High Mountain | Science | Community

rickymunday

caro l ina morales

davidkenealy

2008 saw the birth of a dream; to climb the Triple 7 Summits. Since then, Ricky has climbed in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, New Guinea, Alaska and Mexico, in pursuit of his dream

The South America 3 Peaks expedition continues that dream.

introductionThe South America 3 Peaks expedition team will travel to the High Andes of Argentina in late December 2013. Over the course of 38 days, the team will attempt to climb the 3 highest peaks in the Americas - Monte Pissis (6795m), Ojos del Salado (6893m) & Aconcagua (6959m). To acclimatise, the team will also climb 3 other peaks over 4,500m.

The expedition has 3 objectives:1. Mountain - to safely climb the 3 highest peaks in South America (6,700m+) including the first Venezuelan female ascent of all 3 peaks2. Science - to support ongoing scientific research on South America’s receding glaciers by creating a photographic record from pre-ordained GPS locations and collecting rock & ice samples for later analysis by world-class researchers3. Community - to raise a substantial sum of money for Macmillan Cancer Support to benefit cancer victims in the UK and inspire people to follow their own dreams

All 3 expedition team members have extensive climbing and/or wilderness experience and experience of living, working and travelling in remote areas. Although a standalone expedition, it is also the third leg of a long-term project to climb the Triple 7 Summits, the 3 highest peaks on each continent.

peru chilebolivia ecuador colombia argentinavenezuela

ojos del salado (6,893m)

aconcagua (6,962m)monte pissis (6,795m)

geology: the Andes are a belt of mountains along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of volcanic activity that encompasses the Pacific rim of the Americas as well as the Asia-Pacific region. The Andes are the result of plate tectonics processes, caused by the subduction of oceanic crust beneath the South American plate.

The main cause of the rise of the Andes is the compres-sion of western rim of the South American Plate due to the subduction of the Nazca Plate and the Antarctic Plate. To the east, the Andes range is bounded by several sedimentary basins such as Orinoco, Amazon Basin, Madre de Dios and Gran Chaco. In the south the Andes shares a long boundary with the former Patagonia Terrane. To the west, the Andes end at the Pacific Ocean, although the Peru-Chile trench can be considered its ultimate western limit.

high andes: key factslength: 7,000 km (4,300 mi)width: 200 km (120 mi) to 700 km (430 mi)average height: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)location: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.highest point: Aconcagua (6,962m)first ascent: Matthias Zurbriggen (Switzerland); 14/1/1897

argentina

“In this high altitude desert, the predominant feeling is one of utter loneliness; distances grow beyond all known dimensions”Anders Bolinder, Mountain World 1966/67

Generally, the mountains in this region are isolated from each other, rising at the margins of the Puna de Atacama, but several peaks rise in the interior, even out of the salares. The peaks bordering the Puna are generally considered as two cordilleras; the western following the Chile-Argentina border, the eastern standing wholly in Argentine territory. The principal problems for climbers are altitude and access; drinkable water is almost unobtainable and climbers must expect to carry supplies sufficient to enable them to reach snowline camps. The best period for climbing is the southern summer, from December to February

location | puna de atacamaThe Puna de Atacama is an arid high-altitude plateau of approximately 4,000 to 4,600 metres (11,000 to 13,000 feet) elevation that lies between ranges of the Andean cordillera in Northwestern Argentina. This elevated plateau has an area of 180,000 square kilometres, with deep-cut valleys and salt water lakes (salares), some of which aredry and crystaline. This magnificently beautiful region is virtually unknown to foreign expeditions and little known even to Argentine natives. The Puna is a place of desolate, stunning, and otherwordly landscapes.

It is now known that a number of high Andean peaks were climbed and occupied in pre-Columbian times by Indians who left behind shrines and shelters on or near summits. The area of these ascents stretches from Arequipa in Peru as far south as the Elqui valley in Chile. These volcanic peaks have a very high permanent snowline, averaging c. 5800m and the highest ar-chaeological site in the world is on the summit of Llullaiyaco, 6732m, first ascended in modern times in 1952. With numerous high peaks to their credit, it is fair to say that the Quechuas of southern Peru, the Aymaras of Bolivia and the Atacamenans ofnorthern Chile were the world’s first mountaineers.

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn

long after they are gone, And so hold on when

there is nothing in you Except the Will which

says to them: “Hold on”

Rudyard Kipling

reach | engagementSince 2004, Ricky’s expeditions have been covered by the traditional & outdoor media worldwide, including in the UK, Canada, Australia & Indonesia. These expeditions have inspired, educated & engaged audiences through coverage by BBC Radio Scotland, Radio France Internationale, The Independent, The Herald, The Scotsman, Outer Edge Magazine, Wide World Magazine, Trek & Mountain, Get Out There and many others. Carolina has garnered coverage in many active and lifestyle media titles in Latin America, including Runner’s World.

Our social media strategy will focus on facebook, twitter and youtube to promote our community objectives, our supporters and sponsors. Ricky is an experienced public speaker and is represented by the World Explorers Bureau. Ricky has lectured widely about his journey; growing up on a Glasgow council estate; winning league championships with Glasgow Hawks RFC; working in crisis zones with the Red Cross; completing the Marathon des Sables; his 9 expeditions to 5 continents in his quest to complete the Triple 7 Summits. Audiences have included Gordonstoun School, the Alpine Club of Canada and the National Trust for Scotland. Social media updates will be made using a variety of satcomms, including a BGAN/iPhone link for video blogs and satphone for voice blogs to to ipadio.com, which will automatically update social media and Ricky’s blog. In addition, we will use SPOT Connect to allow supporters to track the expedition’s movements online.

mountainsaconcagua is the highest mountain in the Ameri-cas at 6,962m, and also in the Western and Southern Hemispheres. It is located in the province of Mendoza, Argentina.Elevation: 6,962 mFirst ascent: 1897 (Matthias Zurbriggen)Route: Punte de Vacas, False Polish Glacier Traverse. The Polish Glacier (Spanish Glaciar de los Polacos) is one of the glacial fields of Cerro Aconcagua,. It was named af-ter the Polish expedition of 1934. Led by Konstanty Jodko-Narkiewicz, the team paved an alternative route to the peak, named the Polish Route, through the glacier.Difficulty: semi-technicalDays: 12

ojos del saladois a massive stratovolcano on the Argentina-Chile border and the highest volcano in the world at 6,893m and the highest mountain in Chile. It is located about 600 km north of Aconcagua. Due to itslocation near the Atacama desert, the mountain has very dry conditions with snow usually only remaining on the peak during winter, though heavy storms can occur suddenly. There is a permanent crater lake about 100 m in diameter at an elevation of 6,390m, which is the highest lake in the world.Elevation: 6,893mFirst ascent: 1937 (Jan Alfred Szczepański)Route: Ruta Normal - ArgentnaDifficulty: semi-technicalDays: 12

monte pissisis an extinct volcano in La Rioja Province, Argentina. The mountain is the third-high-est in the Western Hemisphere, and is lo-cated about 550 km north of Aconcagua. Monte Pissis is named after Pedro José Amadeo Pissis, a French geologist who worked for the Chilean government. Due to its location in the Atacama Desert, the mountain has very dry conditions but there is an extensive glacier on the North face (with crevasses, this is unique in the region) .Elevation: 6,795mFirst ascent: 1937 (Jan Alfred Szczepański)Route: From the base of the mountain (4,500m) several days of hike are required. The mountain is summitted directly from a high camp at 5,900m at the edge of the glacier.Difficulty: non-technicalDays: 6

cerro bertrand - 5,575mThe name of this peak comes from the Chilean geographer and engineer Alejandro Bertrand Huillard (1854-1942). Amongst other things, he was entrusted with defining the border limits with Argentina, worked on the planning of the Catamarca-Atacama railway across the Andes, and was also responsible for the topography of the Andes range between Pas de San Francisco and San Pedro de Atacama. This is an moderate high-altitude trek in an extremely dry, and often very windy climate. Distances here are longer than they seem (approximately 25 km there and back from Las Grutas). The peak has a spectacular crater.Difficulty: non-technicalDays: 1

cerro de san fransisco- 6,016mTAlthough it may be considered one of the world’s ‘easiest’ 6,000m peaks, this is nevertheless a moderate high-altitude trek in an extremely dry, and often very windy climate. Water in the Puna de Atacama is extremely scarce and we will be a very long way from help in the event of an emergencyDifficulty: non-technicalDays: 1

mountains | acclimatisationfalso morocho (quitapenas - 4,500m) This is an easy high-altitude trek that should take just a few hours and will help our bodies adjust to the thin air in the High Andes. At 4,500m, the atmospheric pressure is only 58%, compared to 100% at sea level. This means we have to breathe much harder to get the same amount of oxygen - given the low humidity of the environment, one possible consequence of this lower atmospheric pressure is dehydration, since we lose water vapour with our breath. It is extremely important that we drink a lot of water (up to 5 litres per day). Just for comparison, at the summit of Aconcagua (6,962m), the atmospheric pressure will be around 40%.Difficulty: non-technicalDays: 4

scienceFor the South America 3 Peaks expedition, and future expeditions, Ricky has part-nered with ‘Adventurers & Scientists for Conservation’, whose primary initia-tive is to facilitate partnerships between adventure athletes and the researchers who need them to collect data all around the world. Together, we believe that one of the best ways to have a positive impact on natural environments is to inspire the next generation of adventurers and scientists alike.

Project 1 - Microbe CollectionOrganisation: Biosphere-2, University of ArizonaMicroorganisms are unique colonizers of Earth’s boundaries, such as mountain top surfaces, where they are primary actors in the biogeochemical cycles of nutrients. Together with climatic forces they contribute substantially to the overall function of the mountain landscape, with effects far reaching in the wider biosphere.Small-size rock samples, of about 50g each, will be collected from exposed bedrock on elevation gradients at sites 200m altitude apart during the descent phase of this expedition. A total of 3-5 rocksamples will be collected at each altitude. Local landscape and weather condition

will be recorded in the field, together with sampling site geographical coordinates.

Project 2 - Past & Present Climate Change | Freshwater AvailabilityOrganisation: University of Venice, ItalyMountain glaciers are rapidly melting around the world. The highest documented glacier thinning in the world is occurring at 6,000 metres above sea level. Mountains are essentially high altitude water towers, and store freshwater that provide the source of many of the world’s major rivers. The aim of this study is to investigate the extent of this high altitude melt. Snow & ice samples that we collect will be used to help climate change researchers better understand the spatial distribution of aerosols & other or-ganic pollutants, which contribute to atmo-spheric heating. The data can also be used to help in calculations of freshwater avail-ability and associated water use planning.

Project 3 - Project PressureGlobal climate change is having profound impacts on mountain environments. In order to understand how a changing climate will affect alpine ecosystems and water resources in the future, it is critical to document their current status. The goal ofthis project is to contribute to the Project

Pressure Glacier Archive. Our geo-taggedimages will be paired with comparative im-ages, creating historic timelines, document-ing glacier fluctuations. This information isimportant for scientific research, educa-tion, and capturing public attention. Project Pressure is documenting the world’s van-ishing glaciers in order to highlight the im-pact of climate change, inspiring action and participation. The project will result in the world’s first comprehensive crowdsourced glacier atlas, a touring photographic ex-hibition, a documentary film and an open source digital platform.

Impacts: The repeat photographs of glaciers that we take will support Project Pressure. The snow & ice samples we collect will improve our understanding of the impact of aero-sols & other organic pollutants on climate change & improve water use planning. The rock samples that we collect will help quan-tify the bio transformation of primary bed-rock in the mountain biome.

Ultimately, the photographs and data we collect will help researchers to gain unique insights into the functioning of high mountain ecosystems and will help inform long-term conservation strategies.

In addition to raising funds for Macmillan, a secondary community objective is to inspire people to follow their own dreams. All 3 team members have faced and overcome adversity in their personal and professional lives. We understand the need to create opportunties for self-improvement and the value in setting challenging short- and long-term goals.

believe in yourself | ignore your doubters | make it happen

community

Ricky’s twin uncles Patrick McGowan (left) and Michael McGowan (right) both tragically died of cancer at a relatively young age. Michael passed away in 1998 at the age of 58. Patrick passed away in 2008 at the age of 69. Both of these fine men were well-loved fathers, grandfathers, brothers and uncles. Their passing was devastating for the family and they are still deeply missed. Patrick’s final weeks and months were eased by the incredible support provided by hard-working, compassionate and dedicated Macmillan nurses. The family will always be grateful for that support.

Now, Ricky plans to repay that support by raising funds for Macmillan by completing the South America 3 Peaks expedition.

One in three of us will get cancer and it’s the toughest thing most of us will ever face. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or a loved one has, you’ll want a team of people in your corner supporting you every step of the way.

We provide practical, medical and financial support and push for bet-ter cancer care. The number of people with cancer is growing every day. We want to reach and improve the lives of every one of those people. We are Macmillan Cancer Support.

ricky mundaylocation: Port-au-Prince, Haitid.o.b: 5/1/77profession: chartered accountant & aid workerexperience:1994: 8-week expedition to Kalimantan1996: 3-week expedition to Karakorum in Northern Pakistan, summit of Gondoro Peak (5,500m)1994-97: instruction & supervision of D of E Award candidates2004: completed Marathon des Sables (220km) in Sahara2005: climbed Mont Blanc via the Gouter Ridge (unguided)2006: led 2-man expedition to Khan Tengri (6,995m) -reachedCamp 3 (5,800m)2008: led 3-week Africa 3 Peaks expedition2010: solo Australasia 3 Peaks Glacier expedition to Papua2011: summited Carstensz Pyramid (4,884m)2012: early season expedition to Denali (6,194m) via West Buttress2012: summited Pico de Orizaba (5,636m) in Mexico, 3rd highestpeak in North America, on Xmas Eve

team

carolina morales aragortlocation: Maracay, Venezuelad.o.b: 18/5/70profession: metalsmithexperience: 1992 - 2006: Multiple National Races (Venezuela) of BTT MTB2008 - 2009 - 2010: Reto a la Cumbre De Choroní MTB (30km)2008 - 2009: Multiple National Races (Venezuela) downhill2006 - 2009: Multiple Running Races 10K, 21K , 42K2009: 42K Running Madrid Maraton, Spain2009: Mount Teide, Tenerife, Spain (3,718m) - Spain’s highest mtn2010: 42K Running Madrid Maraton, Spain2010: Anaga Marathon 42K trail , Tenerife Spain2011: GTP Gran Trail Peñalara 110K , 5.000 D + Navacerrada (Ma-drid), Spain2011: CAF 42K running, Caracas Venezuela2011: Ultratrail Race IDACA 80K. La Guaira – Aragua, Venezuela2012: Salomon 4Trails 157.9 K – 9.080 HM2012: Iztaccihuatl (to 4,800m) and Pico de Orizaba (to 5.300 M)

believe in yourself | ignore your doubters | make it happen

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teamdavid kenealylocation: Beirut, Lebanond.o.b: 2/11/76profession: aid workerexperience:1980 – 2013: Hill walking in Ireland 1998: Annapurna Trek, Nepal - to (5,416m)2004: Mt Kaliash trek, Tibet - to Drölma pass (5,500m)2008: Adams Peak (Sri Pada), Sri Lanka (2,243m) 2010: Tsergo Ri, Nepal - Langtang / Helembu trek (4,984m)2011: Mt Lokon, Sulawesi, Indonesia, (1,560m) 2011: Mt Kinabalu, Malaysia, (4,095m) decent by Via Feratta; 2011: Mt Khuiten / Malchin Peak, Mongolia (4,374m); 2011: Mt. Roraima, Venezuela (2,810m)2013: Jagged Globe Winter Summits course, Scotland

other information:Experienced emergency relief aid worker, having worked in Sri Lanka, Kenya, Pakistan, Chile, Bangladesh, Haiti and Lebanon since July 2007. Currently on mission in Beruit (since April 2013) supporting the Syria Crisis with the German Red CrossPADI certified Rescue DiverIANTD certified Cave DiverMember of IFRC Field Assessment and Coordination Team (FACT)

believe in yourself | ignore your doubters | make it happen

trainingCanada - September 2012location: Canadian Rockies, Alberta & Vancouver Island, BCdetails: Cory Pass, Alberta | Coast Trail, East Sooke Regional Park, Vancouver Island

Mexico - December 2012location: Puebla Statedetails: Iztaccihuatl (5,230m) for acclimatisation (reached 4,800m). Summit of Pico de Orizaba (5,636), 3rd highest peak in North America

Haiti - February 2013location: Massif de la Selle, Haitidetails: inaugural Haiti Stage Ascent MTB race (MTB Ayiti) - 2 days | 65 miles | over 10,000ft of ascent

Scotland - April 2013location: Scottish Highlandsdetails: run/trek West Highland Way (152km) | Glasgow to Fort William | 5 days

Venezuela - July 2013location: Canaima National Park, Venezueladetails: ascent of Roraima (2,810m), the highest of the Pakaraima chain of tepui plateau in South America - includes the triple border point of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana

Russia - August 2013location: Caucasus Mountains, Russiadetails: ascent of Elbrus (5,642m), the highest mountain in Europe | 11 days

itinerarymonte pissis

day 11 - Transfer to Base Camp (4,650m)day 12 - Rest day at Pissis BCday 13 - Climb to Camp 1 (5,100m)day 14 - Rest at Camp 1day 15 - Climb to Camp 2 (5,800m)day 16 - summit Pissis (6,893m) day 17 - Return to Pissis BCday 18 - Reserve dayday 19 - Reserve day

ojos del salado

day 20 - Return to Fiambaladay 21 - Rest in Fiambaladay 22 - Transfer to Ojos Del Salado BC (5,513m)day 23 - Climb to High Camp (5,825m)day 24 - Sumit Ojos del Salado + back to BCday 25 - Transfer BC to Fiambala

acclimatisation

day 0 - Fly to Buenos Airesday 1 - Fly to Rioja or Catamarcaday 2 - Transfer to Pastos Largosday 3 - Trek to 4,200m in Pastos Largosday 4 - Pastos Largos - trek to The Cave BC 4,000 mday 5 - Trek to summit of Falso Morocho (4,500m)day 6 - Trek to summit of Cerro de Bertrand (5,300m)day 7 - Trek to Cordobita - 5,500mday 8 - Rest Dayday 9 - Trek to summit of Cerro de San Fransiscday 10 - Rest day in Fiambala

aconcagua

day 26 - Transfer to Mendozaday 27 - Permits for Aconcagua - drive to Penitentes (2.725 m)day 28 - Transfer to Punta de Vacas (trailhead). Trekking to Pampa de Leñas (2,960m)day 29 - Trek to Plaza Argentina Base Camp (4,200m)day 30 - Trek to Camp 1 (4,950m)day 31 - Climb to Camp 2 (5,570m)day 32 - Climb to Camp 3 (5,870m)day 33 - Summit attempt Aconcagua (6,962)day 34 - Return to BC day 35 - Trek out + return to Mendozaday 36 - Return to Rioja / Catamarcaday 37 - Return to Buenos Airesday 38 - Fly out of Buenos AiresENDEX

budget kitIn-Country Logistics $18,600

(including guides, cook, meals & drinks, overland transport, accommodation, 2 days base camp services at Plaza Argen-tina, 1 day base camp services at Plaza de Mules, mules on Aconcagua, all group & camp equipment, tents, stoves etc)

Flights $3,000

Equipment $1,500

Satcomms $1,000

Insurance $1,500

Public Relations $500

Miscellaneous $500

Contingency - 10% $2,660

Total $29,260

MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS: double bootsBOOTIES: Synthetic or down fill booties TRAINERS / SANDALSGAITERSSKI POLES: Adjustable polesBASE LAYER TOP: (1 or 2 sets) Synthetic or Merino options. LIGHT FLEECE TOP: 100 weight, Powerstretch fleece or similar PRIMALOFT JACKET: to fit over shellSHELL JACKET: Tlarge enough to go over two base layers. EXPEDITION PARKA (WITH HOOD): Down - 600-800 fill powerVEST: Fleece, puffy or down vest adds warmthT-SHIRT or SUN SHIRT BASE LAYER BOTTOMS: Merino wool or synthetic bottoms SOFT SHELL PANTS: e.g. SchoellerSHELL PANTS: fully separating side-zips aINSULATED PANTS: synthetic/down pants can be layered over shell pantsREGULAR UNDERWEAR: 2-4 changesSOCKS: 2 - 3 sets of wool or synthetic LIGHT GLOVES: (1 – 2 pair) soft shell glovesINSULATED GLOVES: Warm, insulated gloves are crucial. SUMMIT MITTENS: Warm as possibleWARM HAT: One medium weight, warm hat BUFF + SUN HAT: HAND WARMERS: 3+ sets for summit dayGLACIER GLASSES: with side protection and 100% UVA and UVBSKI GOGGLES: required for adverse weatherEXPEDITION PACK: 60-70 litresLARGE ZIPPERED DUFFEL: 70 - 100L for transporting personal gearEXPEDITION SLEEPING BAG: rated to -20 degrees C (down is preferred)COMPRESSION STUFF SACKSSLEEPING PADS: one closed cell pad + one inflatable padICE AXE (with leash): 70-80 cm lengthCRAMPONS: 10 or 12-point mountaineering crampons HARNESS: with adjustable leg loops. CARABINERSCLIMBING HELMETHEAD TORCHPERSONAL ITEMS

believe in yourself | ignore your doubters | make it happen

This expedition, and the Triple 7 Summits project, represent a unique opportunity for you to promote your brand to your target audience through the direct support of this and future expeditions. You can benefit from a growing online presence and leverage a proven abil-ity to generate media coverage for charitable, adventurous expeditions with clear community objectives.

For more information on the expedition or the Triple 7 Summits project please visit: web: www.rickymunday.comemail: ricky@rickyunday.comtel: +509 3701 1575 (Haiti), or +44 7554 639 113 (UK).

opportunity Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly

Langston Hughes