Aconcagua

Crossing a stream on muleback

Aconcagua is a tall mountain in Argentina. It is the highest mountain outside of Asia. Tam writes about tough equipment and links to a New York Times story about a 1973 attempt to climb it.

The above picture comes from that story. I am amazed that the mules are able to keep their footing in that torrent of water. I don't think a person would be able to do it. Mules have relatively skinny legs compared to their body mass, and their hooves are probably better adapted to  stepping on jagged rocks and they must have an impressive circulation system to keep those legs from freezing in that freezing water.

Why do horses or dogs ever even obey people? Trust and food, I suppose.