Here are the few, the proud, and the lucky who are on the AWR Aconcagua trip February 14 – March 2, 2011.
Donald
I consider myself a world explorer and somewhat seasoned mountaineer. I am a PhD student in planetary geology, work at NASA for the International Space Station program and am a commercial pilot/flight instructor. I grew up in Colorado and the high country, and have since climbed Mt. Fuji and Mt. Kilimanjaro and this will be my highest climb to date. During our successful ascent of Aconcagua, I also plan to attempt to contact the crew of the ISS using a HAM radio. The party will be at the summit so see you there!
The websites below can be used to follow our expedition in real time during the two weeks of our climb.
- http://www.spotadventures.com/trip/view?trip_id=241205
- http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0iJbIH4C5hEot81jklkxPZyI3iN4XnlZl
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Donald-Barker/100000214972200
Ryland
I am 27 years old and am from Fairfax Virginia just outside Washington DC. I have been a Fairfax County fireman for the past 7 years. I have just started my “mountaineering career.”
I have climbed Kilimanjaro, Mt. Whitney and Mt. Hood. My goal is to climb all 7 summits. When we summit Mt. Aconcagua this will be 2 of 7 for me.
Oliver
I am 30 years old and grew up in Cardiff, Wales. I now live in London, England with my girlfriend, Amy, and am attempting the summit to make the most of some time off before starting a new job in March.
This is my first climb of this magnitude and I am looking forward to the challenge very much.
Fran
I live in upstate New York near Rochester, NY. My wife and I have three daughters. Retired in 2009 and a Grandpa to 3 grandkids in Hawaii and 2 here in Victor. This is will be my 4th climbing trip, first was Mona Kea, Hawaii, second Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, third Kala Pattar, Nepal & Everest Base Camp. At 63 this maybe my most challenging summit. I am looking forward to new friends and a very high summit.
Coco
I’m from Fuzhou, China, and I run a shoe factory there with my husband. We export shoes to different countries, but most of them to Europe. I received my MBA in Toronto, Canada and I have a 9-year old daughter who would like to join me on one of my fun journeys soon. I like outdoor activities, and once cycled from my city to Beijing, which is over 2000 kilometers. I’ve also summitted Kilimanjaro. Those two are my biggest adventure up till now. Aconcagua will be a new record, and I’m looking forward to that!
Zach
I am a Major in the US Air Force. I am an instructor/evaluator pilot in the AC-130U “Spooky” Gunship at the 19th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL. I got into climbing when I lived in Colorado, where I climbed several 14’ers, but have always been an outdoor sports junky. Since then, I’ve climbed Mt Ararat in Turkey and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This will be my highest climb to date.
Augusto Ortega (Lead Guide)
Our lead guide is Augusto Ortega. He is Peruvian, bilingual and very experienced. He has guided on all of the high Andean peaks multiples of times, with 48 summits of Aconcagua. He was the first Peruvian to climb Mt. Everest including one time without oxygen.