Gene and Al decided to head back to Base Camp today and head out with the rest of the team tomorrow treking back to Mendoza. Each is leaving for their own reasons - and each will be missed. Gene has been my tent mate since starting the trip. We've had lots of great conversations, laughs, and backgammom games.
There is talk that the group already in Base Camp will leave today - which would mean that Gene and Al would also need to begin hiking out today (on top of their hike down from Camp 2) or they would have to rent mules. I hope the team lets Gene and Al get a good night sleep in Base Camp and they all head out together tomorrow to Mendoza.
So now it is just Sue and I along with guides Eric and Dave at Camp 2 (17,800 feet). In two days we went from a group of 11 to 4.
We are taking a rest day here at Camp 2 to re-baseline - fully hydrate and eat. Dave went down with Al and Gene and will be returning to Camp 2 later this afternoon. There are still several different options to get to the summit. Now it will depend on the weather...and how we each feel over the next few days. The plan would be to move to Camp 3 tomorrow at 19,200 feet. We have to summit by the 23rd in order to make our flights out - that gives us 5 days from today!
There is talk that the group already in Base Camp will leave today - which would mean that Gene and Al would also need to begin hiking out today (on top of their hike down from Camp 2) or they would have to rent mules. I hope the team lets Gene and Al get a good night sleep in Base Camp and they all head out together tomorrow to Mendoza.
So now it is just Sue and I along with guides Eric and Dave at Camp 2 (17,800 feet). In two days we went from a group of 11 to 4.
We are taking a rest day here at Camp 2 to re-baseline - fully hydrate and eat. Dave went down with Al and Gene and will be returning to Camp 2 later this afternoon. There are still several different options to get to the summit. Now it will depend on the weather...and how we each feel over the next few days. The plan would be to move to Camp 3 tomorrow at 19,200 feet. We have to summit by the 23rd in order to make our flights out - that gives us 5 days from today!
John,Sue,Eric and Dave,
Team Carney continues to cheer you all on and hope that the weather will soon be more cooperative. What amazing stamina you have.
Stay safe!
Louise
Posted by: Louise Williams | February 20, 2007 at 01:13 PM