New Altitude record

Hi.

Yesterday we brought 15kg food each to the Camp 1 on 5000m. Went very well for me, no issues at all. This sets my new personal alt record. Funny to walk and gradually pass Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and Mont Blanc.

Today is rest day in basecamp. Extremely windy and cold, so we are lucky!! Tomorrow we finally leave BC for the high camps.

I fell good and am excited that "the real thing" now starts.

Adios
Jan

Setback for team

Hola.

bad news : We lost Inessa, Luke and Nick - who all developed HPAE and had to be flown back down. We are now 8 left. Today is a rest day - all the rest of the team did a final mediacl check today and is strong.

Hope not to have more bad enews.

I feel very good.

Jan

BASE CAMP

HI there. Greetings form basecamp. Feeling super good on 4200m, Sun shines nonstop. Waiting for tomorrow to carry 20kg food up to camp 1. Tough, but looking fwd to move on.
Super group here, and all are feeling OK. Food is fantastic and better than what I get in GVA. Just head a great Argentinian steak for lunch ;-)

If only the pee-ing wouldnt be so present. Drinking 6L a day calls for a price. Amazing, though, to have enough drinking water up here. Complete desert with no plant or tree. that makes one appreciate the basics.

Hope to be able to send more news in 2 days (another rest day in basecasmp). The we leave for higher level.

Ciao
Jan

The last Steak

Hi there.

the group is together. Young folks from all over the place.
We had a fun dinner yesterday, each killing a gigantic Argentinain Steak and a few glasses of Red.
Folks are ready and enthousiastic. Today we go to Penitentes, from there the walk starts as of tomorrow. But first, buying permits, renting missing gear and 4 hrs of drive.

My bag is still not here. Seems it arrives this afternoon. I have hardly ever crossed my fingers so much.

As of now, communication gets a bit more difficult. Next internet point is in Base camp, 4 days away.... fons dont work as of this evening.

Greetings
Jan

Mendoza

The first highlight of my trip: flight from Santiago to Mendoza. 30mins over the Andes and Aconcagua. I haven´t put a foot on those mountains, but am already so impressed. The guy next to me in the plane grew up in Mendoza and kept saying "wow" and shot one picture after another. Breathtaking
I met the guides, and take care of material this afternoon. They are relaxed. Happens all the time that bags come in late and they sort it out (he knew the lost bagage guy at LAN airlines quite well :-) ). So, i cross my fingers that the stuff, incl. UNICEF banner, will arrive tomorrow and be brought up via a Speed-Mule.

Adios,
Jan

Surprise #1 - equipment lost in flight

I arrived 1.30am in Santiago. The big backpack didnt make it - hooray. This means, all I have left is a down jacket, my mitts, a sleeping bag and my boots, plus sunglasses and googles.
Seems it only comes tomorrow afternoon to Mendoza = after we have left to Penitentes.
So, today will be "shopping day" to re-equip myself. No problems, just solutions .... I hope.

Cheers from Santiago Airport (off to Mendoza)

Jan

Fly away

sitting at airport and waiting. 1 hr delay. Sad to have left my dear AC at home - not seeing her for 3 weeks is tough. I have over 23,000 Tetanus vaccines raised for UNICEF. Looking forward now, to start.

Day 0

Bags packed with 30kg of gear. Ready to head for Mendoza (ARG) via Madrid and Santiago tomorrow morning 7am. Excited.