Joe has safely returned home to Indianapolis. We trust that all of Joe’s teammates have arrived safely to their home or next travel destinations as well. Reflections and photos from the Mt. Aconcagua expedition will be posted soon; please check back in a few days. Thank you!
Joe and five of his teammates got into Mendoza just after midnight (their time) last night. The 14- mile trek back and subsequent 4+ hour car ride made for a long day. Understandably, Joe was thrilled at the thought prospect of being able to shave and take a shower after more than two weeks on [...]
The remaining four climbers from the group attempted to reach the summit today but were unable to do so. Joe’s pulse oxs have improved slightly but are still pretty low (68). He spent the day at base camp, where head guide Geoff and two more of his teammates – Ryan and Claudio – later joined [...]
Early Friday evening I received a call from Geoff, the head guide. Now I know this can’t be good. He told me, “We’re here at Camp II and we’re pretty concerned about Joe’s health. The guides have made the decision that he needs to turn around. His pulse oxs are quite low and his rhythm [...]
At just after 10 am Indy-time (just after 1 pm in Argentina), I got a satellite call. Immediately I knew that couldn’t be good: The timing is off; they should be climbing. Joe said, “We haven’t moved. We’re all sick. All five of us. Everyone has low pulse ox readings. No one is feeling well, [...]
After breaking camp, the five remaining climbers and guides moved their gear and themselves to Camp II / Nido de Condores, making camp at 17,500 feet. Phone batteries are almost dead, so I have no details on weather conditions or anything else … I was able to get a quick “Happy Valentine’s Day. I love [...]
This morning, the team became one smaller — now a group of six, as a third member of the original nine decided not to continue with the expedition. (Due to illness, exhaustion, or other, I do not have details.) The remaining climbers completed another carry of gear and food up to Camp II, (Nido de [...]
Yesterday was spent at Base Camp (Plaza de Mulas) at 14,300 feet and was dedicated toward rest, acclimatization and preparation for the next several days of hard climbing and high altitude. Although with our “lovely” satellite phone connections, it took Joe and I about seven call attempts to be able to talk for only a [...]
Saturday was spent as an acclimatization day at Plaza de Mulas. Throughout the expedition, the climbers will follow the philosophy of “climb high, sleep low” as they ascend up the mountain. Sunday followed suit, as Joe and his teammates carried gear to Camp Canada (Camp I) at 16,200 feet. From base camp at Plaza de [...]
“Don’t drink the water” is an oft-quoted phrase, but is simply an unavoidable reality in conditions when one must stay well-hydrated. Joe has experienced a bit of stomach and bowel irritation over the last couple of days but is attributing this more to adjusting to the water purification tablets than to any actual illness. Nevertheless, [...]