UPDATE: Day 4 (Jan 30) to Day 6 (Feb 1)

We've got some pretty relaxed days ahead of us now! Today, Day 4, the crew trekked from Punta de Vacas at 8,800 feet (2700 m) in altitude up to Casa de Piedra which is at 10,500 feet (3200 m) in altitude. That's an elevation increase of 1,700 feet and the trail is 11 miles (18 km) long. The weather today was gorgeous and in the mid-50's! Tonight the gang camps as Casa de Piedra, and hopefully the dinner tent will provide some delicious food!

Tomorrow, Day 5, everyone packs up bright and early in the morning to start the walk from Casa de Piedra (10,500 ft/3200 m) up to Base Camp Plaza Argentina (13,800 ft/4200 m). The trail is only 9.3 miles (15 km) but there is an elevation increase of 3,300 feet!! Double what was done on Day 4! Thankfully the weather should cooperate with another mid-50's day starting out in the morning and only cooling off to low-40's as we ascend. Perfect weather for a challenging hike! Day 5 is the normal weekly infusion day, so depending on time (and frankly motivation) there will be a needlestick at some point. Fingers crossed it goes well, and the warm weather helps with finding some veins. If the first poke doesn't go well, then I'll need to dig into some of my backup supplies! Wonder if any of the other climbers have seen someone start their own IV infusion ... ? After such a work out, I bet we get a gourmet meal coming from the dinner tent, and will wash it down with the iodine purified water! Yum!

Day 6, February 1st, is a rest day. No activity at all. Just acclimatize to the altitude, rest the muscles from the day before, and take tons of pictures!!! Another gorgeous day in terms of weather ... low 40's and sunny all day!

Check out the map below to get aquanited with the route, and take a peek at Aconcagua on Google Earth. It'll make you feel like you're really there!!

Still waiting on an update from Mountain Professionals to post to their site, but feel free to check it out anyway! There's lots fo fun information and pictures!