Thanks for your kind words Bill. I have really enjoyed putting this together - great way to re-live a wonderful trip over & over.
As for the iPod, the theme music for the trip was 'Beyond Heaven' by Karunesh and 'Odonata' by Amethystium - 2 recent iTunes discoveries (which probably nobody else likes). And an older favourite: classical stuff by Andre Rieu, which in the right environment can still bring tears to my eyes!
Thanks DS, glad you enjoyed it. Yes, we didn't let being mugged spoil either trip - and regard ourselves as being very fortunate rather than unlucky. Not one of our attackers had a knife...
Thanks a lot. Really appreciate the positive feedback - and yes, you definitely do want to head down there! It is a great part of the world and a great mountain - and you get to meet some great people. Although mine was a solo venture, it was one of the most social mountain experiences I have had.
Best of luck with your plans - I will look forward to reading how you get on, on SP.
Thanks a lot Sarah, I really appreciate the compliment. I had a fantastic time - and to be able to write about it and share it afterwards is just icing on the cake.
What about you? You seem to have climbed just about everything there is in the continental US (only joking :) - got designs on any really big ones now? Don't see Denali on your list yet (or Aconcagua!).
Ha! Mark, I'm just a lazy old lady. I don't set my sights on much, I just take the peaks that come my way week after week.
I have my deposit down for Kilimanjaro this autumn. I'm pretty excited about that. Even thought it's "only a walk-up," I have no doubt I'm in for a challenge and plenty of adventure!
Lazy old lady?! According to my calculations I've got 13 years on you - unless you are telling porkies about your age on your profile page! You could have Denali & Everest in the bag before you are 40! On Aco I met 2 people of over 60 who summited, albeit one said it was 'worst day' of his life!
Anyway, have a ball on Kili. Who cares if it is a walk? It is a very beautiful and high walk on a very big mountain in the middle of Africa. Love to do it myself... Take care, Mark
Yeah, I was designed in 1973 and rolled off the assembly line in 1974. :) Honestly, Denali & Everest sound like too much cold and suffering to be fun, but that's my personal take. I'm a flimsy old sissy, I guess. ;)
I'm stoked about a chanced to touch the roof of Africa. I'll surely share some photos and/or a TR upon my return, summit or no. :)
No - Yes, please do - and while you are at it: please remind her, she was going to send me an e-mail! I didn't have something to write her e-mail address on...
Thanks a lot! Glad you felt inspired - presumably for your trip in 2012. I have just read your TR for Denali last year - congratulations, great achievement! I hope Lady Aconcagua smiles on you as well. I shall look forward to reading your TR on that as well... Good luck!
trip report Mark. I've only found a few errors concerning Spanish:
_In the title it should be "Normal", not "Normalo".
_It's "Pampas Lenas to Casa Piedra" instead "Pampas Lenas to Casa Piedre".
_When you put "Early morning in Relinquos Gorge", it should be Early morning in Relinchos Gorge.
Finally, what did you wanted to say there? Looking down towards Base Camp from Camp 1 ‘banos’. Shouldn't it be 'baños'? I think that the problem is that you don't have ñ in your keyboard...
Anyway, as I've said before it's a very good trip report and it shows the effort it was.
Thanks Diego
Yes I can hardly spell in my own language, let alone another one (don't know what I did before 'spell-check') - but actually, the title is my own deliberate (but feeble) attempt at humour - I know it isn't really normal-o. All the other ones, yes I completely hold my hand up to - thanks for pointing them out. And no - there isn't an 'n' with that squiggly thing on my keyboard - but aren't you impressed that I got Cólera right?
Fantastic trip report Mark. So well written and fantastic photos. I'm glad neither of you were hurt too badly during the mugging. Congratulations on making the summit. Well done. What an adventure!
Brad, great to hear from you again - and thanks a lot for the kind feedback. I take that as a real compliment from such a well established Aconcagua 'pro'. I have read all your TR's - and your recent article. I am well aware of what you went through in 2009. I was shaken by all the tragedies whilst I was on the mountain, but was somewhat more distanced from it personally compared to your situation.
What are your next plans - an 8000er?
Best wishes, Mark
Congrats, and best wishes to you back - isn't there a law protecting poor and helpless discs against their human owners' abuse? 45 kg, man, my back sure hopes I'll never torture it like that!
Bill Reed - Apr 9, 2011 9:10 pm - Voted 10/10
Epic trip report!!Thanks for sharing it. One question for you, Mark. What were you listening to on your iPod?
Look forward to seeing the movie.
markhallam - Apr 10, 2011 12:21 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Epic trip report!!Thanks for your kind words Bill. I have really enjoyed putting this together - great way to re-live a wonderful trip over & over.
As for the iPod, the theme music for the trip was 'Beyond Heaven' by Karunesh and 'Odonata' by Amethystium - 2 recent iTunes discoveries (which probably nobody else likes). And an older favourite: classical stuff by Andre Rieu, which in the right environment can still bring tears to my eyes!
markhallam - Apr 10, 2011 12:25 am - Hasn't voted
Re: !nice!Thanks DS, glad you enjoyed it. Yes, we didn't let being mugged spoil either trip - and regard ourselves as being very fortunate rather than unlucky. Not one of our attackers had a knife...
EastKing - Apr 9, 2011 10:14 pm - Voted 10/10
Great TR!With all the Aconcaugua TR's I have seen recently I definitely want head down there in the near future. Great TR and photos!
markhallam - Apr 10, 2011 12:32 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Great TR!Thanks a lot. Really appreciate the positive feedback - and yes, you definitely do want to head down there! It is a great part of the world and a great mountain - and you get to meet some great people. Although mine was a solo venture, it was one of the most social mountain experiences I have had.
Best of luck with your plans - I will look forward to reading how you get on, on SP.
Sarah Simon - Apr 11, 2011 12:49 pm - Voted 10/10
Great story, great story tellingThanks for sharing! -Sarah
markhallam - Apr 11, 2011 1:08 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great story, great story tellingThanks a lot Sarah, I really appreciate the compliment. I had a fantastic time - and to be able to write about it and share it afterwards is just icing on the cake.
What about you? You seem to have climbed just about everything there is in the continental US (only joking :) - got designs on any really big ones now? Don't see Denali on your list yet (or Aconcagua!).
Sarah Simon - Apr 11, 2011 5:31 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Great story, great story tellingHa! Mark, I'm just a lazy old lady. I don't set my sights on much, I just take the peaks that come my way week after week.
I have my deposit down for Kilimanjaro this autumn. I'm pretty excited about that. Even thought it's "only a walk-up," I have no doubt I'm in for a challenge and plenty of adventure!
Sarah
markhallam - Apr 12, 2011 1:09 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Great story, great story tellingLazy old lady?! According to my calculations I've got 13 years on you - unless you are telling porkies about your age on your profile page! You could have Denali & Everest in the bag before you are 40! On Aco I met 2 people of over 60 who summited, albeit one said it was 'worst day' of his life!
Anyway, have a ball on Kili. Who cares if it is a walk? It is a very beautiful and high walk on a very big mountain in the middle of Africa. Love to do it myself... Take care, Mark
Sarah Simon - Apr 14, 2011 1:11 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Great story, great story tellingMark,
Yeah, I was designed in 1973 and rolled off the assembly line in 1974. :) Honestly, Denali & Everest sound like too much cold and suffering to be fun, but that's my personal take. I'm a flimsy old sissy, I guess. ;)
I'm stoked about a chanced to touch the roof of Africa. I'll surely share some photos and/or a TR upon my return, summit or no. :)
Sarah
radson - Apr 11, 2011 1:58 pm - Hasn't voted
Singapore teamI just caught up with Joanne - aka SIngapore Mother hen last week. I will let her know she features in your TR. ;)
markhallam - Apr 11, 2011 4:45 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Singapore teamOoops! :(
No - Yes, please do - and while you are at it: please remind her, she was going to send me an e-mail! I didn't have something to write her e-mail address on...
Tbacon251 - Apr 11, 2011 7:15 pm - Voted 10/10
InspiringAn inspiring trip report. I am so proud of you for making the summit. I will be returning to Aconcagua in Jaunuary 2012.
markhallam - Apr 12, 2011 1:21 am - Hasn't voted
Re: InspiringThanks a lot! Glad you felt inspired - presumably for your trip in 2012. I have just read your TR for Denali last year - congratulations, great achievement! I hope Lady Aconcagua smiles on you as well. I shall look forward to reading your TR on that as well... Good luck!
Diego Sahagún - Apr 12, 2011 4:10 am - Voted 10/10
Very good...trip report Mark. I've only found a few errors concerning Spanish:
_In the title it should be "Normal", not "Normalo".
_It's "Pampas Lenas to Casa Piedra" instead "Pampas Lenas to Casa Piedre".
_When you put "Early morning in Relinquos Gorge", it should be Early morning in Relinchos Gorge.
Finally, what did you wanted to say there? Looking down towards Base Camp from Camp 1 ‘banos’. Shouldn't it be 'baños'? I think that the problem is that you don't have ñ in your keyboard...
Anyway, as I've said before it's a very good trip report and it shows the effort it was.
Gracias Mark
markhallam - Apr 13, 2011 3:12 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Very good...Thanks Diego
Yes I can hardly spell in my own language, let alone another one (don't know what I did before 'spell-check') - but actually, the title is my own deliberate (but feeble) attempt at humour - I know it isn't really normal-o. All the other ones, yes I completely hold my hand up to - thanks for pointing them out. And no - there isn't an 'n' with that squiggly thing on my keyboard - but aren't you impressed that I got Cólera right?
markhallam - Apr 13, 2011 3:14 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Wow!Thanks a lot - and yes, it was an amazing experience. All the best with your plans, when you get to it.
Brad Marshall - Apr 13, 2011 8:11 pm - Voted 10/10
Wow AgainFantastic trip report Mark. So well written and fantastic photos. I'm glad neither of you were hurt too badly during the mugging. Congratulations on making the summit. Well done. What an adventure!
markhallam - Apr 14, 2011 8:01 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Wow AgainBrad, great to hear from you again - and thanks a lot for the kind feedback. I take that as a real compliment from such a well established Aconcagua 'pro'. I have read all your TR's - and your recent article. I am well aware of what you went through in 2009. I was shaken by all the tragedies whilst I was on the mountain, but was somewhat more distanced from it personally compared to your situation.
What are your next plans - an 8000er?
Best wishes, Mark
rgg - Apr 16, 2011 4:36 pm - Voted 10/10
Loved it!Congrats, and best wishes to you back - isn't there a law protecting poor and helpless discs against their human owners' abuse? 45 kg, man, my back sure hopes I'll never torture it like that!