Images - Argentina 2003
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Return from Camp 1, Base Camp, Attempt #2...

Gallery Intro - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

**** We left Base Camp and made 1 trip up to Camp 1 (16,500 feet) and dropped off some gear. The next day we hiked back up to Camp 1 to sleep with the rest of the food and gear. For the next 3 days marked some of the toughest conditions I have yet to face. Basically because of hurricane force winds, and blizzard conditions we could barely leave the tent to go to bathroom. The wind chill made it absolutely freezing out, so we could only stay out for 10 minutes at a time, before racing back into the tent to warm up our near frost-bit toes and fingers. The white out conditions made it very dangerous - walk 5 feet from the tent and it disappeared completely.

The other major problem was my stove - because of the wind and swirling snow/ice pellets I couldn't get it started. Melting snow was our main source of water and now the only way was to use body heat to warm a water bottle. For 3 days we ate cold dry food, and had pretty much no water (very bad, you're supposed to drink 3-6 liters a day minimum). Later on when we talked w/ the rangers - we found that at Plaza de Mulas on the other side of the mountain measured 200 kph (120mph) winds, which destroyed all of the tents. We were lucky to be spared!

This is it - Viento Blanco. The real deal, and this was only the aftermath. This picture was taken from the Gravel Pit looking West towards the summit and the Glacier. Blizzard like conditions, and wind gusts probably up in the 70/80 mph range were whipping up and down this valley. We were on our way back to Base Camp - cowering and running away (and looking for any source of water!!!)

 Here's a silhouette of Dan - one of my favorite pictures from this trip. Just before this, while bracing from one gust of ice pellets in the face - another gust caught him by surprise and sent him flying. It was like the mountain wasn't done with us yet.

 That's me, left the tent back up at Camp 1 and used the Hut. Warm food and lots of water was on the menu. We doubled up on meals, trying to bolster our bodies for our second attempt up to Camp1 once the weather got better.

 Every night and every morning the views were just beautiful. The cloud formations were just crazy - never knew what to expect.
View of the Summit during sunset. Looks like a Linticular is hanging out up top.
Camp 1 - 16,500ft. was rough for me the first time (couldn't eat anything warm, one altitude sickness symptom). But on our second attempt I felt great and gobbled up every morsel of my dinner.
Another picture of Camp 1 - You can see the rock wind screens. We had great weather this time, and we left for Camp 2 in the morning.
Dan melting snow to fill his nalgenes.
Summit Day - Here we are at 22,222ft, the highest I've ever been. We have 600 feet to go, about .11 miles. You can see the summit just above his head. Due to the altitude and a lingering infection my partner couldn't continue. So Close! The views were AMAZING.
Just look! We're on top of the World!!! Here's the view from 22,222 feet from the Normal route.
Here's me! Wohoo! I was happy to feel pretty good, maybe in a few years i'll come back to finish her off.
  you're almost free, one more gallery right his way.


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Copyright © 2004 E.Sydor