Hola everyone. Merry Christmas

Today we have a rest day up at base camp after a really hard carry to Camp 1 (16,411ft) which took about 7hrs round trip. Aside from summit day, apparently that was the hardest day we should expect. Largely due to the heavy loads (>60lbs) in addition to the altitude gain. It was a hard slog up to Camp 1, and I was climbing strong until the last 15 minutes when I hit a mental wall. Fortunately, we were all but there, and I made it to cache the majority of my cold weather personal gear plus help carry group gear like fuel, food, and technical climbing gear. >I started to get a headache on the way down, and by the time we reached base camp, it was head splitting. Apparently that´s pretty common to get a headache on the descent after a hard climb. I´m feeling great today, and we are enjoying a rest day on Christmas. }

Last night all of the Argentinos celebrated Christmas eve with drinks, music & fireworks until about 1 or 2am. Some of the groups up here really know how to throw a party apparently, or so I hear. I was out like a light in my tent and slept til 8 this morning. Well, lunch is going to be ready in a bit and that is about the only thing on my agenda today, until dinner, and perhaps a nap.

>I love everyone, and hope everyone has a Merry Christmas Feliz Navidad.

bryan