I talked to Scott at 3:45am (local time) as they were boiling drinking water for the trip and making final preparations to leave for the summit. They will continue climbing northbound and traverse over to join the Normal Route at 6,200 m, a point found between the Independence refuge and Camp Piedras Blancas. From there they will continue on the Normal Route up to the Independence Refuge (6,500 m). They will ascend the "Portezuelo del Viento" where there are always strong winds even on calm days. From there they will pass by the superior part of the Western face and climb "La Canaleta," a 300 m chute that borders the final approach of the climb to the summit. They will travel about an hour through the Filo del Guanaco that leads to the summit. From the Filo del Guanaco they will have an amazing view of the Southern Wall of Mt. Aconcagua, considered one of the largest walls of the world, directly under their feet.
When they reach the summit at 22,841 ft., they will have an indescribable sensation of total satisfaction that they were able to overcome the challenge and meet their goal. They will also be rewarded with a 360° view of the Andes Mountain Range and surrounding area. After sharing these emotional moments of accomplishment on the summit, they will carefully descend to Camp II.
Go for it, guys! And be safe.
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