Podcast Series: 7 Summits Episode 9–Aconcagua with Garrett Madison & Ed Vesturs Interview
Welcome to my limited series on climbing the Seven Summits. For eight weeks, I’ll drop a new episode discussing one of the 7 Summits in detail. Today is Episode 9, Acocangua with special guests Garret Madison and Ed Viesturs.
Next week, I wrap up this series with an Everest episode and special guests Adrian Ballinger, founder of Alpenglow and Mike Hammill, founder of Climbing the Seven Summits. #7summits
Aconcagua is the highest peak in South America, at 22,902/6960m. It is an excellent warmup before climbing Everest, testing your fitness at altitude and thoroughly testing your gear in harsh conditions. It’s a cold peak and an excellent cultural experience.
Garrett Madison & Ed Vesturs Interview
I managed to nab these two legends to discuss Aconcagua and other mountaineering topics.
Ed guided Ryan, my 19-year-old Summit Coach client, who summited Everest in style this year, up Aconcagua as he prepared for his climb. Obviously, Ed is a wealth of mountaineering knowledge, so we discussed Acocangua, common climbing mistakes, and, of course, Everest, as well as finding Sandy Irvine’s foot in his boot this year.
Garrett is well known as the founder and owner of Madison Mountaineering. He will be on Everest for his hopefully 15th summit, tying Dave Hahn for the second-most summits by a non-Sherpaa. Kenton Cool has the title at 18. Garrett also recently summited Carystensz after a five-year break when the government closed the peak due to violence in the area. He gives us a quick update on that.
Episodes will drop each week:
September 15: Introduction
September 22: Mt. Kosciuszko, Australia – 7,310/2228m
September 29: Mt. Blanc, France/Italy – 15,771’/4807m
October 6: Vinson, Antarctica – 16,067/4897m
October 13: Carstensz Pyramid (Puncak Jaya), New Guinea – 16,023/4884m
October 20: Elbrus, Russia – 18,513/5642m
October 27: Kilimanjaro, Africa – 19,340/5896m
November 3: Denali, Alaska – 20,320/6194m
November 10: Aconcagua, Argentina – 22,902/6960m
November 17: Everest, Nepal/Tibet – 29,035/8850m
Aconcagua Update: Homeward Bound?
Wow, what a long strange journey … since the summit! As I write this, I just cleared security and customs at the Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport after standing in place for over 5 hours. And I mean not moving. It seems that the problem was that 50 people missed their flight the previous day […]
Aconcagua Audio Dispatch: Summit Report
Alan describes the team’s summit success in extreme high winds and brutally cold temperatures. To hear this Aconcagua 2008 audio dispatch, no just click on the play button. Thanks for listening and following me on The Road Back to Mt. Everest: Memories are Everything. This is about more than just climbing mountains…. Climb On! Alan […]
Alan summits Aconcagua
Alan reports that the team made the summit (22, 841′) this morning at 11:45 a.m. local time where it is currently very cold and windy. His sat phone battery is low so he will be unable to leave an audio dispatch at this time. Congratulations to the team on a successful summit! Remember…Memories are Everything
Aconcagua Audio Dispatch: At Camp 2 – Summit Ready
Alan describes the team’s preparation for the summit push from to Camp 2 later tonight. To hear this Aconcagua 2008 audio dispatch, just click on the play button.Thanks for listening and following Alan on The Road Back to Mt. Everest: Memories are Everything. This is about more than just climbing mountains…. Climb On! Alan
Aconcagua Audio Dispatch: Big Winds Coming!
Alan describes the team’s carry to Camp 2 and some serious weather forecasts that will impact their summit plans. To hear this Aconcagua 2008 audio dispatch, hospital just click on the play button. Thanks for listening and following me on The Road Back to Mt. Everest: Memories are Everything. This is about more than just […]
Aconcagua Audio Dispatch: Camp 1 Established
Alan describes the carry to Camp 1 and how the team is doing. To hear this Aconcagua 2008 audio dispatch, just click on the play button. Thanks for listening and following me on The Road Back to Mt. Everest: Memories are Everything. This is about more than just climbing mountains…. Climb On! Alan
Aconcagua Audio Dispatch: Arrived at Base Camp
The team is at Base Camp after a 3 day trek through the Vacas Valley. To hear this Aconcagua 2008 audio dispatch, look just click on the play button. Thanks for listening and following Alan on The Road Back to Mt. Everest: Memories are Everything. This is about more than just climbing mountains…. Climb On! […]
Mendoza
Aconcagua – The Stone Sentinel
The snow was blowing sideways as the temperature flirted with 10 F. The drifts were small but the ground was covered with a lite blanket of white. I stepped gingerly outside my protection to find it icy and dangerous. With that I scurried back into the garage and into the car for the drive to […]