CTSS Team, Author at Climbing the Seven Summits

Aconcagua Team Moves to Camp 2

It’s been a windy few days for our climbers on Aconagua, but our team is now officially en route to Camp 2! The wind thwarted a carry day to Camp 2 earlier in the week, but the team stayed positive and persistent. That focus has paid off, and the winds are abating, which is good news all around.

Here’s the team a few days ago at Camp 1.

by CTSS Team

Updates from Plaza Argentina Base Camp

It’s been a busy weekend for our Aconcagua team climbers! Yesterday, they had a successful carry to Camp 1 (16,400 ft / 5,000m). Today, they are resting at Base Camp (13,840 ft / 4,218m) before making their official move to Camp 1 tomorrow.

Here are a few images of the team during their carry to Camp 1:

by CTSS Team

CTSS Team Reaches Plaza Argentina Base Camp

Good news coming in from our Aconagua team today: they’ve officially made it to Plaza Argentina Base Camp! Tomorrow, the team will take a much-deserved rest day before starting their rotations on the upper mountain. Here are a few photos of the team:

Also on Aconcagua, we have one Speed Ascender who just landed in Mendoza and will be flying into Plaza Argentina Base Camp tomorrow to join the rest of the team. If you’re interested in learning more about our Speed Aacent programs, check out our latest webinar:

by CTSS Team

Aconcagua Team Arrives at Casa de Piedra

Today was the second day of mule-assisted day hiking for our Aconcagua team climbers. Our guides checked in with us earlier, and the crew has made it to Casa de Piedra, which is a major milestone. Below are a few photos of the team:

Tomorrow, they have one more day of mule-assisted trekking and should arrive at Plaza Argentina Base Camp. After that, the altitude will really be kicking in, and the team will start rotations on the upper mountain to ensure everyone continues to acclimatize properly. Here is a look at the upper mountain:

Note: Plaza Argentina Base Camp is not pictured since the team is taking on the 360 Route, which wraps itself around the entire mountain. This first Base Camp is to the left of Camp 1 and slightly off our screens. Plaza de Mulas will be our team’s Base Camp during their descent only.

by CTSS Team

Aconcagua Team En Route To Plaza Argentina Base Camp

Our Aconcagua team climbers officially started their trek and climb today! Today, they made their way to Pampa de Leñas, their first of many tented camps on the way to the Roof of the Americas!

Below are a few photos from the team as they departed from Puente del Inca and started trekking up the Vacas Valley.

In Ecuador, our Chimborazo climbers were reminded that the mountain and its weather are always in charge. The team did not make an attempt to summit Chimborazo because the snow conditions were deemed too unsafe. We recognize and understand what a hard moment this can be for our climbers and our guides, but we are stoked to know that everyone made it to High Camp and got to experience one more night on the mountain. They will return to Quite today before departing for more adventures or homeward bound.

by CTSS Team

Onwards to Chimborazo and the Galápagos

A quick update for today!

Our climbers in Mendoza enjoyed a team dinner last night (photo below). Today, they picked up their climbing permits from Parque Provincial Aconcagua and made their way to Puente del Inca. Over the next three days, they will trek to Plaza Argentina Base Camp, assisted by mules carrying their gear. We employ a very conservative acclimatization schedule for our Aconcagua climbers as they make their way up in elevation to Base Camp, which sits at approximately 4,200 meters (13,780 to 13,800 feet).

And in Ecuador, all but one climber turned their attention to Chimborazo today. This additional peak is an add-on climb available to all climbers and a great way to make the most of your acclimatization and work already put in. The team will get into place at our tented Base Camp before dialing in their summit window in the next day or two.

But, for that one climber who isn’t joining us on Chimborazo, they have something else pretty magical up their sleeve… our signature Galápagos Islands Add-On! This extension is one of our favorite ways to celebrate success in the mountains and tick off a bucket-list trip, all while walking in the footsteps of Charles Darwin. We look forward to hearing more about the island’s famous seafaring marine iguanas, equator-dwelling Galapagos penguins, and massive, long-lived giant tortoises!

Galápagos Islands Sneak Peek:

by CTSS Team

Aconcagua Climbers Meet in Mendoza

Our Ecuador Volcanoes team got into position on Cayambe (18,996 feet), which was their second objective of the expedition. News from CTSS Guide Ty Sauerbrey came in that the team decided to turn around at 17,000 feet because of avalanche risk on the high-mountain. We commend the team on making this difficult decision and for understanding that safety is always our top priority on any climb. The team is now resting easy at Termas de Papallacta’s natural hot springs, and they are happy that a conservative decision was made on Cayabme.

Six climbers from this team will tack on a third objective, Chimborazo (20,548 feet), an Add-On climb available to all climbers. Here’s a peek at what their itinerary will look like for the rest of this expedition:

Drive to Quito and enjoy a celebration dinner
Drive to Chimborazo and hike to High Camp
Summit Chimborazo and return to Quito
Departure Day

Also in South America, our next Aconcagua team is on the ground and gearing up for an incredible expedition. Today, they are doing gear checks and a team briefing with their guides, followed by a team dinner tonight. Tomorrow, they will get their climbing permits and then head to Puente del Inca for one more cozy hotel night before hitting the trail to Plaza Argentina Base Camp.

Photos below from our Ecuador Team:

by CTSS Team

Cotopaxi Summits for CTSS Team

We had some big summit success today on Cotopaxi! The team didn’t exactly have an alpine start; they opted for an 11pm wake-up, a 12am departure, and by 6:30am the team was standing on the summit of Cotopaxi.

A massive congratulations goes out to:

Diego A.L.
Jessica S.
Thomas M
Blake H.
Ched L.

CTSS Guide Ty Sauerbrey let us know that the winds were low, the sunshine was plentiful for the hike down, and it was a perfect summit day!

Photos courtesy of Ty:

by CTSS Team

Ponchos on Cotopaxi for Ecuador Volcanoes Team

On Aconcagua, all climbers have returned to Mendoza. Some opted for a helicopter exit, while others completed the entire trek from Plaza de Mulas Base Camp to Puente del Inca. CTSS Guide Mike King shared this update with our team: “The remaining 5 had a great walkout, which isn’t always the case on that day. They made a safe ‘race’ of wanting to do it in 6 hours, and they laughed & talked the whole way.”

And also in South America, our Ecuador Volcanoes team is having a great time, as reported by CTSS Guide Ty Sauerbrey. The weather was giving the team a fierce go of it today, but everyone stayed in good spirits even while out training on the mountain. Ty shared that he convinced everyone to wear their ponchos to dinner, which no doubt raised the group’s energy and vibe. This is the type of stuff we LOVE about being on expedition.

Tomorrow, the team will sleep in and rest in the morning before starting their Cotopaxi summit bid tomorrow night. Thank you to Ty for sharing these photos:

by CTSS Team

Ecuador Team Acclimatizes on Rumiñahui Central

A quick update from our team in Ecuador. Climbers had a successful hike to the summit of Rumiñahui Central, with nearly all climbers hitting the summit. After they wrapped that hike, they made their way to the base of Cotopaxi (19,347 ft) and up to the Refugio José Rivas. From there, the team will do a training session on the mountain before taking aim at the summit.

Photos from the CTSS Archives