Real Cyclists
Aconcagua NHK climb at the Andes in Argentina
I just watched today the NHK climb of NHK team at the Aconcagua at Argentina. This is some 6,000 meters above sea level and the highest peak of the Andes - a mountain range that runs north to south some 8,000 km long. The climb started in December after Christmas. It was summer in Christmas at the southern hemisphere
The climb started in the town of Mendoza; then to base camp by horse some l,600 meters above sea level. But it was snowing at the first base camp. Then to second base camp. But the weather was bad and had to wait to climb to third base camp. By the time they were in third base camp, the viento blanco (or white storm - it could be blinding and very cold. So they retreated to base camp no 2 which was a very good decision. Because viento blanco crawled into camp 3 that night. They waited for the weather to clear for one day.
Then they climbed the following day starting at 3 30 Am direct to the summit without stopping at the base camp. On the way the executive producer, the sound man were sent down because they were tired. In the end only the camera man, Taraka with his 15 kgs of gear made it to the top by 5 pm, some 13 hours later after the start of the climb at 3:30 am.
The narrator said that the successful ascent of the NHK cameraman represented the victory for the whole NHK team. Although some 3,000 climbers go to Mendoza every year, only 30% ( 1 out of 3) make it to the top. The combination of strength, good weather, good preparation makes for successful climb to the highest peak at the Andes.
It is same for us Recyclists; some quit at Baguio before the Lion's head. But we have to train hard for tough climb like Sierra Madre, Bitukang Manok, and Baguio city.
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