Today, I woke up from the best sleep I’d had in days, even though I got up a couple of times during the night to go to the bathroom. At 9 a.m., we headed to the main dome for breakfast, where we had toast with spreadable cheese and more cheese. While eating, we drank plenty of fluids and chatted with the others, strategizing for the upcoming days. Topics included using porters and managing the weight of the gear we’d have to carry.
After breakfast, a few of us decided to take a walk around the camp. We first walked to the Aconcagua Vision camp, then continued to some ice penitentes, where we stopped to take photos. Afterward, we visited the other camps, passed by the medical tent, and finally walked up to the camp’s entrance to check the porter prices. On the way back, I stopped by the porter’s tent to ask a few questions about how their system worked, specifically regarding prices and weight allowances, to ensure we fully understood our options.
Back at the main dome, we listened to a speech by Chacho, who explained the equipment we’d need to carry and what we’d be hauling over the next few days. This included 7 kg of food per person, as well as other essential items. He provided valuable advice on how to pack and manage our loads.
Afterward, I managed to get internet access and had a 45-minute call with Ji, which was a nice break. Soon after, we were served lunch, which I didn’t particularly enjoy, so I made up for it with snacks, including some crushed-up Pringles courtesy of the mules.
After lunch, I went back to the tent and took a one-hour nap. While it was refreshing, I felt a bit weak and tired afterward, even with simple tasks like walking to the bathroom. It wasn’t long before it was time to pack for the next day.
I decided to carry all 7 kg of food, along with my crampons, helmet, gloves, and ice axe, bringing my total load to 12 kg. Adding the water I’d need for tomorrow, my backpack weighed in at 16 kg. This is about half of what I’ll need to carry overall, so I estimated the second load would be similar in weight.
Once my bag was packed, we decided to go on a short walk to test how the weight felt. The Aconcagua Vision Hill seemed like the best spot to test it, given how challenging it had been the last time we were here. The walk went well, so we dropped our bags back at camp and decided to take another short hike, this time to see the boulder, which was about a 2 km round trip.
After returning, we relaxed in the main dome, sipping tea and chatting before dinner was served. Dinner consisted of soup and pasta, which was decent but nothing extraordinary.
After dinner, we were about to head back to our tent to warm up—it was getting quite cold—but as we left the dome, we noticed the sunset was stunning, with vibrant colors framing the mountain. We grabbed the camera and walked around camp, taking a few photos of the beautiful scene.
Once the sunset had faded, we brushed our teeth and climbed into the tent, ready to sleep and prepare for the next day, which would start with breakfast at 8 a.m.