Monday, January 28, 2019

Week 2: Summer Camp continues

Having a great time down here. Was initially pretty bummed about spraining my ankle on my second day here, but it's healing up nicely. It's nice getting in some fun summer camp activities - bouldering, slacklining, sport climbing, cooking, eating lots of pastries (facturas). Even got to "run" up Cerro Solo with Jason and Brian a few days ago. Now just resting a bit, before the next weather window. Hoping to get out to more mountains soon.

Photo drop:
Jason on the tyrol over the river

Layering up

Ridge traverse

Classic mountaineering
Little steep here

Fitz in the distance

Los chicos

Magical place

Cerro Solo

Post climb meal, lamb stew

Brownie @ the chocolateria

View from the chocolateria

Brian on the line

Jason the line magician

Brian warming up on a 7b+

Painting a bit here

Windy mountains


Chris and Brian full send

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Week 1: A wild ride into Patagonia

Finally made it down to Patagonia!

Some highlights of the week - 
  • Hauling two 50lb duffel bags and a backpack around airports
  • Sleeping 8 hrs over the course of 3 days of travel
  • Seeing some of the most beautiful mountains in the world
  • Spraining my ankle on the approach to climb Guillaumet :(
  • Meeting inspiring people from all over the world
  • Resting and climbing a bit in the local sport climbing/bouldering crags and the gym here

Some takeaways so far - 
  • El Calafate is the place to buy groceries and exchange USD before coming to El Chalten
  • Always wear big boots when carrying heavy loads up a mountain
  • Rest is more important than climbing sometimes
  • A positive mental attitude (stoke) is the best painkiller or honestly just good food
  • Thankful that there are some amazing and caring people out here
Next week - 

Who knows what the weather will do down here, it's looking like there may be a good window to get out to the mountains next week. I hope my ankle heals up quickly so I can get out in climb or at least go out for a long trail run. Still need to find a solid climbing partner here, but worst case I get to do some world class backpacking and scrambling :)


Photos from the trip so far:
New friends made in Buenos Aires


Driving into El Chalten

Another great idea

Barely enough gear

Distracted by the mountains = sprained ankle
Not too bad

Bouldering next to town

Food makes everything better, thanks Nick


Mountains make everything better

Chris sending the gnar

Henny making things look easy