| Departure Date: 28 Dec 2007 Approx. Return Date: 20 Jan 2008 Mountain: Aconcagua Location: Argentina Elevation: 22,841 feet (6962m) Route: False Polish Glacier |
| One month before departing to climb Mt. Aconcagua, my father was diagnosed with a treatable but incurable form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. I decided that I would dedicate this climb to my father, and after talking to my teammates, we agreed to use our climb to raise awareness of this and other life-threatening diseases, while raising money for lymphoma research and education. Our expedition is self-funded, so all the donations we receive will go to the Lymphoma Research Foundation. My father will be undergoing chemotherapy while we are on the mountain, so while our struggles to summit may seem monumental, they pale in comparison to the strength and fortitude it takes any individual to fight this disease. God bless, and thank you for your interest in our climb. -Jeff Armentrout |
Video Clips
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| Climbing to cure lymphoma |
| Click on the thumbnail to view a map of the climbing route |
| Aconcagua Summit Video (not us) |
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| Planned Itinerary: December 28 (Day 1 - Friday): Travel to Santiago December 29 (Day 2 - Saturday): Travel to Mendoza Arrive in Mendoza. Check in at hotel and sort gear and do some shopping. December 30 (Day 3 - Sunday): Get climbing permits at SUBSECRETARÍA DE TURISMO. Get last minute items and take van to Penitentes noon stop in Uspallata, have lunch in a restaurant. (2,400m / 7,875’), place at the mountain near Puente del Inca (Inca Bridge). Lodging in Hotel. December 31 (Day 4 - Monday): Breakfast at hotel. Van to the entrance of Aconcagua Park at Punta de Vacas, where the mule carriers load the equipment on the mules. Trek from 4 to 5 hours up to the camp Pampa de Leñas (2,950m / 9,675’). This is where we present our permits to the park rangers. Pitch tents. Call home at midnight!!! January 1 (Day 5 - Tuesday): Up early, prepare equipment again to be transported by the mules. Trek through the Quebrada de Vacas, for 6 to 7 hours near the Quebrada de Relinchos Stream. Camp at Casa de Piedras (3,240m / 10,625’) in sight of Big A. January 2 (Day 6 – Wednesday): Base Camp Up early, prepare equipment again to be transported by the mules. Trek for 5 to 6 hours, along the Relincho Stream and ascending the steep slope of the same name. Continue to Plaza Argentina (4,200 m / 13,775’). January 3 (Day 7 – Thursday): Rest day. Recommend taking a short hike to higher altitude. Visit ranger station for brief physical. January 4 (Day 8 – Friday): High altitude gear organization. Carry load to camp 1 (4,900m / 16,075’) Eat lunch then back to base camp. January 5 (Day 9 – Saturday): Rest day. Recommend taking a short hike to higher altitude. January 6 (Day 10 – Sunday): Camp 1 Move to camp 1. Pack a lunch to eat on the go even though the climb should not be more than 4 or 5 hours. January 7 (Day 11 – Monday): Carry load for 7 hours to camp 2 (5,700m / 18,695’) and back to camp 1. January 8 (Day 12 – Tuesday): Rest day in camp 1 January 9 (Day 13 – Wednesday): Camp 2 Move to camp 2. January 10 (Day 14 – Thursday): Rest day in camp 2. January 11 (Day 15 – Friday): Carry whole load to White Rocks (5,900m / 19,350’) and set up camp there. January 12 (Day 16 – Saturday): SUMMIT DAY (or rest) January 13 (Day 17 – Sunday): SUMMIT DAY January 14 (Day 18 – Monday): SUMMIT DAY Contingency January 15 (Day 19 – Tuesday): Descend from White Rocks to Plaza de Mulas (or PA). January 16 (Day 20 – Wednesday): Up not-so-early, prepare equipment again to be transported by the mules and have a large breakfast. Trek from Plaza de Mulas to Penitentes. Meet van for trip to Mendoza. January 17 (Day 21 – Thursday): Extra day January 18 (Day 22 – Friday): Extra day January 19 (Day 23 – Saturday): fly home |