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Leaving BC for walk out. Comforting to look up @ mtn, see snow plumes streaming off the summit & that we are out of the storm fury.

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What a day; winds continued to escalate & forecast to reach 120kph tmr. All high camps advised to descend. A mad scramble to pack camp under such windy cold conditions but we managed to do so & have now arrived at Plaza de Mulas BC 4400m. We are safe. 30km walk out tmr then on

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After coming off summit storm not let up stuck 6000m high camp. Gale force winds. Tent taking a pounding. Pls send better weather:)

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After coming off summit storm not let up stuck 6000m high camp. Gale force winds. Tent taking a pounding. Pls send better weather:)

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David summited (final 7 Summit) @1pm, snow storm blew in quickly turning James back just 200m below summit. Now safe back at camp.

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We love
our toes; all 20 them. We headed for summit as planned; -20C; turned around @6550m as feet wouldnt warm up. Try again tmr.

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4.5hr today across punchy snow w/ loaded packs. Tiring. Arrived new camp 5970m. Head for summit 4am 18th. Get the champagne ready!

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Snowed 6hr last night increasing avalanche risk on glacier. Dwindling food supplies, traversing to west side try for 18th summit.

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Last night wind, lighting, tent frosted by cold. Hot drinks to start day. Today prep gear; assess route options; watch weather.

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Just arrvd & established C2. Awesome views from tent of polish glacier. Cold & windy. Will be long night. Rest tmr try summit 17th

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Touched C2 today w/ big load carry 8hr round trip 1000m elevation gain via steep route of endless scree. Do it all again tmr errh!

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Next 3 days: today carry C2 6100m; 15th move to C2; 16th rest day; 17th summit attempt 6962m weather/ route conditions permitting

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Rest day sucks w/o beer. Eat&drink try stay out of sun. Pasta wearing off. Flew the kite. Load carry tmr to C2 6100m edging closer

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Late start, feeling like mules today doing the slog back up to C1 w/ heavy load. Making progress though. Rest tmr to acclimatize.

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Cached @C1 now back resting BC. J crashed under kitchen tarp. Move C1 tmr. Clear skies every night. Windy but sunny days. All ok.

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Rest day acclimatizing @ BC. Traded all our gut wrenching rice for "more" pasta. Load carry tomorrow to C1 5000m. Climbing begins!

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Today cold river crossing. Awesome view of the summit/route. Arrived Base Camp 4190m. After 3 days already sick of instant rice.

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Today cold river crossing. Awesome view of the summit/route. Arrived Base Camp 4190m. After 3 days already sick of instant rice.

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2nd of 3 day 50km hike to Base Camp. Arrived Casa de Piedra 3200m. Mixed weather. Big day tomorrow 900m elevation to BC. All good.

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1st day on trail. 60kg on the mule. Condors overhead. 15km we reached Pampa de Lenas @ 2800m. 5hr tomorrow to next camp. All good.

Cerro Aconcagua : Expedition Overview (6-26 Dec 2011)

Cerro Aconcagua is located on the Argentinian and Chilean border, and is the highest peak on the South American continent. Jimmy and myself will be attempting to summit Aconcagua from the east side via the polish glacier, and then traverse over the mountain and down the west side via the normal route. To get to the base of the mountain will consist of a 3 day trek starting at Puenta de Vacas to base camp at Plaza Argentina starting on 6th December 2011. All going well we anticipate to finish the climb by 26th December. Here are a few related maps of the mountain and the route. Upon arrival at the park entrance a mule shall be joining our team to help with load carrying and posting regular updates of our progress at www.climbtheandes.com We will have a satellite phone with us throughout the climb and welcome any SMS messages by visiting http://messaging.iridium.com/ and sending SMS message to +881632564156.