Horcones Valley Aconcagua

This day will go down in history as being in the top 10 misery ordeals. I am so happy I am even able to write in my journal. Here is what happened: We awoke and packed in nice weather. I started off early before the rest of camp. The trail climbed out of a river gorge. After a mile I took a break. Coming from behind was one of the New Zealanders. We ended up hiking together for the next 3 miles or so. The scenery was outstanding. The trail went along the river bottom for miles. The river bottom was a half mile wide with huge mountains going straight up. We waited for Bob and soon he arrived. Around the same time we saw the mules pass that had our gear. Now up to this point everything was ok but this Himalayan type valley went on and on. It was flat but hiking for hours at 12,000 feet is a killer. It started to snow, not just flurries any more. Finally, we came to the threshold of pain, which was Bobs name for the end of the easy hiking and the beginning of the uphill. The problem was that we are not acclimated for these heights, especially hiking all day. The trail went up the valley slowly. At times it would drop. The wind and snow was not too cold but it was an annoyance. Finally we got to lower Plaza de Mulas where we saw the final death march. The trail switch backed up the mountain and over a ridge. Now I was already dead. Bob seemed to do better and cruised up the hill. About halfway up I sat down and wondered if I should get up. I was looking down this immense valley as snow was blanketing it. I knew I was probably the last person up today. Finally I got going and reached the top. Sad to see it was only a false summit. The blasted trail kept going up. I kept going wishing I had more oxygen. Just before base camp, Chris from the airplane passed me. He had started from the trailhead that morning at 11 a.m. He just flew up. He plans on climbing to the summit tomorrow. The guy is superhuman. He is on high altitude drugs to acclimate but still! Rumor says nobody has summated in a week and a half. They also say the snow is waist deep above Berlin camp. So finally I pull into camp like a zombie. I just could not believe how hard the day was. Every thing I read made it sound fairly easy.