...Aconcagua: Day 2 of the Trek...
Our Aconcagua teams are at their final camp Casa de Piedra (meaning ‘House of the Rock’) on their trek into Base Camp which they'll reach tomorrow. From there, they'll start their ascent of the mountain.
It's been incredibly hot and sunny with Mike says it's the hottest trek he's ever experienced in the valley. Everyone is being hyper-diligent about staying hydrated and protected from the sun.
Each night they have been enjoying Argentinan Asado (Argentinian BBQ) cooked by the muleteers under the stars - So not a bad way to start their expedition at all!
Everyone is doing great and they are all excited for the climb ahead.
Cheers
Caroline
...Aconcagua Teams on the Move...
Our two CTSS Aconcagua teams are on the move, leaving Mendoza and arriving in Penitentes today.
They're a very diverse, international group coming from all corners of the globe and already getting on like a house on fire. In fact, I could barely hear what Mike was saying on the phone amongst the cheerful laughter and banter in the background. They're all off to dinner now.
They'll have their last sleep in a proper bed tonight before they hit the trail in the morning. It's a 3-day hike into Base Camp up the Vacas Valley (which means 'cow valley' in Spanish!) enjoying stunning views of the Andes.
They will hike about 5 hours a day and gain approximately 1000 vertical feet per day.
Tomorrow they'll hug the river all the way into their first campsite; Pampa de Leans, before continuing their hike up to a campsite called Casa de Piedra (meaning 'House of the Rock') and then the following day up and into Base Camp.
The mules are carrying most of their gear, so these duffel bags might not look so clean and colourful by trip end!
I'll keep you in the loop.
Cheers
Caroline
Meeting in Mendoza for Aconcagua
Aconcagua begins in earnest with the full team and 3 of our CTSS guides arriving in Mendoza to begin their climb of South America's highest peak.
Quite a few of the team came in nice and early to get over the jetlag, meet each other, explore the city and taste some of the famous Mendoza reds, plenty more time for that post climb too!
Today is all about gear checks, briefings and logistics before heading to Penitentes tomorrow. They'll have a patchy wifi connection there and then it's up and into the mountains. They'll keep up to date with us on the satellite phone every day or two. Sometimes we go a few days without updating the blog, that's very normal so don't be alarmed. No news is good news.
Looking forward to keeping you in the loop
Cheers
Caroline
...Orizaba Summit...
Hi Everyone,
Very pleased to let you know that the team are back down safe and sound in Tlachichuca this evening after everyone enjoyed a great summit in perfect weather.
Their day started early at 4am and was a pretty windy, cold start but turned into perfect weather for them on top. Mike said the route was in the best condition he'd ever seen it.
They've had a great meal at the Servimont compound to celebrate, their first hot shower after being on the mountain for several days and are now wrapped up in bed to get a well deserved sleep before heading to Mexico city early tomorrow for their flights home.
A great trip, congratulations to the entire team,
Cheers
Caroline
...Ready for Orizaba Summit...
Hi Everyone,
The team just checked in from High Camp on Orizaba where the sun is just setting and they're settling down for a short night ahead of their summit bid tomorrow.
They'll be up at 4 am to start climbing and while it's fairly windy up there for them right now, we are hoping it blows itself out overnight and quietens down tomorrow. The snow coverage is good so it should be nice climbing. About -5 degrees with them currently
After they hit the summit, they'll drop back down to High Camp, pack up the tents, and come all the way down to the hut at the base before heading back to the regional hotel for a celebratory dinner and a well-earned beverage (or two)
The next morning it will be onward to Mexico city and their respective flights home.
Fingers crossed for a wonderful summit day tomorrow.
Cheers
Caroline
...Orizaba Acclimatization...
Hi everyone,
Great news, our Mexico climbing team have completed their acclimatization on Iztaccihuatl and today have travelled up to the mountain hut on Orizaba to begin their climb. It's a nice bumpy road so 4WD enthusiasts eat your heart out!
They're certainly having a fun adventure and in great spirits. Don't worry, it's not all rough bumpy travelling, last night they were eating fresh authentic guacamole and before that, they were staying in some pretty plush accommodation in Mexico City. To be honest, I'd say they'll be looking forward to getting some sweat on and strapping on the crampons.
Conditions are great, there is plenty of snow coverage and they've had perfect weather.
Tomorrow they will carry up to High Camp, and then move up the following day.
Carne Tacos on the menu for dinner. Yum.
The mountain you see in the photos is: Popocatepetl, an active volcano whose Aztec name means "Smoking Mountain." It's a massive stratovolcano, which towers more than 3200 m above the Valley of Mexico.
Cheers, Caroline
CTSS Team.
...Orizaba Underway...
Orizaba 2019 is underway! The team has arrived to Mexico City and we had a great day touring the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan. These Aztec Pyramids are absolutely stunning and it's amazing to finally see them in person. It was like going back in time.
Tomorrow we say goodbye to our 5 star accommodations and it's on to Ixta to acclimatize above the Paso de Cortez before descending down to the small town of Amecameca for the night. If we're lucky we'll get to see the still-active Popo billowing smoke.
All the best from Mexico.
Mike Hamill
-CTSS Owner
Take a quick look at the weavers in action...
...INCOMING...
Here they come...
Get ready to hear some stories over a nice glass of wine, our Antarctic adventurers are incoming!
The plane is in the air from Chile right now to go and collect them from Union Glacier, Antarctica and bring them back to Punta Arenas where they will land mid-morning (their time) tomorrow (the 29th)
I'd say they're all beyond ready to thaw out, do some laundry, (I envisage duffel bags with those green cartoon vapours wafting out upon opening!) put on fresh clothes, (then share some hugs) eat their favourite foods and open the dusty Christmas presents under the tree.
Everyone in the office is in overdrive to get them booked onto respective flights back home as soon as possible (if they did their travel arrangements with our agent) She's on hand if anyone needs any help, I can put you in touch.
Before I sign off, I'd like to acknowledge that yes, this trip has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster with the terrible weather and the massive delays, but sometimes the best and most challenging adventures are the toughest.
That's the definition of adventure, isn't it? It's the unpredictability of it and the sheer testing nature of it, that shapes us and helps us grow as people. It's those hard moments that we reminisce about the most later on.
I always think of this as the 'Perfect Paradox' of an adventurous life. While you are in the midst of it, you are inevitably hating it, you're cold, tired, hungry and thinking to yourself why am I doing this?!? I'd give anything to be at home curled on a couch eating snacks and watching Netflix. But then in a heartbeat, your challenge is over, you've completed your goal and you're back to your routine.
Yes, upon your return you are more appreciative for the creature comforts of home but you quickly find yourself wishing you were out there in the mountains again looking back on the rugged times, and you'll hear yourself saying "That was so much fun!!"
It's a weird dichotomy none of us can explain but it is true, and seemingly addictive.
From our point of view at CTSS, yes we're prepared for contingencies like the delays experienced on this trip in terms of supplies etc and our Guides are all qualified and have vast experience, but really that's the background stuff, the credit for dealing with the tough situations on the mountain, sits squarely with the men and women who grabbed that challenge by the horns and tackled it with the mental fortitude and positivity shown by the whole team on this trip.
Not to mention their loved ones, (Go us!) in the background who've been cheering them on with unwavering support and patience.
Here's to the New Year, full of lofty summits and beautiful bluebird days, (let's just hope the next adventure runs a bit closer to schedule eh?!)
Cheers, and best wishes,
Caroline
...Hot Shower Heaven...
Good morning everyone,
Do I have some good news for you... It seems we have some positive movement from the South, our flight partners were able to land a plane into Vinson Base Camp today and fly our adventurers back to Union Glacier where they've been having some incredibly well deserved (slightly overdue) hot showers... oh the simple things in life.
Now at Union Glacier, they will unwind with some great fresh food and await their flight back to Chile on the ilyushin.
Here's 'Cheers' to being one major step closer to seeing them soon, and I believe congratulations is in order for all, for the patience and understanding.
Best wishes,
Caroline
