This is want it looked like at 5am ... we had perfect weather but no moon. We had a fairly tough time finding our way up the valley following Fredrico's footprints and the occasional cairn...we got a bit freaked out when we tackled the first technical section in the dark without realizing we were very close to a vertical chute sans crampons. Needless to say we promptly put them on after that.
Seeing the sun rise around 7:30am was AWESOME...we knew we were climbing but had no idea what was surround us and particularly was "was" or "was not" below us...sometimes ignorance is bless ;)
Sadly we were a bit too sketched out and buggered to take any pics until we reached the col at 5200m/17000ft at about 10am...we were about 30min behind schedule.
Looking back from the col down the valley we´d climbed up in the dark...thats about 800m or 2800ft vertical drop but the pic makes it seem so close :(
We sat down to enjoy the amazing views and decide whether we´d attempt the shorter (5400m/17,700ft) Villicintes or the higher non-technical Plata at 6000-6300m/20,000ft-21000ft depending on which map you believed :) After seeing the route up Villecentes it was a pretty easy decision...I am sure in the summer it would be fun but in winter it was WAY too much adventure for us :)
A view down to the col and the ridge that continues on to Villecentes
A better shot of Villecentes but you don´t get to see how sketchy it gets near the top...
That is Aconcagua in the background. Those sheer rock faces on the Penitentites in the foreground are about 600m/2000ft high to give you some sense of scale.
A closer look at the South Wall of Aconcagua
Hunter was busy working out how he was going to climb up that the next time he comes down this way - and "yes" he is serious ;)
More to come...I am getting hungry :)
2 comments:
Hi Neal,
Great Photos and Blog - Keep them coming.
At that altitude the experience would be mighty and I am sure the debrief would be interesting!?!
Hope you have been shopping - warm sleeping bag and a new pot.
Hunter is worth his weight in gold or possbly vino tinto!!.
To both of you Well Done - Rest - Eat and sleep
Love Mum
Hey guys,
It sounds like you all had a great trip up to Salto Algo and beyond, and I am glad to finally hear after a few days of silence that you both made it back alive. Glad to see that Hunter has kept his cooking-in-the-wild skills alive, and that he hasn't let himself go too much. :) Enjoy some good rest and South American wine!
Adios,
Michelle
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