Everyone arrived safely in Mendoza, along with all of their luggage, so things are off to a GREAT start. We met the guides from the local company and all of the climbers had their gear reviewed to ensure that everyone has exactly what they need for the mountain. The group is FANTASTIC. Everyone is getting to know each other and had a fun group dinner.
Best of all, the two kids from the Crescere Foundation have joined the group already. Renya (age 20 – F) and Malcon (age 17 – m) are starting to warm up to everyone – with the help of translation from the guides and members of the group who speak Spanish, especially Rick – and are very excited to be a part of it all. All of the DNA climbers are excited to share their experience with the kids, and are pleased to be able to provide them with this opportunity — all made possible through the support of TeleTech. Our lead guide, Pepe, said that he has been guiding on the mountain for 9 years and has never seen any group include local kids. The guides are equally as thrilled to have the kids along! One of our guides is Gwene (a female guide, which we are thrilled about) has really been a help translating for Renya and Malcon. All told we will have mountain 4 local guides, plus Marshall, leading the group to the summit. A trekking guide will also be along to assist Renya and Malcon, who will actully be spending TWO nights at base camp with us, before being lead back out of the park by the trekking guide.
A list of the DNA climbers is as follows:
Marshall Ulrich, guide
Mick Donoff, M age 65 from Laguna Beach, CA
Rick Newman, M age 45 from Fort Collins, CO
Robin Swank, Fage 38 from Lakewood, CO
Mike Monahan, M age 63 from Laguna Beach, CA
Bruce Nystrom, M age 52 from Milford, IA
Marieke Deschesne, F age 38 from Boulder, CO
Michael Hansen, age 44 from Fort Collins, CO
Gary Shaffer, M age 52 from Lakewood, CO
Theresa Daus-Weber, F age 54 from Morrison, CO
Jim Hoyt, M age 53 from Pleasonton, CA
Alex Nemet, age 38 from Westlake, OH
Each day, as the informational pieces that the climbers put together are posted we will provide a bio and more information about each of the climbers. So…. stay tuned.
Tomorrow a few business items in the morning in Mendoza – like getting climbing permts – then off to the park and the start of the trek into base camp and the climb.
