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Posts for Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Settle in at the Base of Barranco Wall

Posted by: Casey Grom | September 20, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,800'

It was another wonderful day here on Kilimanjaro with clear skies to start the day. We hiked for just about six hours all total today starting at 12,200’ and then climbed up to 15,300’ and then descended back down to 12,800’. Everyone did great and thoroughly enjoyed the climb and many of the team members set new altitude records for themselves. The climb took us up across the Shira Plateau, traversed over to Lava Tower and then underneath the Arrow Glacier. We then descended into a valley that sits at the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Along the way we stopped and admired the unique vegetation that is only found in the high altitude of Africa. We saw many giant lobelias, groundsels and hundreds of Senicio trees that look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book.

The team is now resting comfortably in camp and are looking forward to climbing the Barranco Wall tomorrow.

RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

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Kilimanjaro: Team Ascends to Shira Plateau

Posted by: Casey Grom | September 19, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,200'

We were greeted by crystal clear skies this morning which allowed some amazing views of Kilimanjaro and the route ahead. The team did a great job this morning getting packed up and hitting the trail after a breakfast full of fresh bread, fresh fruits and fried eggs. Not to mention the 10 hours of sleep we had!

The trail out of camp slowly climbed out of the forest and up onto the Shira Plateau. We watched in amazement as the porters moved past us with ease while balancing loads on their heads. Our crew certainly out did themselves by having prepared another feast for lunch about half way up the climb. It was a nice surprise to arrive at lunch with the tables and chairs waiting on us.

It took us about five hours to reach our next camp on the plateau and again camp was set up and our group was happily awaiting our arrival.
Needless to say the team had a wonderful day and everyone is doing great. We will rest here at 12,200’ for the night to help with acclimatization and will head up again tomorrow morning.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

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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

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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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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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Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Return to Dik Dik

Posted by: Mark Tucker | August 17, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro

Jambo!

We are back to where we started, the Dik Dik Hotel.  We have just finished a wonderful photo safari in Tanzania visiting Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks.  We spent three nights in the African bush at two different tented camp lodges.  This is an incredible way to view the wildlife and experience the excitement of Africa.  Check out the photo below from our team mate Steve.  Steve took this photo from the Kikoti Camp on our last night in Tanzania.

Today, on our way back to the Dik Dik Hotel, we made a visit to a local orphanage to visit with our friends, drop some gifts for the children and check out the progress they are making on all of their projects.

Now we are back at the Dik Dik Hotel, repacking our gear and trying to fit all of our new treasures safely into our suitcase for the journey home.  We will have dinner and then head to the airport for our evening flights.

It has been a great trip and we appreciate you following along on our adventure.  I hope to see you on Mt. Rainier in September and if you are in Ashford drop by the Rainier Mountain Festival and say hello.

RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Celebrate During Last Night on Safari

Posted by: Mark Tucker | August 16, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro

Mark Tucker checking in from Tarangire National Park. Another fabulous day of game viewing. What can I say? We had a birthday celebration this evening. Cake, balloons, singing, gifting. Very nice evening here at the lodge, a tented camp with a big bonfire…  All is well… We’ll be back at the Dik Dik tomorrow.

RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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Kilimanjaro: Mark Tucker and team visit a Maasai Boma

Posted by: Mark Tucker | August 15, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro

Mark Tucker checking in from Tanzania we have had another beautiful day out here on Safari.  The Ngorongoro Crater is spectacular showing itself off to the team. The Maasai just keep getting richer. We visited one of their bomas today and invested.  The checked luggage that we are bringing home is going to be pretty filled up. 

We are off the Tarangire National Park tomorrow and one more night at a tented camp out near Kikoti Rock. We will keep you posted on the adventures of the team.

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Kilimanjaro: Mark Tucker & Team Visit Lake Manyara

Posted by: Mark Tucker | August 14, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro

Mark Tucker here checking in from Kirurumo, a luxury tented lodge.  Half of the team began their journey homeward bound.  We wish them all the best on their travels.  We stopped at Lake Manyara for some safari game viewing and ended up here.  We are about a quarter of the way to Ngorongoro Crater,  so a little bit of a drive tomorrow, but more safari in our near future.  A luxury tented camp once again doesn’t look like anything on the mountain and everybody is enjoying it.

All is good, having a blast.  Wish you were all here

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Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team Finish Climb, Look Forward to safari

Posted by: Mark Tucker | August 13, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Kilimanjaro

Hello,
We finished our trek of Kilimanjaro today as we hiked the final leg out from Mweka Camp (10,000’) to the Mweka Gate (6,000’) and said goodbye to our mountain staff.
We met our driver and transferred back to the Dik Dik Hotel.  After nice showers we enjoyed a great dinner celebration.  We have some tired and sore team mates but everyone is very happy.

We are getting excited for the safari adventure that starts in the morning!

Please check out the photo below of Jan and Clint on the summit of Kilimanjaro on August 11th.  The flag they are holding has been flown: on Mt. Rainier, Cotopaxi (Ecuador), Ixtaccihuatl & Pico de Orizaba (Mexico), the U.S. Capital, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, during Desert Storm, Fort Leavenworth, Albania, Germany during the removal of the Berlin Wall, and during Clint’s retirement ceremony from the U.S. Army as Colonel.

RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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