Aconcagua 2004 Dispatches

Dispatch One: Final Meeting and Gear Check Like all climbs, the amount of time spent in preparation is nearly as equal or in some instances much greater than the time involved in the climb itself. This being my first real expedition, our team has spent a great deal of time coordinating all facets of the trip from logistics, to gear to routes. Early on we decided that I would handle logistics, Andy Politz would handle gear and Chris Simmons would handle routes.  Check here for the full dispatch.

Dispatch Two: Hello from Mendoza, Argentina. Our trip over was uneventful. We were fortunate enough to take the drive from Sanitago Chile where we landed to Mendoza-a 7 hour drive that had over 2 miles of elevation gain. The views were spectacular and we were able to catch a glimspe of Acocnagua. The weather was beautiful and the summit sun swept. Our logistics guy ¨Ricardo¨reports that it has not rained in 5 months in Mendoza so we anticipate rather dry conditions on the mountain. Its either that or it is going to rain for the entire trip!!!! I am hoping for the former vs. the later. Check here for the full dispatch.

Dispatch Three:  Andy Politz with a dispatch from Puente Del Inca. “We are gonna walk in here today, the weather is absolutely beautiful.  We understand that Argentina hasn’t had, or at least Mendoza, has not had any rain for five months. (Five months!)  But apparently there’s plenty of snow high up on the mountain.  The weather’s perfect. Check here for the full dispatch.

Dispatch Four: This is Andy Politz again... Check here

Dispatch Five: Saturday, January 10, 2004 We just found out today that our dispatch of two days ago was unsuccessful, and I was voted to correct that mistake and write today's entry. Check here for the full dispatch.

Dispatch Six: Andy Politz, the Refugio at Plaza de Mulas: There is a large team from Siberia here. One members of the team was on Everest beside us in 2001 Mallory and Irvine trip. One of his team died in a rescue we were involved in on the summit ridge there. It is nice to see him again. Their team is kind, strong, humble and fine, fine people to be climbing along side of. Check here for the full dispatch.

Dispatch Seven: Aconcagua 2004 Hello from basecamp. Matt Brennan reporting from 14,350. We are set to move to the summit ridge tomorrow. Check here for the full dispatch.

Dispatch Eight: We Got Spanked! Check here for the full dispatch.

Dispatch Nine:  18 January 2004: I actually woke up at 11:58pm, desperately needing to urinate.  But I had already given Matt my only water bottle, so I tried to rest for the next hour, eyes closed, bladder clenched, until my watch alarm sounded from the ceiling of the tent. Check here for the full dispatch.

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