Jan 21st load carry and test!

With Lito during a break

The horns mountain, minutes before it disappeared in the fog





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Today was a harder day, nestled in between two rest days. We left base camp at 4250 to drop off a load of food at the first high camp (called camp Canada) at 4850m, about 3 hours away. This is the food we will be eating for the next week. We stopped there for lunch, then, with half empty bags now, we went further, to 5200m, to acclimatize, another nearly 2 hours.

The day started off beautiful, bright and sunny. But later the clouds closed in and then it started to snow. And then it snowed a lot! There was no visibility whatsoever, but Lito knows this mountains off by heart, he never wavered. He decided, however, that 5200m was enough, as we were getting cold (it was big, wet snow) and we went back down to base camp. I felt good the entire time. No headache, no dizziness.

Lito was really pleased. This day was a test, to see whether we could follow, and just as importantly, whether we were acclimatized. It seems we are that! So we were all in very high spirits! Summit day is planned for Monday. The long term forecast says that it will be good weather by then.








On our way back down, with an unknown porter, Jackman and Lito

Lito has permanent radio contact with all camps, so we will get whether updates as needed. You can get them too at www.aconcaguanow.com or www.refugioplazademulas.com.ar