Headed up to Camp Two and a Half!
Well, despite some serious weather obstacles, the team has decided to move higher still! Steve called today to report that the team has decided to continue up to Camp Two and a half tomorrow, even after spending a full day in the tent yesterday, enduring “nuclear winds”. The winds were so strong, in fact, that the team considered “pulling the plug” today, particularly after a day of only leaving the tent to use the bathroom. Even boiling water was a challenge yesterday, and so staying hydrated has been a challenge for the team.
Today, the wind and snow have let up a bit though, and so the teamed shuttled some gear up to the next camp. Unfortunately, in all of this, the team’s radio has stopped working, and so the team is just able to communicate via satellite phone right now. That being said, calls are now shorter since the team is even more reliant on the phone and a functioning battery.
Right now, the team’s final opportunity to summit will be on either Friday or Saturday. Moving up to Camp Two and a half will position them perfectly for this, if the weather cooperates. Let’s hope for the best for them, and I will keep you informed, as I learn more.
– Randokitty
Please
Sending good luck, thanks for the updates.
Randokitty,
Thanks for keeping us up to date! Sending the team good vibes. Big mountains always seem to be about the weather…. hope it works out for them.
Hey Kitty,
fingers crossed for the guys up there!
Im landing in mendoza wednesday ,the 9th. which hotel the guys will be staying?
Randokitty here, for Randosteve: Thanks so much for the good wishes, guys! It sounds pretty darn hairy up at Camp Two and a half – with wind chills beneath minus 40 F. Alex, I will check on the hotel and post the details as soon as I learn them. Keep wishing the best for the team!
Well tell steve it was -20 in Pinedale this morning so he is not that far off. But atleast it is warming up durning the day here. I hope they make it.
Best of luck Steve+Team, hope you can still make it and stay safe.
Hope the weather breaks so they get a crack at the summit…this one will be well earned from the sounds of it. Good luck to the Team.
?Talked to Kim yesterday and today (Thursday) to provide weather forecasts(she calls here since I am always at the computer). I am afraid that today contact was lost, possibly due to the satellite phone battery running out, so we may not hear further reports.
I am amazed that no one has yet invented a reliable radio for these types of trips.
Surely, somewhere, there is an engineer that can make a simple reliable radio for mountain adventures.
Good luck to the team.
Great point, Canwilf! It’s concerning that the team is now solely dependent on the satellite phone. And, thanks so much for the update, Kim’s dad! The sat. phone periodically cuts out when I have been talking to the team, too (maybe something to do with the satellites?), so I’m hoping that it is still functioning well and that was all that was going on. I believe the team may have the ability to recharge the batteries, too, with some light solar panels but am unsure about this…
I guess we can only hope for the best! Should be hearing from them soon about their decision to go up or down.
– Randokitty
Alex,
Just spoke to Steve. He is at base camp. Weather was deteriorating and they had to turn back. He has asked that you email him on Tuesday. By then he will have access to email and will know definitely where he is ataying.
Good Luck
Steve’s Mom
So good news to hear the guys are safe down! Look forward to hear some stories if we meet on wednesday in Mendosa.