[NOTE TO READERS: Please see the note below at the top of dispatch #3]
Ecuador High Altitude Expedition
February 18 to March 4, 2011
Climbers: Sam Kisson, Robert Gay, Tom O’Connell, Dennis Uhlir, Matt DonnellyLead Guide: Benno Schlauri Assistant Guide: Ramiro Garrido February 23, 2011
Benno called at 6:45pm Ecuador and US Eastern time with this message:
“Hello! This is Benno calling from Ecuador. We had a great day today on the glacier. It was a day or practicing skills and basic cramponing and ice axe techniques. We also did a little steep snow and ice climbing today.
Unfortunately, Tom was not feeling really well in the morning up on the glacier, so Ramiro went down with him. I think he just needed a little more time to acclimatize. They did a short hike for a few hours this afternoon, and Tom is doing a lot better and feeling ready to climb.
We’re having an early dinner hereat the Cayambe Hut/Cayambe Refuge [photo above]. Tonight I think we will go for the summit! The plan is to leave at midnight and summit at 7 or 8 in the morning. I hope that we will be calling you from the top.
The weather looks OK right now. It was fairly clear last night, and I’m hoping for the same thing tonight. It looks very promising and again. Wish us luck. We’ll call you from the summit!”