The team is beginning their descent down to Plaza de Mulas, almost 6,000 feet below. Everyone seems to have recovered from their hard day climbing high yesterday. Though the trail goes downhill, their packs are heavy today, and the recent snowfall will necessitate careful footing.
It snowed more last night, and today the sky and upper mountain are shrouded with clouds, but the teams who had been roughly parallel our climbers are feeling the need to head to the summit. One team is attempting to summit from Helicopter Camp, in a display of ...interesting decision making...
Everyone is feeling pretty good, and will feel better with each step downward. By the time they walk into the Plaza de Mulas Base Camp, the air at 14,300 will feel as thick as syrup. A fine steak dinner prepared by our local logistical outfitter will taste pretty good after a grueling day hiking downhill. I suspect there might be a well-deserved cold beverage or two consumed as well.
Congratulations to each and every one of the climbers. We're proud of you for doing so well and doing your best at every step of the way. That is the true reward of climbing big mountains. Finding that place within yourself where you can go to in order to keep digging deeper than we ever are required to dig during our "normal" lives.
I will post one more post tomorrow, after the team has reached the trailhead and connects with a van to take them back to Mendoza. When Chris and the team return to civilization and can get me photos from the expedition, I will post a number of images from the climb.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I hope that the trek back down is not too hard on the legs! We really look forward to seeing the photos!
The Schoemans and Boldts
Post a Comment