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Climbing the World to End Alzheimer's

Alpamayo 2012: Final Report

 10 Responses »
Jul 092012
 
Alpamayo 2012: Final Report

What a climb! Standing on the summit of Peru’s Alpamayo was one of the highlights of my climbing career. No, it was not the highest, most famous or deadly but it was technically challenging, physical sustaining and incredibly rewarding. It was fun, simply fun … In my normal manner for all my climbs I have added a few pages to my site to document the expedition: Alpamayo 2012 Trip Report with videos Alpamayo FAQ I think what made this climb so special was the fact that once I saw the Southwest face of Alpamayo in person, my jaw dropped. It continue reading

Alpamayo 2012: Summit Audio Dispatch

 20 Responses »
Jul 032012
 
Alpamayo 2012: Summit Audio Dispatch

I summited Alpamayo on July 3rd, > 2012 at 11:30 AM with Altitude Junkies teammates Samuli Mansikka and Mclean Smith. It was a great climb. Read the full trip report for all the details. I posted this audio dispatch after returning from the  summit using a satellite phone. Click to listen: [Audio clip: view full post to listen] These climbs are to raise Alzheimer’s awareness and $1M for research.  I lost my mom and two aunts to Alzheimer’s. Please join me to end Alzheimer’s by making a donation today. Read the details. Climb On! Alan Memories are Everything

Alpamayo 2012: Taking an Extra Day

 8 Responses »
Jul 022012
 
Alpamayo 2012: Taking an Extra Day

The winds picked up throughout the night clearing the clouds but making the summit a bit windy for an early start. Even though it has calmed now around noon we will wait until tomorrow morning for the climb. Also there seems to be more stomach issues …

Alpamayo 2012:A Beautiful View

 5 Responses »
Jun 292012
 
Alpamayo 2012:A Beautiful View

We are now on our third day at the Alpamayo Base Camp after taking a day and a half to trek here through the mountain valleys. Short spindly trees cover the area but it is the amphitheater of fluted snow covered peaks that attracts the eye.Our small Al…

Alpamayo 2012: The Simple Life of Huaraz

 4 Responses »
Jun 252012
 
Alpamayo 2012: The Simple Life of Huaraz

Hard to believe I am in Peru. The days in Lima were nice but driving up the Pacific coast on the legendary Pan American Highway was rewarding with clear views of the ocean and the sand covered stretches of coastline. We stopped for a good lunch in the costal town of Hauchu. The drive took us inland and along a narrow winding road that went from sea level to 12, 000. The views became ever more interesting as we gained altitude. The landscape turned from wind driven sand to grass and trees with the occasional corn crops. A few small continue reading

Alpamayo 2012: Leaving Lima

 6 Responses »
Jun 232012
 
Alpamayo 2012: Leaving Lima

After a couple of days in Lima, discount I leave tomorrow for Huaraz with the rest of our small team. We have 6 in total. We will drive the countryside of Peru heading north towards the gateway to the Andes Mountain, the Cordillera Blanca ranges and the city of Huraz located at 10, 000 feet. We will spend two nights there to begin our adjustment to the altitude. I have been told it will be one of the highlights of the climb as Huraz is known as a quiet spot to prepare for the high mountains. While in Lima I continue reading

Alpamayo for Alzheimer’s Begins

 15 Responses »
Jun 212012
 
Alpamayo for Alzheimer's Begins

I leave this week to climb Peru’s Alpamayo, one of the world’s most beautiful peaks in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range of the Peruvian Andes. This will be my first climbing trip to Peru. I was attracted by this climb due to the beauty of the Cordillera Blanca, the technical aspect of the summit climb and to do a serious climb in Peru. The fluted face is reminiscent of the Peruvian peak, Siula Grande, made famous in the movie Touching the Void – not a great reference if you have seen the film! 🙂 I will meet up Phil Crampton’s continue reading