Aconcagua 2015: "Its a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll" AC-DC

Day 2
"Its a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll" AC-DC

Thanks to Brad my music library is been modernized. My first song on the list is an old AC DC song that is fitting to start the climb. I hope the new songs keep my mind of the pain.

Our team has grown we now have 8 climbers lucky for me 3 additions are from Israel, Australia, and France all speak good English, Roy from Israel is now stuck with me in a 2 man tent for the next 2.5 weeks. He is a very nice guy and very accomplished climber. The Australian is a 70 year old woman that has climbed Everest and 5 of the major summits she holds the age record on several peaks. She is back for her second Attempt at Aconcagua. We also have a Brazilian film crew filming a documentary. There are 3 women, Ivy a architect from Brazil, Jen Brazil, and Lillian Australia both are doctors. No one knew each other before yesterday but is funny we have so much in common. The entire team has very experienced climbers I am the only one that hasn't been above 6000 meters 20,000 feet.

We had our safety brief last night and had to repack for the different climates. Our big bags will move on to base camp at Plaza de Mulas by mule train at 14,500 ft and we will not be seeing them for 3 days. We also picked up crampons and snow and ice gear I had to get a bigger pack and will be hauling my gear from 14500 to the top 23,000 ft dropping cashes along the way. I have 55lbs of gear and will rethink every ounce over the next few weeks.

Argentina has a siesta in the middle of the day and everything closes and restaurants reopen at 8 PM. We ended the night with a large steak. But I didn't do well converting grams to ounces because I got a 500 gram (17.5 oz) steak at midnight. They are also very proud of their Malbec wine that they serve at every meal till high camps. The only bad thing about drinking is for every ounce of alcohol you drink you have to drink 5x in water on top of the 5liters a day your going to have to drink to avoid altitude sickness.

Ready to start, nervous about how my body will handle to long days and altitude with the loads. I was told the plaza of the mules has wifi so another update may come in 3 days.

Why Met new friends with similar interest
best steak and Malbec ever

Why not 27 hours to get here