Long Exit

We celebrated with burgers, pizza and beer on the day we returned to Base Camp from Camp Colera (Camp Wrath). We felt particularly deserving since by the time we picked up our cached gear at Nido de Condores we were toiling with 60+ lb (27+ kg) packs on the lengthy, steep descent. The day - January 12, was also Ben's birthday, so we had double reason to celebrate! It appeared that Base Camp had been transformed from a sleepy backwater to a thriving boomtown on our return. Many new climbers had arrived and set up their base-of-operations - a hugh Russian team, complete with new gear, banners and loud exhortations; some Italians in the several tents next to us, and many other aspirants hailing from all corners of the earth. The afternoon was warm and fair - perfect for sorting and repacking gear in preparation for our exit the following morning.

Thursday, January 13 dawned clear, cold and relatively calm. We lit our stove and shared one last morning of huddling around the meager warmth of the white gas flame sipping coffee, eating oatmeal and discussing the day's activities. After taking down our tents and completing our packing, we lugged our two duffels each to the mule-loading area and completed our check-out chores. This consisted of having our bags weighed by the muleteers to determine what to be charged, turning in our trash to them (we were all issued numbered trash bags on our entry to the park by the Guardaparques - Rangers, on our entry), signing out with the Guardaparques and turning in our separate MF bags (explanation in subsequent post) on the way out of camp. We also said goodbyes to some good friends we had made during our two weeks in the park and on the mountain and finally headed out of Base Camp by about 10:30 hours, on the nearly 18 mile (30 km) trek to the park entrance.

Sharing the steep trail down from Base Camp with the mules

We were feeling pretty uplifted and happy with ourselves on this morning of our exodus from our successful ascent of Cerro Aconcagua, but life has a way of being sure we retain humility! So it was this morning when at the very beginning, steep & loose part of the descent from Base Camp, I slipped and fell while attempting to skirt a group of about 20 leisurely trekkers, badly turning my ankle and bruising my bum, not to mention my ego. Thankfully nothing was broken and I was able to get into the rhythm of walking/hobbling out.

Views of the majestic Horcones Valley as we hiked out with the wind at our backs

The day was glorious and we walked nearly nonstop through the massive, beautiful and majestic Horcones Valley with the wind at our backs for seven and a half ours to the park entrance. We signed out a final time with the Guardaparques (climbers are granted entrance to the park for a maximum of 20 days, subject to substantial fine), and called Emmanual - the logistics organizer at the mule camp, who picked us up and deposited us at a nearby hostel where we showered for the first time in 2+ weeks, treated ourselves to a steak dinner, and slept in beds!

Geoff, Steve and Ben ready for rest after signing out at the Park entrance

Note: This post was created on my iPhone and I don't have access to the photos on my camera. I will populate this post and others with photos at a later date.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Chile,Mendoza, Argentina