In Base Camp!

Heidi called to report that the team was in Base Camp!

She said that they had hiked to Pampas de Lenas on the first day on the trail and eaten "surf and turf." Yesterday, they hiked another 8 miles to a spot called Case de Piedra (House of Stone), where they grilled hamburgers and soy burgers and settled in for the evening.

The hiking on the first two days followed the Rio Vacas, first on the west bank and then crossing a bridge just past Pampas de Lenas and continuing on the east side of the river. The valley is very deep, and varies from being fairly narrow to opening broadly at Casa de Piedra. Just before arriving at camp on the second evening, they had their first views of the mountain, looking up the steeply walled, "V-shaped" valley of the Relinchos River, which pours off the southeast side of Aconcagua.

Today they crossed the Rio Vacas on horseback and entered the Relinchos Valley, making their way along its steep banks. Eventually, they needed to ford the icy waters of the Relinchos, mad even chiller by the fact that it had begun to snow on them! By the time they arrived at BC. about 4 inches had fallen.

They plan to take a rest and acclimatization day tomorrow and will make their first foray onto the mountain itself on Sunday.