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Entries from Kilimanjaro


Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Bid Their Farwells

Hello everyone

We spent yesterday and this morning touring Tarangire National Park which is home to many elephants, in fact, it has more per square kilometer than any place on earth and it didn’t disappoint. There were plenty of other animals as usual, and we got pretty close to a few lions, which was amazing. We also managed to see a leopard and a Pearl Spotted Owlet, which were some of the highlights.

We ended our day at a remote and off grid camp within the National Park and surrounded by wildlife. The camp has screened in rooms that allow the night sounds of Africa in.

It's been a memorable experience for everyone and great friendships forged. But finally it's time to return home to our families.

Thanks for following

Casey and the Safari crew!

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Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Visit Ngorongoro Crater

Today we visited the famous Ngorongoro Crater, and considered by many to be the 8th natural  wonder of the world. The crater is what remains of a once massive volcano that erupted and collapsed onto itself, leaving behind a giant caldera that's almost exactly 100 square miles.

We were able to see several lions and it was exciting to be close to those big cats! As we made our way around the crater we saw tons of other wildlife, zebras, Cape buffalo, wildebeest, Giselles, countless raptors and many other large birds. It was quite a day to say the least, and I'm certain one that won't be forgotten by anyone.

Before heading home we made a quick stop by to visit a Maasai village. The Maasai are a semi nomadic ethnic group that live a very simple life in remote areas of Tanzania.

We finished the evening here at the plantation lodge and are looking forward to what tomorrow may bring as we head to Tarangire National Park.

RMI Guide Casey and the Safari crew

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Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Explore Lake Manyara National Park

Safari time!

Today was our first day of safari and we headed west to visit the beautiful Lake Manyara. Lake Manyara is a brief stopping ground for many migratory animals and home to more than 300 different birds.

Everyone enjoyed the day cruising around in our safari vehicles with cold beverages in hand while seeing the animals up close and in their natural habitat.

We managed to see a few zebras, Impala and a tons of baboons, plus many elephants up close. The highlight was seeing a very large python high up in a tree canopy. It was an amazing introduction to the incredible diversity of wildlife that Tanzania has and the team is very excited to seeing more animals tomorrow.

We wrapped up the evening with a wonderful meal at our new lodge.

RMI Guide Casey Grom & the safari crew

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Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Complete Climb

Our final day on the mountain!

Today the gang got up at 6:30 refreshed after a much needed nights sleep, we had breakfast, then hit the trail one last time. It took just around three hours to reach the park gate where the team had lunch and said our final goodbyes to our amazing crew that took such great care of us on the mountain. 

We finished the little celebration by handing out their well deserved tips and then hopped aboard our awaiting bus for the ride back to the lodge. 

Finally we are all safe and sound, cleaner, and smelling fresh after an exciting 7 day journey up and down Kilimanjaro. 

Stayed tuned, Safari starts tomorrow!

RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

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Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Reach Kilimanjaro Summit!

We did it!!!

All team members safely back to high camp after standing on the “Roof of Africa”.  

The team did a great job climbing and stayed positive even though it was tough at times. It was slightly chilly and busier than we would have liked, however, our early departure saved us from the more than 100+ climbers all stuffed together. We even had the summit to ourselves for a little while. 

We spent about about 30 minutes on the summit celebrating, taking photos and even made a few phone calls to loved ones back home. 

We are headed down the mountain to our final camp in the thick warm air at 10’000ft, where we’ll have dinner then head off to bed for some well deserved sleep. 

RMI Guide Casey Grom and a happy Kili team!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Wow! Congratulations!!!!!! What a wonderful achievement and experience for you all! Good luck with the journey back down.

Posted by: Tania Walls on 9/11/2023 at 6:21 am

Congratulations from the NG CSMR Team! Especially to our truly fearless leader Rebecca Torzone! So exciting!  Now for the easy part…?  Safe descent to you all!

Posted by: Cristi Mello on 9/11/2023 at 3:24 am


Kilimanjaro: Grom and Team Reach High Camp

Hello again everyone!

The team had a good night’s rest last night and today was just a short 3hr hike up to 15’000ft to our high camp. It started out sunny, but then quickly clouded up thankfully making for great hiking temperatures. The Equatorial sun at this elevation is quite intense, a little break was needed. 

The team has just wrapped up lunch and discussed in great detail the plan for tomorrow’s climb. Everyone knows what we’ll be wearing, what will be in the pack, as well as the schedule. 

Our game plan will be to wake at 10:30pm and have a quick breakfast at 11, then hopefully hit the trail right around 11:30pm. The team has been doing great thus far and I’m expecting us to reach the summit in 7 to 8hrs if things go according to plan. 

As per usual on a Casey climb, one lucky trivia winner will get a phone call from the summit. 

So, everyone back home please keep your phones handy and if you receive a call from a strange number please answer. We are 8+hrs ahead of the east coast time zone. 

Wish us luck!

RMI Guide Casey and the Summit Bound Crew

Leave a Comment For the Team (1)

Good luck everyone you guys are almost to the top!! Wishing everyone a safe journey to summit. Kirsten you better brush up on your trivia.

Posted by: Kate Nayda on 9/10/2023 at 6:01 am


Kilimanjaro: Grom and Crew Reach Karanga Camp

Hello again everyone! 

Right out of camp the team was faced with the only significant technical obstacle for this climb. This hurdle is the great Barranco Wall, which rises about 1000ft and looks as intimidating as it sounds. Thankfully there is a nice narrow trail that weaves its way up and through the wall and all the way to the top. Most of it feels more like steep hiking, but there are a few places that require the use of our hands to help us climb up. 

The team did an amazing job of moving steadily and allowing a few porters to pass with their loads precariously balanced on their heads. It was incredibly busy, but the team cruised through easily. Everyone said it was the highlight thus far!

After reaching the top we took a nice break and enjoyed the intermittent views of the ice ladened south face and valleys below between the passing clouds. The team continued our hike for a few more hours up and down through a few valleys before reaching today’s endpoint. 

All in all, it took only about 4 hours for us to reach our next camp called Karanga, named for the big and beautiful valley which it overlooks. 

RMI Guide Casey Grom and Crew!

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Ode to Dylan Part 2 (To the tune of “Beat It”)

Elliot Merrill said you better pay your dues
Or your house you’ll lose, you’re a weird mountaineer
Mount Kilimanjaro is where your adventure will start
So climb it, just climb it

Get your gear, show no fear and summit
Don’t wanna hear excuses, cuz you’re a Florida mountaineer
Seeking tanzanite, not at a cruise site
So climb it, and reach the mountain’s peak

Just climb it (climb it), climb it (climb it)
We all want you to achieve it
Prove you’re no flunky and climb with your might
It doesn’t matter about the weather
Just climb it (climb it)
Just climb it (climb it)
Just climb it (climb it)
Just climb it (climb it, uh)

The mountain’s expanse brings me no fear
I left the sandy shores of Florida to get here
Back at home, my wild little dog doesn’t even care
So Climb it, just climb it

My eyes on the peak, taking one step at a time
With the heat of Africa pulsing through my veins, I’m aflame
My air gets even thinner as I ascend
But I know I will contend
So Climb it, show how much fun it is

Just climb it (climb it), climb it (climb it),
We all want you to achieve it
Prove you’re no flunky and climb with your might
It doesn’t matter about the weather

Just climb it (climb it), climb it (climb it)
We all want you to achieve it
Prove you’re no flunky and climb with your might
It doesn’t matter about the weather
Just climb it (climb it, climb it, climb it)
Climb it (climb it, climb it)

Climb it (climb it, climb it)
Climb it (climb it, climb it)

Climb it (climb it, climb it)

3x’s
Just climb it (climb it), climb it (climb it)
We all want you to achieve it
Prove you’re no flunky and climb with your might
It doesn’t matter about the weather

Just climb it (climb it), just climb it (climb it)

Posted by: Heather Reingold on 9/9/2023 at 9:18 am

I don’t know if the climbers can see these comments (hopefully they can at some point/someone is reading these to them) but wanted to let my mom (Rebecca) know I’m proud of her and wishing her well! I’m in good spirits for my MCAT tomorrow — going to give it my all and make it to the end of that test just like you’re going to make it to the top of that mountain. You’re forever my biggest role model. Love you!!

Posted by: Sarah Torzone on 9/8/2023 at 3:56 pm


Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Ascend to Barranco Camp

Howdy everyone back home. 

All is well in Tanzania. We’ve had great weather and the team is humming along really well. 

We hit the trail just after 8am and hiked for an hour before taking our usual 15 minute break, then back on the trail for another hour and so on. All total today we hiked for just over 6 hours before reaching Barranco camp. Our gracious Kilimanjaro porters have been working very hard and we arrive once again to a camp set up and ready for us. 

Along the way we passed around the famous Lava Tower reaching just over 15,000ft setting new altitude records for many. We also passed by many of the giant groundsels and towering Senecio trees that made us feel as if we were in some crazy Dr. Zuess story. 

The team is in good spirits and doing great. 

RMI Guide Casey Grom

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Climb every mountain
Ford every stream
Follow every rainbow
‘Till you find your dream
A dream that will need
All the love you can give
Every day of your life
For as long as you live!

Posted by: Heather Reingold on 9/8/2023 at 9:48 am

Ode to Dylan
To the tune of Toto’s Africa
She cares for my Chiweenie through the night,
As I climb up Kilimanjaro’s rocky height,
I’m chasing dreams on that African peak so high, but she’s at home, living in Peppertree.
She may not scale mountains, but her love is true. She’ll care for our Chiweenie and wait for me in the stillness of the night. She’ll ensure Nick is happy while I chase the stars. She’ll feed our dog ice cream.
She’s a loyal wife, stayin’ by my side, caring for our Chiweenie. Love will be my guide, though I’m far away. No need for Casey. In the shadow of Kilimanjaro, our love’s a sacred place.
The stars above twinkle in my eyes as my wife cares for our Chiweenie, who can be a meanie. With a wild chiweenie, she treads her own terrain, While I’m on that mountain, facing wind and rain.
She may not scale mountains, but her love is true. She’ll care for our Chiweenie and wait for me in the stillness of the night. She’ll watch him sleep while I chase the stars. She’ll keep our home free from company.
She’s a loyal wife, stayin’ by my side, caring for our Chiweenie. Love will be our guide, no need for Casey. I feel her heart’s embrace in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. Her love’s a sacred place.
As I reach the summit with the world below, I know her love is the reason. It’s what makes me grow through the icy winds and the mountain’s might. I’ll return to her in the warm and gentle night.
She may not scale mountains, but her love is true. She’ll care for our Chiweenie and wait for me in the stillness of the night. She’ll ensure Nick is happy, and with DJ Vista on the screen, she’ll keep our home clean.
She’s a loyal wife, stayin’ by my side, caring for our Chiweenie. Love will be our guide, not Casey, I feel her heart’s embrace in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. Our love’s a sacred place.
With tanzanite aglow, Kilimanjaro will be our sacred place. She’s a loyal wife with a Chiweenie’s embrace. Our love’s a sacred place where we dream of a Labrador’s embrace.

Posted by: Heather Reingold on 9/7/2023 at 5:38 pm


Kilimanjaro: Grom and Team Reach Shira Camp

Our team moved to Shira Camp today. Everyone moved efficiently on the trail as we left the Cloud Forrest and approached the Giant Heather zone. Within a few short hours we were at camp soaking in the views as we overlooked the Great Rift Valley. After a day and a half in the forest, we felt like we could see for miles. We are enjoying our time in camp, the food is delicious, and we are having great conversation in our dining tent. Cribbage anyone? 

Tomorrow, we tackle the Barranco Wall,

RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Killi Crew

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Sounds like you’re all off to a great start. We’re enjoying your posts and photos. Have a good trek to the Barranco Wall tomorrow!

Posted by: Ted and Patti reingold on 9/6/2023 at 5:12 pm

Congratulations on your progress,
12 feet is mind boggling!
Thank you for providing great updates and photos.
We’re enjoying them immensely.

Posted by: Kristina Miano on 9/6/2023 at 4:15 pm


Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Start Climb of Kilimanjaro

Hello everyone,

Today the we had an early start and left behind our beautiful lodge as we have headed to the mountain towards the start of the climb. We left around 8 am and drove along the rural country side and small villages for two hours before reaching the park entrance. 

Most of the area surrounding Kilimanjaro has been cultivated and primarily used for coffee and banana production, plus a variety of other agriculture needs. There are still a few areas that have been untouched and resemble more of a savannah that Tanzania is known for. Kilimanjaro’s base is mostly forested and resembles more of a jungle, this area is called the cloud forest. 

Once we arrived at the park gate we had all of our gear weighed and divided into loads for our porters and other staff to carry before hitting the trail. Once everything was in order we started our climb slowly making our way up the winding trail that ascends continuously through the thick forest. Thankfully the overhead canopy provided a bit of relief from the hot sun overhead. 

The team hiked for about five hours and reached our camp for the night that sits around 10,000'. After settling into camp and getting situated the team was served a nice warm meal for dinner. 

Everyone is doing well and looking forward to a good night's rest. 

RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Thank you for the updates! Sending love and positivity to Rebecca, Chad, and Jodi!

Posted by: Sarah Torzone on 9/6/2023 at 4:56 pm

Thank you Casey for keeping us informed of the daily progress. We look forward to your updates! Good luck to everyone, enjoy the journey and stay safe!

Posted by: Tania Walls on 9/6/2023 at 11:24 am

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