At least sometime tomorrow.