Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hello one last time.
Today was our last day here in Tanzania so we opted for a moderately leisure departure from the tranquil Plantation Lodge.
Our first stop was to a huge gift shop so everyone could bring back a few souvenirs.
By the looks of it, a few people back home are getting some nice gifts too.
We made a quick stop off at Lake Manyara National Park. Normally the safari sightings here are always exciting, but sadly that was not the case today. It’s been incredibly wet this year and most of the drivable roads have been either flooded or completely washed out.
It was expedited to say the least.
The team has returned to our original lodge and are packed up headed for the airport.
Your loved ones should be home soon!
Thanks for following,
RMI Guide Casey Grom & Crew
Day 14
What a sight to behold. We all stood in the morning silence watching the winds on the summit. So much change within a few thousand vertical feet. Snow was getting ripped off of the highest parts of the mountain above us, disappearing into the rapidly moving clouds beyond. We sure felt grateful for the calm weather we were experiencing around camp. Despite todays spectacle, the team remains optimistic.
Till next time,
RMI Guides Luke, David and Team
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 19,348'
Good morning,
I am happy to report that on a beautiful morning the team made the summit of Cotopaxi. Sunny skies and light winds made for great climbing conditions. The local guides have departed and the team is headed back to Quito for an afternoon of relaxation and a celebration dinner. This trip has thrown some curveballs, but I'm proud of the team for sticking with it and being flexible along the way. Everyone, regardless of whether they went to the summit of Cayambe or Cotopaxi did a really fine job pushing themselves towards goals they have worked so hard for. Cheers to this team!
Thank you for following along with our blog and please continue following the final RMI Ecuador trip of the season which starts next week!
RMI Guides Dustin, Avery and Team!
Awesome!! Sunny Summit!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/4/2022 at 3:45 am
Congrats all! Great to see that mountain summited
Posted by: Sam on 2/3/2022 at 12:50 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Today we visited the famous Ngorongoro Crater, and considered by many to be one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. The crater is what remains of a two million year old massive volcano that erupted and collapsed on itself, leaving behind a giant caldera that's roughly 100 square miles. The crater is home to some 25,000' animals because of the abundant food and water that flows from a spring.
We were able to see several lions, including two big males, but not nearly as close as yesterday. As we made our way around the crater where we saw tons of other wildlife, zebras, Cape buffalo, wildebeest, jackals, Giselles, hyenas, and four Black Rhinos in the distance. It was an enjoyable a day to say the least.
We are wrapping up our trip with a final night here at the Plantation Lodge and are looking forward to what tomorrow may bring as we head to Lake Manyara National Park before catching late flights home tomorrow!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Safari crew
Reading your summary of Ngorongoro Crater and it’s abundance of wildlife was like reading a National Geographic magazine. So many creatures reside there! Giselles too!! Did you spot any Tom Bradys?
Lol ...Congrats on your climb!!
John B from Rhode Island.
Posted by: John on 2/4/2022 at 6:06 am
Day 13
The team awoke to warm bagels and crackling bacon. That was the warmest part of the day. It was a frigid one. We practiced cramponing while dashing in and out of our sleeping bags. Now is the trickiest part of any expedition. We sit, checking the weather repeatedly, waiting for our weather window to climb. Despite so much time in the tent, we are ready when the time comes.
Till next time,
RMI Guide Luke Wilhelm & Team
Hey Dad,
Hope you are staying warm and keeping up morale while you wait for a clear safe opening for you to summit. Thinking of you! Sending Love and Strength!
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly on 2/3/2022 at 6:23 pm
Sounds like a you’re in good company while you await your window for summiting. Sending prayers the weather God’s turn in your favor. In the meantime, eat, rest, and relish in your magical winter wonderland adventure. We love you!
Love and God Bless,
ChrisBoLillianCarl
Posted by: ChrisBoLillianCarl on 2/2/2022 at 7:45 pm
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Good morning,
The team is getting a final bit of relaxation at Chilcabamba Eco Lodge this morning. It's blue skies and the mountains are out. The group seems to be in good spirits as they prepare to head to the Jose Ribas Refugio today, where they will rest for the evening before a very early start tonight. The summit of Cotopaxi and the climbing route is visible from Chilcabamba this morning, giving everyone some additional motivation!
All the Best for clear skies Dustin!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/3/2022 at 4:34 am
Good luck, Dustin, Avery, and team!
Posted by: Dylan Richey on 2/2/2022 at 9:27 am
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hello again everyone,
We had quite the storm roll through last night with lots of rain and a very impressive lightning and thunder show. Thankfully it had mostly tapered by morning before we headed out on another safari in Tarangire National park.
It was pretty quiet initially as I’m sure the storm had most animals tucked away, but soon enough the wildlife was back and ever present. We saw the usual cast of characters with the highlights being a Serval Cat and a beautiful lioness lounging in a tree at close range.
We have just arrived at our new beautiful lodge just outside of Ngorongoro crater. It’s a stunning and extremely peaceful private lodge tucked away in a densely forested hillside.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the safari crew
Our mood was a reflection of how the snow fell today. Slow and relaxed. After a really hard day yesterday, the team enjoyed recovering in our tents. Reading, writing, and watching movies. And how could we forget the amazing pizza meal for lunch?! Not able to see past our campsite, it's really nice to be living in a world of snow.
Till next time,
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hello everyone,
We spent today touring Tarangire National Park which is home to more elephants per square kilometer than any place on earth, plus and a huge diversity of other animals too.
We saw elephants, giraffes, warthogs, impala, mongoose, baboons, ostrich, and a lot of other animals, and 37 different birds with the highlight being the Pearl-Spotted Owlet!
We ended our day at a remote and off grid camp within the National Park and surrounded by wildlife. The camp has screened in rooms that allow the night sounds of Africa in. Hopefully everyone sleeps well tonight!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Safari crew!
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 18,997'
After a late start due to poor weather last night, the team got moving this morning with the promise of a nicer day. However, conditions deteriorated once they reached the glacier with humidity and worrisome flashes of lightning in the distance. Those flashes ended up subsiding and the weather turned marginally better making it possible to reach the summit of Cayambe. Just a few members of the team reached the 18,997' summit, but everyone fought hard with every step. All team members pushed themselves today and will enjoy a rest day at the Chilcabamba Eco Lodge tomorrow.
We have our hopes for better weather on Cotopaxi and I know that any of these climbers stand a good chance to reach the summit of one of the highest active volcanoes in the world!
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JOSEPH
Hunker down, do some walking about and take pictures for us.
We are so proud of you!! You’re in striking distance, Talking to the big guy for you all. Your climbing patner Daryl
Posted by: Daryl on 2/4/2022 at 7:00 am
Rooting for y’all from Vermont!! Some updates: Darius Garland was named an All-Star reserve (hell yeah), Olympics started today (US women’s hockey beat Finland 5-1 and Italy beat Norway in an 8th end heartbreaker in mixed curling), Harbaugh didn’t get Vikings job, Samuel L Jackson signed a 10-day with the Canton Charge, and Midd’s getting 12-18 tonight! Hope everyone’s doing well- y’all are crushing it!!! Relish this experience.
Posted by: Greg on 2/3/2022 at 6:46 pm
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