1-14-23
A group of climbers walked down the cobble stone street. It was dark but warm out. The fountains of the Plaza Independencia were lit up bright and locals, families, were out lounging on the grass, on marble on benches chatting. The climbers went to meet up with their guide who they had been in contact with on Whatsapp. On a quiet unapologetic Mendocino street-side eatery they sat at a long table with benches, together, these strangers and had beers in battered liter bottles and nibbled on peanuts. They chatted looking to find common ground and experiences. They were from many US states, from Canada, from Malwai, from India, from many different careers and objectives. They would have to build an expedition greater than the sum of its parts. They thought on what to name their merry band of 15.
-Don Nguyen
1-15-23
The band of 15 gathered again at the hotel and blew open their duffel bags going through item by item to make sure they were successful. It was painstaking but worth making sure the trip would run well. After that was done they went to La Lucia and ate way to much Bife de Chorizo a local cut of steak. They had a jam session on what to finalize the team name. They settled on Las Mulas Locas. The Crazy Mules. It was perfect. A team of 15 this large wasn’t like herding cats, it was hard as driving stubborn mules.
The team is lead by Don Nguyen, Juan Araya, and Pedro Lizabe
Expedition members are. Shelly, Mackinlee, Marita, Rasa, Vitya, Andrew, Rajan L, Rajan D, Ben, Gary, Mike, Glen
-Don Nguyen
1-16-23
Las Mulas Locas transferred by bus to the Army Hotel. Compania Cazadores de Montanas. It was a small hotel run by the elite Argentine mountain unit. The accommodations were hostel style and food was served by soldiers in camouflage. What a strange novelty. The team also dropped by the local attraction Puente del Inca a natural hot springs that had a huge natural bridge made by mineral secretions from the earth.
-Don Nguyen
