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Posts from 09/2012

Kilimanjaro: The Climb Begins

Posted by: | September 18, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 9,800'

Time to climb!
We left the Dik Dik hotel early today and headed to Kilimanjaro. We passed many tea, coffee, and banana plantations before we arrived at the southern gate called the Machame gate. Which is also the name of the route we will be climbing. Our team checked in with the local agency that manages the climbs, while our local guides hired porters and split up the 60+ loads that will follow us up the mountain.

We hiked through soaring rainforest and giant heather in route to our camp for the night. It took us just over four hours to reach camp, where we were delighted to find camp already waiting on us.

The staff provided yet another amazing meal for the team and we were even fortunate enough to glimpse a view of the “Roof of Africa” right after dinner.

Everyone is in great spirits and are looking forward to some well earned sleep.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

On The Map

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Kilimanjaro: Team Gathers in Arusha, Tanzania

Posted by: Casey Grom | September 17, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro

Hello everyone,
RMI’s Kilimanjaro expedition is underway.
The team members arrived late last night after some very long flights, two back to back 9 hour legs to be precise. Needless to say we didn’t do much other than check into our hotel and head to bed.
We started today off with a team meeting/orientation to the program and gear check. After getting to know one another a bit we explored the beautiful grounds of the Dik Dik Hotel, which was teaming with monkeys and exotic birds and some views of the surrounding mountains.
The team had a nice lunch then headed off to visit the nearest town of Arusha, a bustling city of about 1.2 million people. Its a diverse culture made up of Christians, Muslims and local tribes people from the Chagga and Masai.
We had a quick stop off at the local grocery store called Shop Rite to pick up a few last snacks, then visited the local cultural museum. We also picked up a few umbrellas to protect us from any rain that might try and dampen our spirits on tomorrows trek.
Last but not least we finished up the night with a delicious five course meal that left everyone with a smile on their face.
Just a few last minute touches on packing and its off to bed.
Everyone is doing great and we are very excited for tomorrow’s start to this grand adventure.

RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

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Mt. Rainier: September 17th Summit!

Posted by: Eric Frank, Elias de Andres Martos | September 17, 2012
Categories: *Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'

Our Four Day Summit Climb September 14 - 17 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning led by RMI Guides Eric Frank and Elias de Andres Martos.  The teams reported calm winds and warm temperatures.  The sky is hazy due to the wildfires in eastern Washington.  They were able to spend some time on the summit before starting their descent around 9 am PT.  The teams will return to Camp Muir to repack and then continue their descent to Paradise.  We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.

Congratulations to today’s summit climb teams!

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Mt. Rainier: September 16th Summit!

Posted by: Tyler Reid, Zeb Blais | September 16, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb led by Tyler Reid and the Five Day Summit Climb led by Zeb Blais were on top of Mt. Rainier this morning in blue skies, light winds, and some smoky haze due to wildfires burning around Washington.  Both teams started their descent from the crater rim just after 8 a.m. They will check in with us from Camp Muir before descending to Paradise.

Day 2 of Mountain Fest is here at Rainier Basecamp.  Check out the mountain gear sale, RMI Guide slideshows, and stop by the RMI tent to enter in our raffle to win a free summit climb!

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Mt. Rainier: September 15th Summit!

Posted by: Billy Nugent | September 15, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb September 12 - 15 led by RMI Guide Billy Nugent reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning.  The team reported calm winds and cold temperatures with high cirrus clouds above.  Shortly after 9 am PT they began their descent from the crater rim.  They will return to Camp Muir and then continue down to Paradise.  We look forward to seeing them in Ashford later today.

Congratulations to today’s summit climbers!

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Mt. Rainier: Muir Expedition Skills Seminar Summit!

Posted by: Mike Walter, Jake Beren | September 13, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'

The Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir stood on top of Mt. Rainier today!  RMI Guide Jake Beren called in at noon to say they were starting their descent back to Camp Muir.  The team has been based out of the 10,000’ high camp all week learning many mountaineering skills to help them achieve their goal of reaching the Mt. Rainier summit.  They have also learned more advanced skills to go on to summit bigger peaks, such as Mt. McKinley in Alaska or Mt. Elbrus in Russia.  The seminar team will stay on the mountain tonight and descend to Paradise tomorrow.

Congratulations to the summit climbers!

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Kilimanjaro: Mike Wyatt Reflects on His Summit Day

Posted by: Mark Tucker | September 10, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro

A climber from Mark Tucker’s Kilimanjaro Climb, Mike Wyatt, composed the following poem about his summit day.

BLUE SNOW by Mike Wyatt

The air is cold, burns the lungs deep – Wish I was in bed fast asleep.
Obsidian night – Black as a raven feather.
Buttery crescent moon shepherds in good weather.
Heavy limbs fight the rocky slope – Trekkers tied by an invisible rope.
The echo of fatigue resonates down the line – Fiery meteorite the color of red wine.
The air is cold, burns the lungs deep – Wish I was in bed fast asleep.
Blindly pushing forward, we pass another team – What is reality? What is a dream?
Summiteers from years past whisper in my ear – not give in, for the peak is near.
I chase the heels before me repeatedly catching my breath – One unconscious slip could mean injury or death.
Tangerine pink color accent the sky – It’s pure silent beauty is no lie.
The crater rim now in sight – Ebullient hikers descend in weary flight.
Icy dry wind burns my face – Tired scarred boots don’t leave a trace.
The air still cold burns the lungs deep – I’m glad I am not in bed fast asleep.
For the glacier’s blue snow is still cold, hard and deep.

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Mt. Rainier: September 10th Summit!

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Geoff Schellens | September 10, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'

At 9:30am the Four Day Summit Climb teams led by RMI Guides Billy Nugent and Geoff Schellens we descending from the crater rim.  They reported 60+ mph winds on the summit.  The teams are making their descent back to Camp Muir and will be back in Ashford late the afternoon.

The Expedition Skills Seminar – Muir is beginning their ascent to Camp Muir where they will spend the week training.

Congratulations to today’s summit climb teams and good luck to the Expedition Skills Seminar!

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Mt. Rainier: September 9th Update

Posted by: Casey Grom, Pete Van Deventer | September 09, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount Rainier
Elevation: 11,400'

The Mount Rainier Summit Climb led by Pete Van Deventer and Casey Grom were unable to make a summit attempt due to continual lightning last night.  The teams did venture over to Ingraham Flats this morning and are currently experiencing sunshine with the cloud deck between 7,000’ - 8,000’ feet.  After they spend some time on the upper mountain, the teams will descend back to Camp Muir and onto Paradise.

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Mt. Rainier: September 8th Summit!

Posted by: Mike Walter, Eric Frank | September 08, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mount Rainier
Elevation: Summit

Our Four Day Summit Climb teams led by RMI Guides Mike Walter and Eric Frank are standing on the summit of Mt. Rainier today.  Eric reported 10 – 15 mph winds, and beautiful weather.  They will spend about an hour on the summit before starting the descent back to Camp Muir.

Congratulations to today’s teams!

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