Happy 2009!

Wes and Dan rang in the New Year in Argentina. Wes spent the early hours of 2009 dealing with Montezuma's Revenge. He finally made it to bed at 5:30 am. He is not sure if it was from the water or from the food last night. He is feeling better now. He started a round of antibiotics. All Wes had to say was "thank goodness for portable toilets." Dan was able to avoid that particular condition and still feels great. New Year's Eve on Aconcagua was a pretty wild place. At midnight huge explosions began going off. Apparently people brought canisters with fireworks or explosives. There was a very large bonfire and congo drums were played until about 3:00 am. About 40 tents are set up at this camp. There are people from all over the world - a few Americans. There must have been drinking games going on in the Inca tent because Dan and Wes could hear people cheering in Spanish, "Chug, chug, chug." The games are the same no matter what language you speak. From another group came the telltale smell of marijuana. Are these people really going to climb this mountain? Today Wes and Dan were seen by the camp doctor. Their blood pressure, pulsox, etc. were checked. The doctor said they were both fine. Wes said one of the tents was rigged up with Internet access and satellite communication. It is sunny and breezy right now. They are glad for the wind because it cools it down a little bit. Today is definitely a rest day. Tomorrow they are off to make their cache at Camp I.