Eleven climbers and three guides began a new Aconcagua adventure yesterday. They left Mendoza well rested and well fed (thanks to the combination of the Park Hyatt's luxuries, Argentinian steak and plenty of Malbec red wine). A solid group, as you can see in the pictures, they heades towards Los Penitentes yesterday and began the hike in today. Los Penitentes is a small ski resort, used in summer as starting point for Aconcagua expeditions. The altitude is 8,860 ft. The three-day hike in ends in base camp Plaza Argentina (13,780 ft).The leading guide is Mike Bradley, a seasoned guide based in Colorado. Augusto Ortega (from Perú, with just 53 Aconcagua summits!) and local credit Eliana Caamaño complete the guiding team. The climbers are: Trent Evink, Jeff Westerfield, Crl Linden, Zaheer Carolia, Alison Spencer, Warren Hynes, Ryan Crago, Amalia Franceschini, Richard "Dick" Field, Wui Kin Chin and Matthew Gabriele.
I will be updating information as these guys call me from their sat phone. Greetings from Mendoza! (37 Celcius degrees and so dry).
Nicolás García
AP Mendoza
