RODNEY HOGG

Good news in that it was a nice leisurely start today with temperatures of 36c so spent the morning lounging around the hotel pool. This afternoon met up with the rest of the team there are seven of us however two members have been delayed but should be with us tomorrow. Did a kit check and some of the guys needed to purchase a few bits and pieces. After going around some of the shops we went out for something to eat.

Bad news is that the weather on the mountain has not been good, very cold with storms and strong winds. Already one death and a few cases of severe frost bite, a few days ago most of the tents where blown off the mountain and those climbing had to bivi, needless to say there have not been many successful summits so far this season. Fingers crossed that the weather improves over the next week.

Will get climbing permits in the morning then head out to Puente del Inca to arrange mules to carry kit into base camp.

Early start today, said good by to Cristina and family and headed off to the airport. Only a 35 minute flight over the Andies from Santiago to Mendoza. Boy is it hot 34 c in the shade. Spent the afternoon touring the town, all the streets are lined with trees so very shady and very few high rise buildings, most being only two or three stories high. Will meet up with the rest of the team tomorrow and get all our permits for the mountain.

Today took a tour of Santiago, visited Bellavesta one of Santiago’s cultural centres with lots of little cafes and restaurants. Lapislazuli the semi-precious blue stone which is only extracted from Chile and Afghanistan can be found in lots of little market shops. Went on to The Plaza De Armas which is in the down town area of the city where the City Hall, Central Post Office, Santiago Museum and Metropolitan Cathedral can all be found. Walked on to Mercado Central where the Central Market building houses the fish market along with some lovely seafood restaurants. Next up was a visit to Constitution Square and took a walk past the Santiago stock exchange and the Metropolitan Govemment buildings. After leaving the city centre took a bus to see Santa Lucia hill’ Providencia and the area of El Golf also known as Sanhattan as it is the new up and coming financial district in Santiago. The exclusive Los. Leones Golf Club is also located here. I’ve had a great three days and really like Santiago and its suburbia which remind me a lot of Johannesburg

Slept like a baby on the 13 hour flight from Madrid. Arrived in Santiago on time at 9:30, to my surprise my luggage made it as well, yippee. Cristina met me at the airport and we went back to meet John and the girls at their house. We all went through to the Casablanca valley which is the main wine making region of Chile and had lunch in this great restaurant run by a South African chap. A friend of John and Cristina is having a birthday party tonight and I have been invited along so off to have a quick nap before going out

Flight from London was delayed now in Madrid with no boarding pass for connection flight and 20min to departure I’m told I will need to fly tomorrow night now. I have been very polite (yes I have it in me) and sweet talked them into letting me onto the flight. Being polite and smiling does help I bet my luggage doesn’t have my charm and does not arrive we wait to see