Entries from Kilimanjaro
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Sleep came very easy for the team last night, no surprise right? Hot water bottles were not needed now that we have descended into the thick air of the cloud forest. We had a busy morning with many teams at Mweka Camp, so we were up early and had a quick snack before starting a fun gifting celebration to the local staff. I have to mention a superb job, once again by our local outfitter the Dik Dik. They provide such a high level of standards and consistency, it is always a pleasure to work with them. A two and a half hour descent brought us to the entrance gate where we bid farewell to the lovely and very friendly (this time) mountain Kilimanjaro. We are about to embark on an eating extravaganza after hot showers and sorting of gear to prepare for the Safari adventure ahead in the morning. The only thing that could make this better is if all of our friends and family were here.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
January 3, 2016 5:25 am PT
All is well here at Mweka Camp at 10,000 ft. Climb went like clock work. Left for the summit just after midnight under clear skies and light wind. Par for the course, a bit chilly. The team did a fine job all day climbing in good style and working well together. Right now we are enjoying peanuts and popcorn awaiting an early dinner, the sooner we can get in our sleeping bags the better. Early hike in the morning to the park gate.
January 2, 2016 10:15 pm PT
Mark Tucker here checking in from the the top of Kilimanjaro! Looks like I've got the whole team standing here with me. Great day. Fantastic job coming up the hill and our stellar stand out, Tess, crushed it! We are all doing well. Going to make our way down the hill back to high camp and could sweep on into Mweka Camp. We will check in later. All is good in the hood. Thanks for following.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
RMI Guide Mark Tucker calls from the Kilimanjaro summit.
On The Map
Luckily for us the rain stopped about midnight. Clear and cool as we started the day with yet another fine breakfast. Not a long climb today, just a little over two hours to get us here at high camp, Barafu 15,000 ft. After making camp and enjoying lunch we got sorted for the summit climb to night. Lots of lunch/ snacks for the 12 hour climb ahead were a big focus and planing our clothing layers as well. Nice weather for drying boots and lounging about. Going to try and take a break before early dinner and nap till 11:30 wake up. The whole team is in good shape so with a bit of luck some good weather we should be on top soon.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Thinking of you as your 12-hour Climb has you almost on Cloud 9 : )
All of us are praying for the HIGH POINT of your amazing adventure !
Mark must be a wonderful leader. Blessings on all of you, love, TH
Posted by: Terry Seidler (mother of Bob & Tom & grandmothe on 1/2/2016 at 6:05 pm
Waiting to hear from you! You definitely will be closer to God and little Oma. Thinking of you constantly and praying for a safe journey. Paris is doing great and rooting for you all.
Love Bibi and Ross -Dirt & Dani and Jackson -Michelle and Nicole.
Posted by: Bibi Turner on 1/2/2016 at 2:38 pm
We had another clear night on Kilimanjaro with cold temperatures. There was just a little noise at midnight, most teams were content to be getting some shut eye instead of celebrating. We had a leisurely morning knowing that our next camp, Karanga,at just over 13,000 ft would take about three hours climbing time. It also allowed the bulk of other groups a head start to give us less traffic on the first part of todays ascent, the Barranco Wall. We had lots of fun and took many photos for the team during the half hour of rock scramble. We all did it with style and grace. A nice hot lunch upon arrival at camp was a welcomed meal. We spent the next hour going over details to prepare us for the upcoming summit push, tomorrow night! It is raining pretty hard right now, let's get that out of the way right here. The team continues to do well, and is in great shape.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
The stars could not have been brighter last night. It was bit chilly but the hot water bottles helped warm us. The frozen ground of morning gave way as the sun rose.
Our high point today was near the Lava Tower at 14,900 ft which crushed everyone's altitude records. From our high point we descended to Barranco Camp, our camp for the night at 13,030 ft. It might seem counter intuitive to descend when we are trying to climb a mountain but it is actually very helpful for acclimatization.
It's New Year's Eve right now but there's not much party time tonight as we prepare for our next day climbing on Kilimanjaro. I bet we make up for it on safari...
Cheers,
RMI Guide Mark Tucker and team
On The Map
Hey, Tuck - happy new year from me, Bonny, and the kids!
Posted by: Peter Rogers on 12/31/2015 at 7:59 pm
Thinking of you all and this is definitely your most exciting New Year’s.
Love and prayers. Can’t wait to hear all about your amazing experience.
Xoxoxoxoxo
Posted by: Bibi Turner on 12/31/2015 at 11:05 am
Everyone slept well last night; the effects of international travel are rapidly disappearing. We woke up this morning at Machame camp to fine weather. We left camp early this morning and experienced great route conditions on our 4.5 hour climb to Shira Camp. A hot lunch greeted us once we arrived at camp, delicious! Now the team is resting and exploring our camp on the Shira Plateau. At 12,000 plus feet on Kilimanjaro, there isn't too much in the way of plant life but there are incredible views of the Great Rift Valley and the summit of Kilimanjaro.
The team is in good shape and high spirits. We will keep you posted as we continue to progress up the mountain.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
The search for the missing bag ended late last night. The bag finally caught a flight from the Netherlands to Tanzania and was returned to its proper owner.
This morning after a delicious breakfast, the team and all of our gear made the drive from the DikDik Hotel to the Machame Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park at 5,900 ft. After registering with the Park, we spent five hours on the trail enjoying great weather and trail conditions. Thanks to our local staff a fine camp was in place when we arrived at 9,890 ft Machame Camp, our first camp on the mountain. Our team did a nice job by the team getting to our first camp in good time and with fine technique. Everyone is doing well. It is time for dinner. We will check in again tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
After two days and 9,000 miles of travel the team is assembled in Tanzania. We are still waiting for a bag to arrive. The bag missed its connection in the Netherlands due to poor weather but we are hopeful it will arrive tonight. Thankfully the weather is great in here and the team is excited to start climbing Kilimanjaro tomorrow!
We will keep you posted as we continue our adventure.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Great days at Tarangire. Wonderful night at Kikoti Camp. Checked back in at Dik Dik for shower and dinner, then off to the airport. Busy times, but good times... I'll send a roundup from Amsterdam.
Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hey, this is Dave Hahn calling in from safari in Tanzania. Hey, we had a great day in Tarangire National Park. We saw hundreds of elephants. We saw a million zebras, gazelles; we saw a couple of male lions sleeping. It was great day, wonderful day. We're at Kikoti Camp, just outside the National Park right now. Unexpectedly, we don't have internet tonight so I'm not sending a dispatch but thought I'd give you a yell and let you all know that we're all doing just fine. And we're looking forward to the very last day of our trip. Tomorrow, we'll go back through Tarangire and we'll make our way back to Arusha. But all is well and we'll be in touch. Thank you.
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
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RMI Guide Dave Hahn checks in from Safari in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania.
Thank you, Mark, for the GOOD NEWS, about safe arrival AT THE TOP -
and cheers for Tess the Crusher ! love to all - we’re so proud of you -
and thank you, Mark, for all your help.
Sure has been a Happy New Year ! love, T
Please tell the Notre Dame rooters that Muffet McGraw won 800th coaching game
today as the Irish gals won !
Posted by: Terry Seidler (mother of Bob & Tom & grandmothe on 1/3/2016 at 4:50 pm
Way to go Tess, Kristen, Monica, Josie, Robert, Tomas and Tuck! We love the updates and can’t wait to hear more about your awesome adventure! Sleep well and steady hike out to the gate tomorrow!
XO The Gates
Posted by: Mary Kay Gates on 1/3/2016 at 4:10 pm
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