Entries from Kilimanjaro
Another fine day on
Kilimanjaro's trails has led us to high camp. The name of this camp is Barafu which translates to 'ice'. So you can tell it is not always the warmest spot. True enough, we have been getting some ice pellets or graupel hitting the tents since we arrived. Hopefully we'll have the normal evening clearing and a nice climb tonight.
The team members are all in our respective tents sorting gear and relaxing before we head out. Our crew just prepared a delicious lunch of hamburgers and macaroni salad. Perfect for the physical effort that awaits us.
Our plan is to get up at midnight and get on the trail by 1 AM. It should take us somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 hours to reach the top.
Wish us luck!
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
On The Map
Jambo from Mt. Kilimanjaro! We are on the trail. Last night was wonderful at
Barranco camp and this morning we slept in a bit before heading up the wall. The climbing was great and the group did very well. We can see the upper mountain glaciers and the high camp. We are getting close to our goal!
We are now at our Karanga Valley Camp. The team did great on the trail into camp. We had a great lunch here and have been relaxing this afternoon. Everyone is psyched for the trip to high camp tomorrow morning.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
On The Map
Well, it's a cloudy day on the trail but the group is hanging tough. We're having lunch at the Lava Tower (15'000'). That means we are setting new altitude records for just about every one. Tonight we will camp at Barranco where some of the giant plants that are unique to
Kilimanjaro are concentrated.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
On The Map
Hi this is Seth. We are up on the
Shira Plateau headed to camp. Its been an excellent day on the trail. The weather has been fantastic and we are looking forward to a hot lunch in camp. Tomorrow we will head to the Barranco Valley.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
On The Map
All is well at
Machame Camp! The team was really fired up this morning. I was three minutes early to breakfast and I was the last to arrive. It's great to be on a trip with such an organized team.
The drive to the gate was smooth and after checking in at the gate we started our trek. The trail was a little slick and muddy but we didn't get any rain along the way. Once we arrived in camp the crew had everything set up and ready to go. Everyone is now settling in for the night and getting ready for the hike up to Shira tomorrow.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
On The Map
Greetings from
Tanzania! Our group is getting excited for the start of our trek. All of us arrived yesterday evening and spent today sorting through gear and recovering from the long flights. We also spent some time chatting with the folks from Mark Tucker's Kilimanjaro Climb and they all reported a great experience on the mountain. Tomorrow we'll get an early start and make our way to Kilimanjaro National Park. It should be good times!
RMI Guide
Seth Waterfall & Team.
Yet another stellar Safari. Some clouds made for very pleasant temperatures all day.
Tarangire National Park was the place to be. A bit of a terrain contrast from the crater, neither one better than the other, just different. Wide open big sky country out here. Mammals galore, in a very natural setting, as you can imagine. We ended up here at the luxury tent camp called Kikoti. The team has injured their stomachs by over indulgence. We are now sitting around a nice wood fire digesting our pains away. Very peaceful spot, the perfect setting to finish off this adventure.
We will make tracks back through the park in the morning on our way to the Dik Dik Hotel to pick up some gear, than off to the airport.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Our good fortune continues. It must be a residual charm left over from the time spent on the mountain during the super moon. Cold and cloudy to start the day up on the Ngorongoro Crater Rim. That is not unusual, this typically being the coldest time of year. We paid a visit to a
Maasai Village. Warmed up in one of their huts, while a nice gentleman told us fascinating facts and rich history of this unique group of people. I think you would be surprised at the insulation R-value of the walls of their thatch, cow dung and ash mixture construction. Since the funding goes to children education and the offerings were nice souvenirs, we were happy to invest in some of the village wares. We made the descent into the crater floor and spent a magical day with the other natives of the land, wild animals. So much fun and more to come. We move to
Tarangire National Park tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
All tucked into the team villa here at the Plantation Lodge, just outside of
Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, which is tomorrow's destination. We departed from the Dik Dik Hotel right on schedule and attacked the Lake Manyara National Park with eyes wide open. Great critter sightings all day! Being only two days since summit day, I was impressed with the team's level of energy. Tomorrow we are looking forward to seeing as many of the 29,999+ mammals that live in what is known as the "eighth wonder of the world."
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
We are here at the
Dik Dik hotel and enjoying it. The team made quick work of the 4,000 foot descent this morning, arriving at the gate well before noon. We had a brief customary departure sign out with the park service, a lunch stop along the way. When we arrived at the hotel, a welcome song greeted us upon our arrival. Then a hot shower to wash away some gathered mountain product, but it couldn't rid us of a whole bunch of memories made while on the climb. Some of the team has been reunited with loved ones, how about a grandma and grandpa joining us here in Africa. How cool is that? While the rest of the team is jealous, we have to carry on and look forward to a reunion when we get back home.
Tomorrow starts the safari part of our program here. We are getting ready to bid farewell to one of the team who leaves for the airport tonight so as to not miss the start of the fall quarter. Is the summer really coming to a close? Better get out while you can!
RMI Guide
Mark Tucker & Team
hello team, it is 10:44 in New York. Thinking about 6:30 where you all are. We are all so incredibly proud of all of you! summit or not. You all rock!! congrats on a great journey!!! xxoo lizzie , thomas, kit and mary :-)
Posted by: liz Blaney on 8/23/2014 at 7:49 pm
Be careful dad! Your 75 and you promised me if it was too much you would turn back. I would rather have you return home safely rather than lose you proving yourself on one of your adventures. Are we still on for running with the bulls in Spain next year?
Posted by: Roger Rathburn Jr. on 8/23/2014 at 7:07 pm
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