Entries from Kilimanjaro
We traveled to Kilimanjaro National Park today. We registered with the Park and we began our climb. We left the cultivation zone where bananas and coffee plants abound and we entered the forest zone. The lush rainforest of Kilimanjaro's lower slopes were covered in mist.
The trail, which is an old jeep trail, soon narrowed into a beautiful trail that winded through thick vegetation and enormous trees. We kept an eye out for the elusive Blue and Colobus monkeys but they were hiding from the rain.
As we approached Machame Camp we left the forest zone and into the Heather and Moorland zone. We saw some heather that is over 30 feet tall! It's nice to be at 10,000 feet and the team is doing great!
RMI Guide JJ Justman
On The Map
Hello from Barranco Camp on Kilimanjaro.
We are set up in this beautiful valley with the Giant Senecia trees all around. The crew did great today on our 6.5 hour hike. The day started off cloudy, cold and windy after a little weather system moved in overnight. But by the time we reached our high point at 14,900' the wind was dying and the sun was out. The temperature crept up and up as we descended to camp and it is quite comfortable now. We will relax for the rest of the afternoon and evening and get fueled up for the Barranco Wall tomorrow.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
On The Map
Posted by: JJ Justman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Today our Orlando Kilimanjaro Team slept in after a long flight. We organized gear and got ready for our upcoming climb. After lunch we explored the area and visited an orphanage where the beautiful children of this area touched our hearts. Please visit tupendanechildren.org.
Love the updates! So excited for all of you! Have a fantastic time and be safe! Xo
Posted by: Jamie on 8/8/2015 at 7:08 am
Dale and team, wishing you all the very best! How you are ELL having fun and taking it in!!
To the young folks. Take care of Mr Dale!!!
Posted by: Ken nason on 8/7/2015 at 3:58 pm
Jambo! This is Seth checking in. I finally received my luggage and can now begin to send reports from the mountain. I have to thank the wonderful staff at the Dik Dik hotel for getting my bag delivered to 12,500' on Kilimanjaro.
The group is all doing really well. We have had two excellent days on the trek so far. Our camp tonight is at the Shira Plateau which gives us a wonderful view of the summit. The weather has been just fine as well. We had a few drops of rain yesterday but we had already arrived in camp when that started. Everyone is climbing strong. I'll check in again tomorrow.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
On The Map
Seth- great posts! Way to go Rachel, Andrew, Catie, and the rest of the gang.
Posted by: Karla on 8/12/2015 at 8:01 am
Seth, take good care of the Texan on the trip. Enjoy the climb. Mark
Posted by: mark miller on 8/8/2015 at 5:45 am
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Jambo from Africa everyone!
We have had an exciting last two days as we made our way to Tarangire National Park, known for their abundance of elephants, in fact, they have more elephants per square kilometer than any other place on earth.
Yesterday we spent about four hours driving through the park, which is mostly a savannah with a river running through it. We saw hundreds of elephants, zebra, wildebeest, Impala, Élan and plenty of other wildlife too.
We spent the night out in the African bush in a remote tented camp called Kikoti that overlooks Tarangire Park. We arrived to watch the beautiful sunset one last time and then enjoyed yet another wonderful meal.
Today we finished our safari with our drive back through Tarangire where we had hoped to see a leopard or cheetah, but sadly it wasn't to be. We have all enjoyed our last few days here in Africa and everyone is looking forward to getting back to the Dik Dik Hotel for one last shower before heading to the airport.
Missing all of our families and most of our friends ;)
Thanks for following.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and a happy crew
Posted by: JJ Justman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro...Kilimanjaro!!! Team Orlando is in full effect!! The entire team flew together to Tanzania and we just finished a great dinner. I am going to let you know why I love guiding here in Africa...The People!
It has been two years since my last trip here and as soon as I arrived I was welcomed with the kindest smiles and warmest hugs. Our local staff are like family to me and it's so nice to see how lovely they treat our teams.
We are so happy to be here!!
RMI Guide JJ Justman
All smiles after arriving, continue your great adventure and enjoy!! keep posting pics, they’re wonderful.
Be safe~all
April Winchester (xoxo Whitney)
Posted by: April Winchester on 8/7/2015 at 8:46 am
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hello once again everyone
This was a marvelous day as we visited the famous Ngorongoro Crater, considered by some to be the 8th wonder of the world. We started early with hopes of catching more of the elusive wildlife.
Today we saw more Zebras, Cape buffalo, wildebeest, gazelles than anyone expected, in fact at such close range that we could almost touch them. We also saw plenty of hyenas, ostrich, Impala, hippos and got very close to a few lions, which was a highlight for everyone and even managed to spot a Rhino off in the distance. Needless to say it was a wonderful day of well deserved safari.
We then wrapped up the day with a visit to a working Maasai village. The Maasai are the local nomadic people that have inhabited this area for more than a thousand years and still try to exist with their same way of life.
Finally we returned to the amazing Plantation lodge to relax and enjoy another wonderful meal.
All is well!
RMI Guide Casey Grom
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Today was our first day of safari and we headed to Lake Manyara National Park. It took a little over 2 hours to get there as we drove through Arusha and then the vast rural savannah of Tanzania. It's situated at the base of the eastern Great Rift Escarpment, and is home the the famous tree climbing lions, over 450 different birds, huge troops of baboons, hippos, and most of the other African animals.
It's been rather dry this year and unfortunately we didn't see the famous lions, but we did see plenty of other wildlife up close.
After spending a couple of hours of safari we made our way to the wonderful Plantation Lodge where we've been enjoying being spoiled and just finished another fantastic meal.
Everyone is doing great and are excited to see what tomorrow brings as we head to Ngorongoro Crater.
RMI Guide Casey Grom
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hello again everyone.
What an amazing two days it has been! Yesterday's climb of Kilimanjaro couldn't have gone better. It was a beautiful and calm night and there was nearly a full moon that illuminated our way, although we had headlamps, we could easily have climbed without them.
Everyone did an outstanding job of supporting each other and taking care of themselves also, which made my job pretty easy.
After a long climb up we spent about 20 minutes on the roof of Africa taking in the view and also getting plenty of photos. We then headed all the way back to camp where we had a quick lunch before descending further down the mountain to our last camp at 10,000', where the air felt thick and warm.
Today we woke early and hiked the remaining way back down to the gate, doing our best to stay on our feet as the clouds rolled in and rain began to fall. It was a little slippery, but the team did just fine as we all knew there was a hot shower awaiting us back at our lodge.
We wrapped up the evening with a huge celebratory meal and some well earned cold drinks of our choice.
Everyone is doing great and we are all very excited about the safari which begins tomorrow.
RMI Guide Casey Grom
Open your heart and you will be forever drawn back to Africa
Posted by: candy briggs on 8/5/2015 at 9:13 am
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the July 25th Kilimanjaro Climb Team reached the summit of Kilimanjaro today.
Congratulations to the team!
On The Map
CONGRATULATIONS Giulia!!!! So very happy for you!!! : )
Posted by: Katie K on 8/3/2015 at 6:19 am
Casey, Sarah and Team - How thrilling! Congratulations to all on this opportunity; well-done!
M&D
Posted by: Janet on 8/2/2015 at 9:11 am
Really enjoying reading about your great adventure! Keep safe and take lots of photos, Andrew and Rachel!
Posted by: Caroline Maryan on 8/9/2015 at 8:11 am
Ancient Chinese Proverb: “Even a thousand mile journey begins with just one step.” Keeping the summit in your sights, take it one step at a time. Take care all! Luv Ya Catie and Rachel! Quite an adventure for a couple of Susquehanna Crusaders who’s origins are the Rock Street Pool in Shamokin.
Posted by: Phil & Lois on 8/9/2015 at 6:35 am
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