Here is the report from the Alpine Ascents crew on Aconcagua. According to their schedule they would have been at camp 3, at the base of the glacier. They must have been absolutely freaked out. I did this trip with them last year.
Team XII: 3/1/2010
Hello friends and family! As previously mentioned, the Satellite phone has not been in working order. We are now at Plaza de Mulas base camp and are pleased to report that we reached the top of the Western hemisphere yesterday afternoon. The Aconquistadores are a proud lot!
Two nights before, we felt the earthquake that rattled nearby Santiago, Chile. At 3:37 am the team was jolted awake by the shaking ground and then the multiple avalanches and serac collapses on the Polish glacier.
Suffice to say, this trip has not been without it's excitement.
Everyone was fine, as we were well out of harm´s way. We were saddened to hear of the devastation it has caused nearby.
We woke to an oncoming storm this morning and hurriedly packed up camp four.
The upper mountain produced a blizzard and then a lightning storm down low.
With axes and poles buzzing, we rushed to base camp and happily gulped our first few sips of beer.
Tomorrow brings clear weather for our 32 kilometer walk out to Penitentes.
Our legs will be ready for massages and hot tubs. Be well friends...thank you for the support. We will see you soon.
