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 Four Day Summit Climb Teams led by RMI Guides Peter Whittaker, Ed Viesturs, and JJ Justman reached the summit of Mt. Rainier under clear skies, a bright moon, and great route conditions. The teams have started their descent and are en route back to Camp Muir.
Congratulations to today's teams!
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
Today the team moved uphill and we are officially on Mt. Elbrus. We made use of two cable cars and one last chairlift to reach what is called the barrels. The barrels sit at just over 12,000' and look like grain silos laying on their side. They are sparsely furnished and comfortably sleep six climbers each. It's home for the next few days for us and others climbers from all over the world, which is just one of the things that make this South Side trip so special. It feels like an international climbing hub with peaceful climbers sharing stories from all over the world.
Shortly after arriving and getting settled in to camp the team set out on another acclimatization hike and reached an altitude of about 13,500'. We then descended back to camp and are currently enjoying the view and working on international relations.
Everyone is doing great!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
The Five Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guides Mike Walter and the Four Day – All Women’s Climb led by Melissa Arnot reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Today’s climb marked Melissa’s 100th summit of Mt. Rainier!
The teams began their descent from the crater rim just before 7 am. Clear skies and beautiful sunshine. They will return to Camp Muir for a short break and then continue to Paradise this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's summit climbers!
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.
Greetings from the Dik Dik Hotel. Everyone has made it to Tanzania safe and sound. All of our baggage has arrived as well! We've just finished a light supper and tomorrow we kick off our trip with our first full team meeting at breakfast. So far so good.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
It's nice to be back in the mountains!
Today the team awoke to cloudy skies and a little rain here in the Baksan Valley at the base of Mt. Elbrus. We started our day with a nice breakfast with fresh juice, porridge, and fried eggs. We had a bit of a rain delay so we walked over to the local gear shop and picked up a few last minute things for the climb then headed out on our first acclimatization hike. We made use of the ski lifts here to access the better hiking terrain and help us gain a little more altitude. Certainly not the norm elsewhere, but luckily for us it is in Russia. We hiked a little over an hour and reached our high point which was just over 10,000. Everyone did great and enjoyed the views even though they were a bit limited with the cloud cover. After descending back to town we had quick lunch and spent the remainder of the day exploring town, getting packed for tomorrow and a few of us even managed a cat nap too.
The team is in good spirits and excited about moving uphill tomorrow!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Greg: looking strong and happy :). Have fun, sending you energy n strength. Blah blah, think I’ll have a glass of wine while I read the rmi blog. Do it!!!
Posted by: Barb on 7/24/2013 at 9:03 am
Great to see the team made it to the mountains. Scenery looks pretty and you all look like you’re enjoying the hike! Love to fatima.
Posted by: Peter Williamson on 7/24/2013 at 6:31 am
The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 6:45am. The team reported nice weather and calm winds, they spent some time on the summit and have started their descent back to Camp Muir.
The Expedition Skills Seminar – Emmons Led by RMI Guide Elias deAndres Martos also reached the summit via the Emmons route early this morning and have stated their descent back to Camp Schurman.
Congratulations to today's teams!
-640x480.jpg)
-640x480.jpg)
Congratulations!! Can’t wait to hear more about it! :)
Posted by: Meg on 7/25/2013 at 8:48 am
View All Comments