Guides view

Johnny will continue to give himself less credit then he properly deserves. He was way stronger then he gave himself credit for, and took the climb on with a true mountaineers outlook. That the climb and the experience were equal, if not more important than summit success.

One example of Johnny's courage beyond what he will admit here came about a week into our journey. After a strenuous climb to camp 1, 16,000 ft, Johnny witnessed tents being destroyed by the wind, and a groups of people trying to wrangle them from the wind. After this adrenalin induced episode we traveled back down to base camp. Part way down we started to look for the bright orange domiciles we called home. for some reason we couldn't make them out. When we arrived at base camp we were approached by some Americans that we be friended along the way and we were informed that a hurricane blast ripped through camp and through our tents aside in it's wake. Along with our personal tents went the service tents. As I witnessed the carnage that was left by the mighty blast I was sure that Johnny would be ready to go down. But to my surprise when I told Johnny that our tents were not sound to sleep in at the moment, and we need to sleep in the last tent standing, which was at a 45 degree angle, he offered to sleep under the table. The next as a base camp refugee, johnny helped to rebuild the service tent with the rest of the volunteers.

Johnny said that he did this trip on his own because he didn't want to deal with other people. But some how everyone knew Johnny B on the mountain, and I mean everyone. When porters would pass us up and down the mountain, they would shout hi to Johnny, even though the knew little English. He also had the scoop on all the other climbing party's around us.

Even though Johnny woke every morning with a new excuse to go down, which was promptly ignored. Once on the trail up the mountain he would exclaim that he felt "fucking brilliant!", and would carry on another day.

This trip with johnny was probably the most rewarding expedition I have done for a couple of reasons. The first is because of how ex static he was just to reach high camp. upon arriving, after succumbing to tears for a moment, he said he "felt like a bunch of balloons!". He was here for something bigger than Aconcagua. He had a larger goal, a more noble one, and we thank him for letting us be part of it. I wish I would have more clients like Johnny B. then our expeditions would be more than just getting people to the top.

This is just same flash backs of an extraordinary and fun expedition that face us with hard weather and Johnny's great spirit, and enthusiasm that will remain with us for life.

Larry Holmgren and Carlos Liendo.

Aconcagua Guides.