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- Nov 18, 2010
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Earthquake rocks Aconcagua — MM group safe and sound
Our final group on Aconcagua, which includes three guides and nine team menbers, is now moving up to Camp 1 on the mountain. We spoke with MM guide Gaspar Navarette yesterday about the expedition and he reports all is well. But, the night of the earthquake that hit off the coast of Chile was not without its moments of confusion and doubt. Gaspar reported that the whole camp awoke from their sleep to the earth shaking and the sounds of rockfall nearby. With a full moon it was easy to see where large slides had come down, one which took out the water line to their digs at Camp Confluencia.
(all photos from previous expeditions)
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcZMIy-PI%2FAAAAAAAAAuw%2FsKvBzrV-92s%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=461b3fe12f4a636947ef675bbf623ed0 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcZMIy-PI%2FAAAAAAAAAuw%2FsKvBzrV-92s%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=dd4e7130b7071ff1a635ea1542a950a3 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcZMIy-PI%2FAAAAAAAAAuw%2FsKvBzrV-92s%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=0e6ebd1ff981334b21fa85fdb212b38a 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcZMIy-PI%2FAAAAAAAAAuw%2FsKvBzrV-92s%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=2496acfa5386991dc373e5aff6a1df3d 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcZMIy-PI%2FAAAAAAAAAuw%2FsKvBzrV-92s%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=bcb043ff84f451af6c5c383ec084f07c 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcZMIy-PI%2FAAAAAAAAAuw%2FsKvBzrV-92s%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=277b8f6be0e68d84921de87c21bae461 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcZMIy-PI%2FAAAAAAAAAuw%2FsKvBzrV-92s%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=decf7f5ece8213a5deeb3c00254c094b 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcZMIy-PI%2FAAAAAAAAAuw%2FsKvBzrV-92s%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=9083237363107a246ca91c7d2952db63 320w)
At the trailhead. Pablo Puruncajas photo
Fortunately the camp location was far away from the hazards and so the resulting chaos was thankfully short-lived; Gaspar reported people from other expeditions running around camp confused and wondering what to do. But, once the dust settled and people realized they were out of harm’s way things returned to normal.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcTcQ5sGI%2FAAAAAAAAAuo%2FtTYRMTF1oIo%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4490.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=5174f3b45fc3527b025f1ae9c8491109 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcTcQ5sGI%2FAAAAAAAAAuo%2FtTYRMTF1oIo%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4490.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=c96475e99ec9f6a08f8d046f07e28342 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcTcQ5sGI%2FAAAAAAAAAuo%2FtTYRMTF1oIo%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4490.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=4c8786cc73e20db1617edebdaed6a865 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcTcQ5sGI%2FAAAAAAAAAuo%2FtTYRMTF1oIo%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4490.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=584083f90ba73ea45dd58758f00689ee 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcTcQ5sGI%2FAAAAAAAAAuo%2FtTYRMTF1oIo%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4490.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=d186c42a0a757f0de3d757df35584047 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcTcQ5sGI%2FAAAAAAAAAuo%2FtTYRMTF1oIo%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4490.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=43ca012939c91384d1d979b5212b8cd5 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcTcQ5sGI%2FAAAAAAAAAuo%2FtTYRMTF1oIo%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4490.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=bb6d53254cebbb675d33180d4c5d46df 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcTcQ5sGI%2FAAAAAAAAAuo%2FtTYRMTF1oIo%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4490.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=4d8d90fa848afcbbf9e5612d7b177285 240w)
Acclimatization hike to south face, which is rumored to have large rock/snow slides come down during the earthquake. Pablo Puruncajas photo
Meanwhile, MM guide Ossy Freire, who was in Mendoza in a hotel, had a differnt story to tell. He was literally shaken out of his bed by the quake, but he and all other hotel clients also escaped without harm. We’re thankful our team remained safe through this disaster and saddened by the loss in Chile by those not so fortunate.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcgOib_7I%2FAAAAAAAAAvA%2FCM_i6LxV3AQ%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4383.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=8f87b4c0c3210a7c719238e322d74c8a 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcgOib_7I%2FAAAAAAAAAvA%2FCM_i6LxV3AQ%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4383.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=db68638cca0ebbc3f0dbc43f13b01b6b 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcgOib_7I%2FAAAAAAAAAvA%2FCM_i6LxV3AQ%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4383.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=1f57387dcf735a832e7c5a170fce2597 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcgOib_7I%2FAAAAAAAAAvA%2FCM_i6LxV3AQ%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4383.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=aa595ca8a0a47831ebae5955fbe2b0bb 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcgOib_7I%2FAAAAAAAAAvA%2FCM_i6LxV3AQ%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4383.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=2267fa5f5c477525cd78e3cd12ab69e4 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcgOib_7I%2FAAAAAAAAAvA%2FCM_i6LxV3AQ%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4383.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=0e354cbb1adb318a65eb73c2a464ef1c 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcgOib_7I%2FAAAAAAAAAvA%2FCM_i6LxV3AQ%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4383.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=d1bc88a45b26848363a7e6712ba22704 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcgOib_7I%2FAAAAAAAAAvA%2FCM_i6LxV3AQ%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BIMG_4383.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=90d1261e9b9067962f1496a6591aaa00 320w)
Hike in to base camp. Pablo Puruncajas photo
And with news from Ossy for the group about the state of things in Chile, such significant calamity gave the team reason for pause and uncertainty as to whether to proceed. Would there chance to climb be halted? In the end, based on the conditions on the ground, we decided to continue with the expedition.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcdND8ezI%2FAAAAAAAAAu4%2FcHI7Fk57L2o%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BAconcagua%2B2008%2B2009%2B302.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=f9a980095b7506d6930f09ed2be37170 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcdND8ezI%2FAAAAAAAAAu4%2FcHI7Fk57L2o%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BAconcagua%2B2008%2B2009%2B302.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=bea0d5829222c8d81d5fe801c0a32dbc 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcdND8ezI%2FAAAAAAAAAu4%2FcHI7Fk57L2o%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BAconcagua%2B2008%2B2009%2B302.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=866eb5942bb407e49b80a4f895e3873d 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcdND8ezI%2FAAAAAAAAAu4%2FcHI7Fk57L2o%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BAconcagua%2B2008%2B2009%2B302.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=9e01adbe81922a77555452f9a9450e78 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcdND8ezI%2FAAAAAAAAAu4%2FcHI7Fk57L2o%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BAconcagua%2B2008%2B2009%2B302.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=9c9b72fe65057266811a096f1153df60 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcdND8ezI%2FAAAAAAAAAu4%2FcHI7Fk57L2o%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BAconcagua%2B2008%2B2009%2B302.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=a2939d608c318379ac6379925f17b0e6 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcdND8ezI%2FAAAAAAAAAu4%2FcHI7Fk57L2o%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BAconcagua%2B2008%2B2009%2B302.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=4f60020eb8f41bfaad9949a2e35b20a4 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FS5BcdND8ezI%2FAAAAAAAAAu4%2FcHI7Fk57L2o%2Fs320%2FCopy%2Bof%2BAconcagua%2B2008%2B2009%2B302.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=517d9b538659ebc6f023af604618840b 320w)
Base Camp. Pablo Puruncajas photo
Yesterday, March 3rd, Gaspar reported the group was in good spirits and excited to be moving ahead with the trip. In the ensuing days, they will be positioning themselves for the summit push, sometime around March 10 – 11. Stay tuned!