First Cache

Steve and Ben on the way back from Camp Canada - Camp is behind triangular rock

Steve, Ben and I made our first cache today, carrting gear to Camp Canada at 16,600 ft (5,050m), before returning to Base Camp to sleep.  The infamous Vientes Blancas (White Winds) were blowing witth gusts at 30 mph (45 kph) or more, making the going cold and slow.  The Weatther has been clear mixed on-and-off with snow squalls every day.  The past several nights have been clear with temperatures between 10 and 15 deg F in the morning.

The T-Town Andinistas in Base Camp

Rich and Brad arrived at Base Camp Sunday evening after spending an additional day in Confluencia.  They made the trek by sheer will as neither of them had been eating much due to effects of the elevated altitude. With no improvement in sight and continuingly diminishing energy stores, they made the decision to return to <mendoza - they started the trek back as we set out to Camp Canada this morning.

Tomorrow is a rest and preparation day, and Thursday we will go to Camp Canada for the second time.  After camping there Thursday night, we will cache gear at two successively higher camps while sleeping at the lower camps.  At present, the anticipated date for our summit bid is 1/11/11, though that is subject to change.  Of course, while we are high on the moountain, there will be no posts