Racing the storm Day 2 12/20

I woke up to a gnarly gust of wind rocking our tent early in the morning. Andy was knocked out by NyQuil, good he needs sleep. We were going to make a call in the am if we were going to make the trek due to weather and him being sick. I layer in the tent watching it rock w each gust, hoping we were going to chill for the day. Andy woke up at 8:30, we had some tea, then he said let's pack up. Ugghh I fucking knew it. He's so damn stubborn he'll hike no matter what. We knew a storm was coming. We quickly packed our shit and tent while holding it so it wouldn't fly away. I was nervous. If it's this windy here, how will we cross the peaks and deal w the rain?

We headed on the trail after 10. Later start than I was hoping for. We were immediately stopped by a girl from the Refugio asking if we were going to Jakob. Yep. She was contemplating if her group should go. She had trendy jeans and Keds on. She said she doesn't have as good as clothes as us. No shit. Bad idea lady. I don't know how you walked out of the parking lot much less going to do this trek. 

We walked along the lake. At the end we ran into a couple in their late 40s who climbed all the way to the summit and turned back due to the wind pushing them over. Oh shit. This is going to be fun. Up we go!

The first ascent was sprinkling and some gusts, we were expecting the worst at the top. We hiked up to an alpine lake (Lago Schmoll) that had amazing views of the lake below and the Refugio. Time to hike up higher. We hiked up 1200 ft over loose rock. Before we summited Roca Inclinada, we put all our clothes and gear on prepping for the worst. Not sure if we got lucky, but it wasn't bad. Yay!!

Straight down 1500 ft all shitty scree. I don't mind going down scree, it's like skating down the mountain and I had a hiking pole this time so all good. The shitty part was the last section of of rocks we had to hike down. Very unstable and I was starting to get tired. No breakfast. Plus I was sweating from all the damn clothes I had on. We made it to the forest and took a break. I cooled down, we ate our 3 day old meatless sammies and the leftover pizza from last night. Yummm. Downed some water, no time for relaxing, we have a storm to beat. 

Walking through the forest was wonderful. Flat, peaceful, as the rain danced off the birch trees. Birds chirping. Now the rain started. It was 1:30. We had several more hours. OK, we are in this now. The flat hike was short lived as we started the second ascent. 

The ascent initially wasn't bad. Around trees and over small rocks w good grip, we took our time. It was pouring now. We were getting soaked. I started to get cold so I had to throw on quick mid layer in the rain. Then we had a wonderful break of flat ground. I took it in while I could. Then a shitty up, scramble over boulders, some questionable areas. 1k ft total up. 

After the summit we saw the Refugio down below in the valley next to Lagra Negra. We are close! The descent was steep. Really steep. Medium then smaller rocks. It's really hard when you are tired which we were. The site of the Refugio gave us energy, or at least sick Andy as he ran down the mountain 1200 ft. He's a damn mountain goat, me not so much. 

Through the woods, across a bridge, and we made it to the wonderful Refugio! It didn't look like anyone was there. I was wanting to put up the tent immediately since it wasn't raining hard. We took a break first. We took off our soaking clothes and boots. We sat by the fire, hung up our wet clothes, and drank the hot tea the lady made for us. It felt so good to be warm and dry. Then it started to downpour again. This time really hard. No need to camp tonight. We are staying in the Refugio! F that! $44 isn't so bad when it's shit weather. We will bypass the $44 dinner however and go straight for the chili mac w beef. The bathroom is far away. I almost fell running towards it. That would have been a damper. 

We get comfortable and look at the window at the gnarly rain. We plan for tomorrow and eat our can of Pringles (Lays disguised as Pringles). Then the lady tells us the way we want to go is closed. We would need an ice ax to get up.  Well then. I guess we are taking the alternate route down the valley. Andy isn't please and he thinks he can make it. I'm sure you can honey. 

Not many people in the Refugio, 3 other Argentinians, the man and woman taking care of the place, and a couple guys working on the bathrooms. We call it a night at 9. We had the room of 25 dorm beds to ourself. We fell sleep in our comfy sleeping bags looking out the window at the huge mountain and trees blowing, sleet hitting the window. It's gonna be a cold one tonight.