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Posts for Kilimanjaro from 08/2011

Kilimanjaro: Tucker and Team’s Trek & Safari Comes to an End

Posted by: Mark Tucker | August 19, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro

Hello this is RMI Guide Mark Tucker checking in from the Dik Dik Hotel in Tanzania.  We completed our safari today after an exciting night at the Kikoti Camp.  There were elephants just outside our doors last night and literally brushing up against the tent.  We returned to the Dik Dik to collect all of luggage, rest and relax.  We had another great meal here before being transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport for our out bound flights. 
Thanks to all of our team members for a great adventure.  We hope to you all another time!

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Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Visit the Masaii Village

Posted by: Mark Tucker | August 17, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro

Jambo!

Today we visited the Ngorongoro Crater.  It was a bit cloudy and cool on the way in this morning so we visited with the friendly Maasai Village for dancing and shopping.  The hut life may not be for everyone but it is their way of life and they have adapted just fine. Visiting the village is a nice option to pick up some handmade trinkets and support the local economy, then down in the crater we went.  Still a bit cool so we were all glad to have brought some of our fine First Ascent warm gear to make the safari vehicle ride more comfortable.  The cats and rhino tried to hide but our pro spotter-of-a-driver was able to point out these magnificent animals.  We were in awe of all the types of animals that lingered around the beautiful forest of huge Acacia trees.  Luckily we spotted some lions just before we left the park entrance just beyond the crater.

The team is doing well and looking forward to our five-course dinner at the luxury Plantation Lodge.

RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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Kilimanjaro: Enjoying Lake Manyara National Park

Posted by: Mark Tucker | August 16, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro

This group of climbers sure knows how to adapt to safari life.

After breakfast we set good bye to our home-bound teammates and jumped in our vehicle for the plains of Africa.  We made a quick stop in the town of Arusha to fill our cool with refreshing beverages and then headed out of town.  We arrived at Lake Manyara, our first of three National Wildlife Parks that we will be visiting while on safari.  Lake Manyara National Park is not the largest park around but it is easy to get to and has a great number of wildlife. Personally, it is one of my favorite places as it is home to the Strangler Fig tree. Right as you enter the park these amazing trees are all over the place, and are homes for groups of monkey and baboon. When mature the pure size and color of the trees are amazing with huge fluted trunks to boot. We had a picnic lunch in the middle of the bush surrounded by nature and otherwise all to our selves.  A few tosses of the frisbe for a little exercise and back to work looking for animals to fall prey to our camera lens. Elephants, zebra, Wart hog, giraffe, Rock Hyrex, Dik Dik, Impala, Water buck, Cape Buffalo, Hippo, Vervet Monkey and loads of birds under clear skies in the afternoon.

When we had taken lots of pictures and explored most of the park we headed off to the Plantation Lodge.  We will spend the next two nights at the beautiful hotel near the Ngorongoro Crater.  Tomorrow we will head down to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater looking for cats and rhino, and other animals that might cross our path.  After a climb of Kilimanjaro this is the life!

RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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Kilimanjaro: Team Makes Final Trek Out to Mweka Gate

Posted by: Mark Tucker | August 15, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro

Jambo from the Dik Dik Hotel,

From our last camp on Kilimanjaro we could see the upper mountain in the moon light.  It always seems crazy that we were way up there just hours earlier.  Probably only about five miles as a crow files but it seemed like a million after our long day. 

We had a great dinner at Mweka Camp and everyone quickly retired into their sleeping bags.  Sleep came easy back in the thick air of 10,000’.  This morning we trekked the final three and a half hours to the Mweka Gate and enjoyed a nice closing ceremony with our mountain staff.  It takes many local guides, cooks, porters and mountain staff to complete such an amazing adventure and we are grateful for their help and support. 

We completed our paperwork with Kilimanjaro National Park and had a quick lunch in the courtyard before loading our vehicle for the drive back to the Dik Dik Hotel.  After nice hot showers we enjoyed a wonderful celebration dinner at the Dik Dik’s restaurant.

Tomorrow three of our team members will start their travels back to the U.S.  For the rest of us, our adventure continues to Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Parks for a game viewing safari.  We can’t wait!  The Dik Dik Staff is already getting our Land Cruiser ready for our morning departure. Great trip so far and still more to come!

RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Descend to Mweka Camp

Posted by: Mark Tucker | August 14, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 10,000'

Our team had a great summit day on Kilimanjaro.  As we left Baranco Camp, our high camp, at 15,000’ on our summit attempt there was a thin layer of clouds that insulated us and provided a nice temperature for our midnight climb.  The beautiful and bright moon lit our way and our headlamps remained in our pack.  As we reached Stella Point, 18,680’, the wind picked up and we added more layers of clothing as we continued our ascent.  As we reached the true summit of Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak, the winds subsided and we enjoyed spectacular views in all directions. 

We have now reached Mweka Camp at 10,000’ and our last camp on the mountain.  It has been a long day and everyone is tired from their efforts ascending and descending this mountain.  I would like to thank the team for a great job on the climb and for the mountain for allowing us to stand on the summit today.

RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team on the “Roof of Africa”

Posted by: | August 14, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 19,340'

Congratulations to RMI Guide Mark Tucker and the Kilimanjaro Team for reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro on August 14th! The team had a good summit day with cold temperatures but everyone did very well.  This is Mark’s 25th summit of Kilimanjaro, a true milestone.

After reaching the summit the team will descend to Barafu Camp at 15,000’ where they will eat, change and pack their gear to continue down the mountain.

We expect to hear from them later today once they have reached Mweka Camp at 10,000’ for their final night on the mountain. 

Congratulations to Mark and the summit team!

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Kilimanjaro:  Tucker & Team Arrive at High Camp

Posted by: | August 13, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 15,000'

As we went to bed last night at Karanga Camp we were rewarded with a clear skies and a beautiful sunset.  We left the Karanga Camp this morning en route for our high camp on Kilimanjaro, Barafu located at 15,000’.

The infamous Kili Natural Arch showed itself on our climb.  The arch is ;ocated on the ridge between the Breach Wall and the Great Baranco I would guess it stands a few hundred feet tall with a large opening.  It may be an expedition in it’s self but is a beautiful sight from a far.  As we climbed out of camp this morning the skies were clear above for views of the Heim,Kerstin and the Deken glaciers.  As we climbed higher we noticed the lack of vegetation and commented about the the moon scape effect. 
The team made good time to Barafu Camp and just as we pulled in it began to sleet/ rain.  Lucky for us the tents were set up and we headed for the shelter of our personal and dining tents.  The rain has stopped and the skies have cleared a bit.  There are still a few clouds both above and below us.

Our plan for this evening is an early dinner followed by a short rest and hopefully some sleep before we are aroused at midnight for our summit attempt.  Summit night is upon us!

The team is in good shape and high spirits, just a bit of good weather and some luck should get us to the Roof of Africa.

We will check in again soon!

RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Reach Karanga Camp

Posted by: | August 12, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro

Hello from Karanga Camp!

Barranco Wall fails to stop RMI team from getting closer to the summit!  We slowed our departure from camp in hopes of missing rush hour on the wall.  No view of the top but nice temperature because of the clouds.  Four hours later here we are at Karanga Camp at 13,000-feet plus.  Snacks on the way to a hot lunch at camp.  Lunch consisted of spaghetti and tomato sauce, which was a big hit.  With the team eating and drinking as needed, it helps fuel us and keep our strength up as we move closer to summit day.  A nice short climb today and tomorrow will get us ready for the summit climb tomorrow night.

We are looking down at the sea of clouds below, which is not unusual for the lower regions.  Another great reason to be up here!  Darn the luck missing out on the upper mountain views, so we continue to enjoy the incredible geological features we pass as we go.  During the descent into the Karanga Valley you pass this 60-foot overhanging cave that I know I could atleast get a few moves on.  Another time, we have a mountain to climb!  It’s so nice that none of our gear is wet from the rain, and our packs and boots are working well.  It sure helps make the climb a bit more manageable.  Nice easy afternoon with stories a-flying, reading , and taking in the views.

RMI Guide Mark Tucker

On The Map

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Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team at Barranco Camp

Posted by: | August 11, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,800'

Jambo from Barranco Camp!

The team had their best night of sleep yet.  We were walking in the fog this morning and still no views of the upper mountain.  It was perfect hiking weather and altitude records for the group over 14,800’.  We all cruised into camp looking and feeling well.  The hike took 6 hours and 15 minutes.  Some sun and the first view of the upper mountain was a treat to us all here at Barranco Camp, which is just under 13,000’.  Lots of photos with the unique giant groundsel tree that grows at this elevation. We are planning on rolling slow out of camp tomorrow because of the short distance to Karanga Camp. The team was happy to hear they get to sleep in.

The team continues to do well.  We had some communication problems yesterday so we apologize for not getting a dispatch out.  We’ll check in tomorrow from Karanga Camp.

RMI Guide Mark Tucker

On The Map

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Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Enjoy First Day on the Trail

Posted by: | August 09, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 9,800'

Hello from Kilimanjaro,

After a great breakfast at the Dik Dik Hotel, we loaded our bags and packs into the vehicle and headed for our objective, Kilimanjaro.  We arrived at the Machame Gate, our entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park, and after registering our team for the climb began the trek to our first camp.  It felt great to stretch our legs after the many hours of travel and we were excited to get started after the many months of training and planning.  We started out in a light rain but were quickly walking under the canopy cover of the lush forest and were able to shed our rain gear.  It was a very pleasant hike with beautiful weather and glimpses of monkeys in the trees above. 

We reached the Machame Camp (9,800’) after six hours on the trail.  Aside from a little mud on our boots, everyone was dry and happy upon arriving in camp.  We enjoyed our first great meal on the mountain, prepared by our mountain staff, of hot soup and fresh vegetables from the Dik Dik garden.. 

We are settling into camp for our first night on the mountain.

RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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