The expedition finally took off. The 10 climbers (one person had to pospone the trip for working reasons) and 3 guides set foot in the trail today. With an excellent weather forecast for the next 5-6 days, they shouldered their light packs and began the 3 days hike in to base camp. (Mules get to do the bad part of the job, with 60 kg in their backs). They will have an "asado criollo" -Gaucho barbecue- tonight, at the Pampa de Leñas campsite. One of the climbers asked me to include their names in this dispatches, so relatives will know where their loved ones are. The climbers are: Bill Whiteman, Micheael Whiteman, Landon Robinson, Logan Robinson, Clark Kopelman, Youssef Radwan, Miriam Rack, Jon Garrood, Mathew Chernin and Phil Chernin.
As yo can see, there are three father and son teams in this trip! Which is wonderful. I attach a picture of the trail, from a previous trip.
More news as they come in from the sat phone!
Nicolás García
AP Mendoza
