http://www.loupy.com/archives/27 The personal site for Louis Parks Sat, 07 Apr 2007 03:53:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.loupy.com/archives/27/comment-page-1#comment-49 Checkpoint Tango » Aconcagua Recap: Days 12 - 16 Camp 2 Sat, 07 Apr 2007 03:53:03 +0000 http://www.loupy.com/archives/27#comment-49 [...] The climb out of Camp 2 to Camp 3 was very steep and passed through several snow fields. We were carrying our ice axes and crampons (also known as Glacial Sandals) in hopes of leaving them in the stash at Camp 3. However, there was a very real possibility we might encounter snow or ice on the way up and have to use them. The sun never broke through the clouds and the wind started to blow as we climbed. It was time to switch to some more heavy duty gear. Along with most of the rest of the team I broke out the balaclava, ski goggles and a Gore-Tex jacket.  Up to this point Icebreaker jumpers and occasionally a soft shell jacket had kept me warm and protected from the elements.  Our guide Mark sat on the steep slope we were climbing watching us all bundle up.  He was practically naked in a baseball hat and a pair of rappelling gloves compared to the rest of us. The group stretched out as we hiked to Camp 3 and I was definitely tired but I felt really good. I had now climbed higher than ever before and with each step I was setting a personal best. We went through the ritual “rock party” of dumping the gear in a mound and collecting rocks to pile on top to keep it from blowing away. From this location was also the first time we could see the Northwest face of the mountain having approached and climbed on the East face up to this point. We were able to look straight down the Ruta Normal and see the congestion of the far more popular but much less scenic route. [...] [...] The climb out of Camp 2 to Camp 3 was very steep and passed through several snow fields. We were carrying our ice axes and crampons (also known as Glacial Sandals) in hopes of leaving them in the stash at Camp 3. However, there was a very real possibility we might encounter snow or ice on the way up and have to use them. The sun never broke through the clouds and the wind started to blow as we climbed. It was time to switch to some more heavy duty gear. Along with most of the rest of the team I broke out the balaclava, ski goggles and a Gore-Tex jacket.  Up to this point Icebreaker jumpers and occasionally a soft shell jacket had kept me warm and protected from the elements.  Our guide Mark sat on the steep slope we were climbing watching us all bundle up.  He was practically naked in a baseball hat and a pair of rappelling gloves compared to the rest of us. The group stretched out as we hiked to Camp 3 and I was definitely tired but I felt really good. I had now climbed higher than ever before and with each step I was setting a personal best. We went through the ritual “rock party” of dumping the gear in a mound and collecting rocks to pile on top to keep it from blowing away. From this location was also the first time we could see the Northwest face of the mountain having approached and climbed on the East face up to this point. We were able to look straight down the Ruta Normal and see the congestion of the far more popular but much less scenic route. [...]

]]> http://www.loupy.com/archives/27/comment-page-1#comment-46 MllrSus Sun, 18 Mar 2007 04:08:37 +0000 http://www.loupy.com/archives/27#comment-46 This was among my favorite entries (though I have been glued to every one so far and excepting one day have always read them the moment I see them in my in box) I giggled and laughed through the whole thing.... up until the part about finding a new hotel. Your description of the glacier hike was thrilling and witty (nice juxtaposition of those two emotions, by the way) Should I ever find my way to El Calafate, I think I'll sissy my way out of the 10 hour hike in favor of the less rigorous one. ("Pussies" is actually on my list of unliked words, and I have also added "crampon" in both agreement and solidarity) Also loved the new additions to the travel lessons and best practices. I feel like I'm ready to take on the world myself with these vicariously gleened gems. Sorry for the prolific comment today. I finished my grueling and tortuous winter quarter today and am experiencing great time luxuries. Looking forwar to hearing about the upcoming hike. Glad you got in some conditioning. Take care of those throats!!! (and thanks for not posting pictures of that - well, actually I haven't looked at all of this installment's photos yet, so perhaps that gratitude is premature) Take care and take care! Smiles from Susan!! This was among my favorite entries (though I have been glued to every one so far and excepting one day have always read them the moment I see them in my in box) I giggled and laughed through the whole thing…. up until the part about finding a new hotel. Your description of the glacier hike was thrilling and witty (nice juxtaposition of those two emotions, by the way) Should I ever find my way to El Calafate, I think I’ll sissy my way out of the 10 hour hike in favor of the less rigorous one. (“Pussies” is actually on my list of unliked words, and I have also added “crampon” in both agreement and solidarity) Also loved the new additions to the travel lessons and best practices. I feel like I’m ready to take on the world myself with these vicariously gleened gems. Sorry for the prolific comment today. I finished my grueling and tortuous winter quarter today and am experiencing great time luxuries. Looking forwar to hearing about the upcoming hike. Glad you got in some conditioning. Take care of those throats!!! (and thanks for not posting pictures of that – well, actually I haven’t looked at all of this installment’s photos yet, so perhaps that gratitude is premature) Take care and take care!
Smiles from Susan!!

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