{"id":57,"date":"2008-01-12T18:39:39","date_gmt":"2008-01-13T00:39:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/wordpress\/?p=57"},"modified":"2011-12-03T18:26:56","modified_gmt":"2011-12-04T00:26:56","slug":"aconcagua-update-homeward-bound","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/2008\/01\/12\/aconcagua-update-homeward-bound\/","title":{"rendered":"Aconcagua Update: Homeward Bound?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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 and staged a sit-down to protest. For some reason they were able to completely shut the airport down. My fellow passengers and I stood in mile long lines waiting for a peaceful conclusion to this drama. The local Argentines apologized on behalf of their country – a sincere gesture.<\/p>\n

But once the squatters were removed it was the proverbial crowd surge that took place as the doors were opened. I was genuinely worried about the small children in the 3,000+ person crowd. I was able to go with the flow and soon made it through armed security who some how did not move the squatters. Clearly, I don’t get it.
\nOK, in any event I hope to catch my flight in a hour or so which would be around 1:00AM. Ugggg
\nThe trek from BC was equal eventful. We had Moses-style windstorms that literally covered us with the small, tiny, microscopic grit that dirt can be famous for. As I have said before about Aconcagua – I have dirt where dirt should not be…
\nWe made to the last camp only to be informed that our “mule was lost” who was carrying our tents! OK, perhaps a bad joke since the mules showed up an hour later after we relaxed in the dirt for an hour – after an 8 hour trek from 14,000′. Actually it was fine since we were enjoying the “thick air” of the lower altitude.
\nSpirits were high given we had 7 of 8 summit with two (Dave and Rudy) doing the Polish Direct route. Only Dave E. did not make it but he did reach almost 5300m – a great accomplishment for the 64 year-old.
\nI was thrilled to make the summit given the cold and harsh conditions. It was excellent training for Everest – just what I had in mind. We had one member get frostbite on his big toe plus a finger. Pat was helicoptered out with a HAPE victim from another team. Pat will be fine according to Doctors in Mendoza. But it is a lesson to all that even a simple “walk-up” can be threatening to life or limb.
\n
\nI will post more images next week but for now, please enjoy the shadow of Aconcagua at sunrise
\n
\nI think I hear the call for my plane .. or maybe it is the crowd outside!!
\nRemember – Memories are Everything
\nClimb On!
\nThis is Alan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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