Aconcagua Update 1

Editor's Note: A few male members of our ward are attempting a climb to the highest peak in the Americas. These guys are sending updates of this singularly, unique journey. I'll post any updates I receive on our ward blog. I personally, can't wait to see what these guys will do for their tireless women, for allowing them to embark on a 17 day trip, and the time they will give to their children as well.

Cerro Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Americas, and the highest mountain outside Asia. It is located in the Andes mountain range, in the Argentine province of Mendoza. The summit is located about 5 kilometres from San Juan Province and 15 kilometres from the international border with Chile. It lies 112 km (70 mi) west by north of the city of Mendoza. Aconcagua is the highest peak in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres. It is one of the Seven Summits.

12/29/08
Hello, everyone.

Well, we suffered our first casualty today.

After only two days into our quest to climb the Western hemisphere´s highest peak at 22,834 feet, we learned that the mother of one of our group´s members is on the brink of passing away. Our group consists of 9 climbers, Stan Bastian, Troy Hull, Troy Yost, and Dan Gregory, all of El Dorado Hills, CA; J.P. Brazell of Sacramento, CA; Chester and Patty Gangaware of Nesquehoning, PA; and guides Roberto Flores and Miguel Ramos of Mexico City, Mexico.

We arrived in Mendoza, Argentina, today after two days of travel, and Chester called home to check on his parents. His father informed him that his mother´s doctors now give her about 24 hours to live, as her body systems are shutting down. It was thought that she would recover or at least hold on from the leukemia and pneumonia that she has been battling, but now the tide has turned for the worse. As a result, Chester will be flying home tomorrow without even setting foot on the mountain. Patty, his wife, will be continuing up the mountain with us (Chester insists she stay) and Chester will return to Argentina after his mother´s funeral. We will be here another 17 days, so when he gets back he will catch up with Patty and they can then tour some parts of South America, as well as visit a friend, Savannah Haag, who is serving a mission in neighboring Uruguay. I will really miss Chester, as he is positive influence on all the group.

On a better note, everyone seems to be healthy and in good shape. Several of our group experienced some illness prior to leaving (Troy H. - flu, Dan G. - flu, Stan B. - neck and backaches), but things seem to be resolved. It was hot today in Mendoza, probably about 92 degrees F. Reports are that temperatures are at 0 to 5 degrees F at basecamp, Plaza de Mulas (14,000 feet). It gets much colder on the upper parts of the mountain. We will be arriving at Plaza de Mulas in about 4 days after an approximate 24-mile hike in. We will be carrying daypacks with water, snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen, fleece and shell, while the heavy gear and food will be packed in by mule train. The mules will drop our gear at pre-determined sites where we will set up camps for the night. The mules will go no higher than Plaza de Mulas at 14,000 feet, at which point we will become the mules, human mules. We will set up camps at additional pre-determined sites as we climb the mountain and port our gear and food up the mountain until we reach the summit at 22,834 feet. This will all take about 15 days until we return to the lowlands around Mendoza.

I will try to keep everyone filled in on our progress up the mountain, as there is internet access at Plaza de Mulas. Someone has hooked up a computer to a satellite phone and charges about $20 for 10 minutes of web time (Spencer, maybe this is a good business opportunity for you!??!). I will log on at Plaza de Mulas to give an update when we arrive there.

Warm regards to all,

Stan Bastian