Seth checking in from Barafu Camp, high camp on Kilimanjaro. We've had exceptional weather today and we hope it continues for the next 24 hours. We'll be getting up in the middle of the night for our summit bid!!!
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Hi RMI family. Our Kilimanjaro team has landed in Tanzania. It is always a long day flying so we have settled into our luxurious hotel. On the agenda is having a great meal, resting and relaxing. Stay tuned for more...
RMI Guide JJ Justman
This is Seth checking in from the top of the Barranco Wall. We've been climbing in a cloud all morning which has kept the temperatures nice and comfortable. The team is doing well and we're all looking forward to spending the afternoon at our next camp, Karanga Valley.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Mark Tucker checking in. We are presently located at the airport, Kilimanjaro International. Great views of the mountain on the way here. We spent a few hours on the road today. Got through Tarangire one last time, saw many animals as expected. Had a lovely snack at the fabulous Dik Dik Resort, hot showers, and everybody is good to go. We are winging our way back home. Looking forward to seeing everybody in the states. Thanks for following the trip.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
We're at Shira Plateau Camp! We had another great day on the trail and everyone is adjusting to mountain life. We got up with the sun and had a great breakfast. Fruit and eggs and of course the wonderful bread from the Dik Dik is a great way to start a day.
Unfortunately for us though one of our team had to head home due to a work emergency. We'll miss him sorely and feel bad that he had to leave the trip.
After our goodbyes we hit the trail for a 4 hour and 45 minute hike to camp. The weather was mostly cloudy which meant we were inside the clouds all day. That is until we hit the top of the Shira Plateau where we moved out of the cloud deck. Once we topped out we were greeted with an amazing view of the summit. It's still a long way off but tomorrow we'll get right up under it!
A message from team member Gayle: She wanted to say hi to her Mom.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Well known for its river valleys, wetlands, gently rolling hills, rocky outcrops, acacia woodlands, and numerous baobabs (the upside down tree). We are here at the Tarangire National Park which is one of my favorites. Perfect conditions weather wise during the game drive today. Wide open spaces and views to behold. Here we are at the Kikoti Luxury tent camp for the night after a great game drive through the park. I was just escorted to my tent by a man with a Rifle and another with a spear. Not uncommon for night movement while living in the bush.
Sure hope I survive the night so I can report in tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Well, we just pulled into Machame Camp, elevation 9,900'. It was a beautiful day here with plenty of sunshine. We climbed through the cloud forest today, although there were some muddy sections we did not get rained on at all. The temperatures were pleasant all day. Our camp is situated right where the forest gives way to the giant heather and it is a beautiful spot for sure. Once we move into our tents we'll have a little tea before dinner and a relatively early bed time. That's it for now.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall and Team
The day went like clockwork. We had a great breakfast and then hopped in our vehicles for a short drive to the entrance of the Ngorongoro National Park. The day was cloudy and cool to start, but by the time we descended some two thousand feet, to floor of the largest unbroken and unflooded caldera in the world, the sun was a shining. I would guess that we only saw about 20% of the 30,000 animals that live in the crater. On our way back to the amazing Plantation Lodge for another night we stopped into a Masai Village for a tour and some special shopping options. Tomorrow brings us to the home of more elephants per square mile than anywhere else in the world, Tarangire National Park. Somebody has to do it, wish you were here.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Well, today was our first full day as a team. We met up for breakfast at 9 a.m. and then launched into a good meet-and-greet and a big download of info about our climb. It seems like everyone will be getting along famously and that's always a good sign.
After our team meeting we reviewed the gear needed for the climb and how to pack it all up. Then it was lunch time. The staff here at the Dik Dik has been treating very well and the food is amazing. Lunch today was three courses, dinner was five! We're all carbo-loading for the trek and everyone is psyched to hit the trail tomorrow!
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Mark Tucker checking in. All is going as planned. Gotta love it. Had a very nice sleep in a bed with a big, cozy down blanket last night. Tough to miss the tent time high up the hill, but, suffer we must. Another great breakfast for the team. Our safari Landcruisers were readied last night so all we needed was a quick gear adjustment. We left most of our stuff back at the Dik Dik where we will stop by en route to our international flights in a few nights. On the way here to the fabulous Lake Manyara National Park, we stopped at a shop for a few snacks and had a fabulous time. We are located at the base of the Eastern Great Rift Escarpment where we saw all sorts of animals: giraffes, baboon, [lost connection] and birds. We are now at the Plantation Lodge for two nights. Tomorrow we travel to the eighth wonder of the world, the Ngorongoro Crater.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
RMI Guide Mark Tucker calls in from Day 1 of their Safari.
You are more woman than I ever dreamed of. You go girl! Thanks for sharing your adventures. . <3
Posted by: Kim Beaney on 7/31/2013 at 7:35 am
Good luck Kalin and Emily! May the weather hold! Love, Helen, Adam and Pinocchio!
Posted by: Helen on 7/29/2013 at 9:45 pm
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