Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Day one on Kilimanjaro!  We left the comfort of Rivertrees Inn at 8 AM under cloudy skies.  The bus ride to the Machame Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park took about two hours.  It then took us fully ninety minutes to jump through the administrative hoops of completing the permitting process and getting admitted to the park. But then we were off.  Twelve climbers and fifty one local staff.  We were still under cloud cover and then sometimes in the clouds, but it never actually rained as we worked steadily uphill in the rainforest.  The team made it up 4000 vertical feet to 10K in 5 hrs and twenty minutes. All were happy to come into a fully built camp and to take tea and dinner in a spacious dining tent. Tomorrow is another big day, perhaps we’ll even get to see the mountain.

- RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team

The Five Day Climb led by Will Ambler and Avery Stolte reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning and enjoyed a bit of time in the summit crater.  They started their descent from the crater rim shortly after 7 am. The teams will have a short break at Camp Muir and then continue to Paradise later this afternoon.

Congratulations to today's climbers!

As promised, we got to work today, packing and prepping for Mount Kilimanjaro.  After a great breakfast at Rivertrees Inn, sitting outside under cloudy skies, our team of 12 got to know each other a little while we discussed the climb and how to get ready for it.  Next came a gear check to ensure that climbers weren’t bringing either too much or too little on our week-long expedition.  Folks then used the afternoon to get packs and duffels ready. 

We enjoyed a great dinner together, received the last missing bits of luggage from the airlines and then turned in, ready to get on the bus tomorrow and get walking. 

Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
 

Our Kilimanjaro climb began taking shape today. The entire twelve person team assembled -as scheduled- in Usa River, Tanzania at the Rivertrees Inn. Not all of the luggage followed the team to the assembly point, but we’re optimistic for tomorrow. Tomorrow is when we’ll get serious about planning and packing for the mountain, tonight it was enough to get together in one place. First priority now is sleep after the gargantuan transcontinental flights that got us here. 

Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn

The Four Day Climb led by Joe Hoch and Leif Bergstrom reached approximately 13,100 feet before deciding to turn around due to conditions on the climbing route. The team is now descending toward Camp Muir and is expected back in the early afternoon.

Well done team! 

The Four Day Climb August 16 - 19 led by RMI Guides Henry Coppolillo and Jackson Breen reached the summit this morning and stood on Columbia Crest.  It was a clear, calm and perfect day with views all the way to Mt Jefferson.  The teams started down from the crater rim around 7 am. Once back at Camp Muir they will repack and continue down to Paradise.

Congratulations to today's climbers!

Hello friends and family, 

Today we summited Shuksan! The team absolutely crushed it - it was the first time rock climbing for a few in the group, but we climbed the SE ridge smoothly and efficiently. On our way down we spent time checking out a crevasse and doing a bit of ice climbing. 

We are back at camp now with plans to walk out in the morning. 

RMI Guide Sam Hoffman 

On the top of Baker! Perfect cool temps and light breeze. We’re on our way down for one more night at Sandy Camp and out tomorrow.

RMI Guide Jess Wedel

The Expedition Skills Seminar - Paradise led by RMI Guide Calvin Jiricko concluded their week of training by standing on the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning.  The team spent several days on the lower slopes of Mt. Rainier with instruction and training, enjoying a wilderness experience and learning glacier travel skills. Yesterday the team bumped their gear to Camp Muir to launch for their summit attempt.  After enjoying some time in the crater their started their descent around 7 am.  The team will continue down to Paradise later this afternoon and conclude their program later today with a bit of celebration.

Nice work team!

RMI Guide Avery Stolte and the Four Day Climb August 15 - 18 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. It is a beauitful day with clear skies and the team enjoyed some time in the summit crater before starting their descent to Camp Muir. Once back at Camp Muir the team will get a quick break before descending the final 4,500' to Paradise. 

Congratulations to today's climbers!