\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.
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![](\"http:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/dispatches\/live\/images\/acnsummit.jpg\"\/)
\nI will post more images next week but for now, please enjoy the shadow of Aconcagua at sunrise
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![](\"http:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/dispatches\/live\/images\/shadow.jpg\"\/)
\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":"