Aconcagua 19th December 2008 Expedition News.

6th January – Aconcagua Success – Ben called this morning from camp 2. Yesterday the team reached the highest point in South America. Mark had decided to descend down to Camp 1 a couple of days prior to the summit bid. Roger reached the Independencia Hut at 6400m and decided to head back down. The rest of the team pushed on and all made the summit, including George Atkinson who has now set a new UK record reaching the summit at the age of 14. The weather was good to begin with but deteriorated in the afternoon, snowing on the descent. The team had a 14 hour round trip to the summit and back to Camp 2. They will descend to BC today and start trekking out the day after. Well done to all the team.

4th January – Ben has been in touch from camp 2 to say that the team are going for the summit tomorrow.  The sky is clear and the weather settled, so should prove a perfect day for views over Argentina and Chile.  The team are in great spirits.

31st December – The team are now up at camp 1 and have walked up to the col at 5200m. Tomorrow they will make their first carry up to camp 2.

30th December – The team were having a lazy morning in the sun today. They made a successful carry to Camp 1 yesterday and were planning on moving up this afternoon.

28th December – Ben left a message last night to say that the team had arrived at BC on the 26th and had their rest day yesterday. They will be making their first load carry today up to Camp 1 at a height of 4800m, everyone is fine and looking forward to progressing up the mountain.

24th December – Ben and the team have started their trek into Base Camp today. They should arrive at Plaza Argentias on the 26th Dec. They will then have a rest day before starting to establish the camps above Base Camp.

22nd December – The team are all now in Mendoza and plan to depart for Puente Del Inca later today.

21st December – Half the team have arrived in Mendoza. Ben, Wayne, Roger, Martin & Stephan Pietge who were flying via JFK have missed their connection due to bad weather. All being well they will fly today.

The Team Leader : Ben Bradford

Steven Barnbrook

Derek Billham

John Dance

Graham Moore

Colin Brett

Mark Atkinson

George Atkinson

Stephan Pietge

Wayne Cook

Roger Lord

Martin Ingham

Stefan Bornemann