June 13, 2007

Guide Danny Uhlmann called in at 6:40am this morning with a dispatch from Team Gran Poder at 6:40am. The team is in the Condoriri Valley, situated beneath the Cabeza del Condor (head of the condor). Danny reports: "Monday was a skills day on the glacier. We did steep ice climbing and crampon and ice axe technique. Tuesday we woke at 3:45am, had breakfast at 4:30, then 'stormed' two separate peaks in two teams. I took Claire Griffith, Patrick Griffith, Ken Lewis, and Peter Wetzel up Pyramida Blanc, while Andrew took Dave Cohen, Scott Havens, and Paul Ritzma up Pequeno Alpamayo. We both had glorious summits, and actually both teams were on the summits of the two peaks simultaneously. The weather and conditions were amazing - the best that Andrew has seen in many, many years. Tomorrow is another skills day. We have some great photos that we'll send once we return to town. Until then."