Just got a call and Aaron is about 1-1/2 hours from Base Camp. Erik was out ahead of him, so even closer. Aaron had a bloody nose this morning and is definitely feeling the altitude, so tomorrow's rest day will be very good. He hasn't even mentioned the river crossings, so they must not have been that big of a deal.

 

To put their current elevation in perspective. The top of Mt Hood is 11,240' and Mt Rainier is 14,100'. Plaza Argentina Base Camp is 13,200'.

I got a call this morning saying they were eating lunch and it was 90 degrees. OK, at least I think that is what I heard because it was early, I was very tired, and the kids were in the middle of their early morning wrestle-athon in the background. I waited to post in hopes of getting a call tonight, but considering it is already after 11 PM there, I am assuming I won't. I will try to be a better listener for tomorrow's call!

They walked for 5 hours today and got to Pampa de Lenas a little faster than expected. The mules were described as crazy in that they wandered around camp. Also that it was kind of sad because many of them had sores. That is about all I got from our ~1 min phone call. They'd already eaten dinner (evidently they are 5 hours ahead of PST) and were about to play some cribbage before going to bed.

It sounded like Aaron was in a wind tunnel so I caught very little in our brief conversation. However, I did gather that everything went well today, travel-wise. Their bags were waiting for them and were actually in better shape than Aaron and Erik. Arriving in Santiago at 2 am and departing 5 hours later made for an uncomfortable time trying to sleep on airport benches. They got a nice cab driver who accompanied them into the permit place to help translate and within a couple hours of landing, they had their climbing permit and were on their way. I hope they get a good night sleep in their Los Penitentes hotel (which I believe is more of a hostel) tonight because they have an early morning date with some mules and a mountain.

I checked all the flights and there were no more delays, so they should have gotten into Mendoza this morning. They are now 4 hours ahead of PST. I was told I'd get a call once they got their climbing permits (they have to be careful to get there before the Siesta shut-down) and were on their way to the muleteer service. I am anxious to hear how men and baggage fared on such a long journey and will update as soon as I hear.

Because of the hefty delay in LAX, they had fewer hours in Lima, which I now understand is not a bad thing. They took a cab and spent a few hours in downtown and Aaron said the taxi ride in Lima may very well be the most dangerous thing they do on this trip. Next is Santiago for the super early morning hours, then off to Mendoza. Tomorrow is really when things are going to start happening.