Our Kilimanjaro climbing team has come together at the Dik Dik Hotel on the outskirts of Arusha, Tanzania. The team actually assembled 24 hours ago, but it took until today for the guide to catch up and join the party. Couldn't get my rickety old 747 to start for the hop across the Atlantic. The team, in the drowsy grip of jet lag and the tranquility of the Dik Dik gardens, barely noticed my absence. Today was a day of rest and recovery... and of preparation for a great adventure. Eleven of us introduced ourselves and began the fun "work" of building a climbing team. We went through the various details of packing and getting organized for a journey through multiple climatic zones and a hoped for shot at the 19,340 ft high point of Africa. With just a few wonderful meals together, we're well on our way to being spoiled by the kitchen and dining staff at the Hotel. Our intention is to break away from all of this luxury in the morning...To get on the road by 7 AM, with the hope of being walking a few hours later. It will be great to replace the images of crowded airports and long security lines with visions of paths in lush forests and glimpses of distant snow-capped peaks.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
One day down, enjoy the incredible beauty during each hike and the rest at the end of each day.
Posted by: Jackie on 9/3/2015 at 2:38 pm
So proud and inspired by you, Charlotte! Hugs and prayers from CDS and wishing for a great adventure for all of you. Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” — Anais Nin
In my mind, no matter what, you are all living a life of great proportion!
RMI Guide Billy Nugent radioed at 7:23 am as his Four Day Summit Climb team and the Five Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Solveig Waterfall reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning, and were starting their descent from the crater rim. Billy reported it was very windy with winds from the NW.
Congratulations to today's team!
Team Orlando was in full safari mode as we explored the Ngorongoro Crater and all the wildlife and beauty it had to offer. We visited a Maasai Mara village to learn the great history and culture of such a strong and beautiful people.
RMI Guide JJ Justman & Team
Hey, this is Seth. We are all headed to the airport to catch our flights home. We've had a great trip and today was no exception. In the morning, as we returned through Tarangire National Park, we got very lucky and saw two leopards . It was a great cap on what had already been a wonderful trip. Everyone is excited to go home but we all wish we could be on safari forever!
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Hello from Kikoti Camp. We have just finished a wonderful evening around the fire pit complete with Maasai dancing and a BBQ dinner. Kikoti is am amazing place to finish our trip. Today we toured Tarangire National Park and it didn't disappoint. We were extremely close to elephants and giraffes and we got lucky and spotted a pride of lions lounging in the shade if a tree. The best thing about Tarangire though us the sheer number of animals. It was pretty much non stop the whole time. The talk at dinner was about how much fun the trip has been and that's because this group has really made it non stop laughs the whole time.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall & Team
Team Orlando just enjoyed their first day of our African safari! We spent the day with camera in hand watching elephants, zebras, hippos and much much more! I really would like to write more to describe everything but I'm going to be selfish...because Africa is Awesome! I'm outta here because I'm going to join the team in a glass of wine while we watch the sunset at the Plantation Lodge.
RMI Guide JJ Justman & Team
RMI Guide JJ Justman checked in from the DikDik in Arusha. Team Orlando is off the mountain and celebrated their successful summit of Kilimanjaro by swimming in the hotel pool and enjoying live music.
Tomorrow the team heads to Lake Manyara for their first day on safari.
Greetings from the beautiful Plantation Lodge. We have just returned from a great day of safari. We started off early and visited a Maasai village before descending into Ngorongoro Crater. It was a little cloudy on the rim of the crater but once we were inside the sun came out. The temps were a little cool which I always think is good for seeing lions and sure enough about 15 minutes after we arrived we saw our first lion, a female. She quickly grouped up with several others in her pride. The rest of the day was packed with tons of other animals and we even got to see a black rhino from a distance. It's always great to see that elusive beast.
Tomorrow we are off to Tarangire National Park and Kikoti Camp. I'll check in then.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Jambo!
Today was a great kickoff to safari. We piled our sore bodies into the trucks at 9 am and headed out towards Lake Manyara National Park. We shopped and lunched along the way and at about 1:30 pm we started the game drive. We were treated to lots of monkeys, baboons, elephants, and giraffes amongst other animals. My personal favorite, the African Fish Eagle was out in force as well. We are checked into the Plantation Lodge for the next two nights. It's a real treat to not have to pack a bag in the morning. We are headed to Ngorongoro Crater tomorrow morning so I'll check in again when we get back.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Hey, everyone. This is JJ Justman calling from Kilimanjaro with Team Orlando. Sorry for the summit call way up high; it was havoc. There were a ton of people and for some reason they all wanted to hoot and holler and have a big party while I was trying to send my dispatch. We had a great summit day today; the team did just a fantastic job. Actually, I've had all the great climbs here on Kilimanjaro but this team just did an incredible job getting up and down in style. We're back at Barafu Camp, the high camp here at 15,000'. We're actually packing up and we're heading down to what we call Mweka Camp at 10,000' and that's going to be our last night in the mountains, in the forests here of Kilimanjaro and then we're heading out tomorrow back to the hotel. Everyone says hello to friends and family. Again, everyone reach the summit today. There's no doubt it's a great way to do this climb. And we're now looking at our next objective of just kind of resting, relaxing, having a little bit of a fiesta, and then heading onto safari. So we'll stay in touch with all of you. Stay tuned tomorrow, I'll send a bunch of summit photos and we'll talk to you again from Tanzania. Take care everyone.
RMI Guide JJ Justman
Way to go Erwin !!!! We are cheering or you from Charleston! You are the coolest mom at Ashley Hall by a landslide! The images are beautiful. I can’t wait to see more and hear all about it! Enjoy every minute! Best, Susannah and Matt
Posted by: Susannah and Matt Hubbell on 9/11/2015 at 3:02 pm
To Thom, Kara and friends from team Orlando
So proud of all of you. We were with you every step of the way!
Congratulations on reaching the summit.
Enjoy a well deserved rest when you get back to the hotel.
Love you! Thom’s mom
One day down, enjoy the incredible beauty during each hike and the rest at the end of each day.
Posted by: Jackie on 9/3/2015 at 2:38 pm
So proud and inspired by you, Charlotte! Hugs and prayers from CDS and wishing for a great adventure for all of you. Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” — Anais Nin
In my mind, no matter what, you are all living a life of great proportion!
Posted by: Julie Tonks on 9/3/2015 at 10:37 am
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