Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Wednesday, August 9, 2023 - 1:55 am PT
Jambo from 10,000 ft on Mt Kilimanjaro. The start to our expedition went just as smoothly as it could possibly go. We were up and eating breakfast at Rivertrees by 7 AM and on the road by 8:15. Traffic on the main highway wasn’t too bad and we made fine progress, reaching the Machame gate to the National Park by 10 AM. There, at 6000 ft, we made final preparations for walking and we waited while the finishing touches were made on our climbing permit. By 11 AM, everything was set and we set out walking. We followed VV -one of our four local guides- into the rain forest. The weather was cloudy and humid but as we walked, there was enough clearing that we had occasional blue sky and sunshine through the big trees. Gradually the trail steepened and we began to make real progress. We stopped for snacks and rest breaks several times over the course of the five and a half hours it took to reach Machame Camp. Just out of the rainforest, we’ve graduated to the Giant Heather zone. Our support team established a fine camp and welcomed us in late afternoon. The blue skies were gone by then and the clouds had thickened up again. We got settled in for dinner in our dining tent at 6:30, just as it got dark. In the end it was a big day from start to finish and nobody lingered for very long following dinner. Between lingering jet lag and all of the hard work, the team was quite ready for a first night in the tents.
Best Regards
Posted by: Mike Walter, Tatum Whatford, Daniel May
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,131'
RMI Guide Mike Walter checked in to say the Mt. Shuksan - Fisher Chimney August 6 - 8 team reached the summit and have completed their descent back to the trailhead.
Nice work team!
Posted by: Alan Davis, Jack Delaney, Michael Murray, Charlie Harrison, Mitch Valaitis, Will Ambler
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 14,410'
After a few days of unsettled weather on the mountain, the Four Day Climb August 5 - 8 was able to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier led by RMI Guides Alan Davis and Jack Delaney. The teams reached the crater rim around 6:30 am PT and enjoyed an hour in the crater. They will return to Camp Muir for a quick stop before continuing down to Paradise this afternoon. We look forward to seeing the teams back at BaseCamp later today.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Congratulations Peter and thanks to RMI guides & staff for a safe and successful climb
Posted by: Chuck Lorenz on 8/9/2023 at 8:34 pm
Congratulations Brett! Glad to read of the team success. You’re awesome
Posted by: Olga Walker on 8/9/2023 at 6:51 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Monday, August 7, 2023 - 6:48 pm PT
Our team got busy with getting ready today. We met after breakfast in the garden-like compound of our hotel -Rivertrees. The huge fig trees along the Usa River throw plenty of shade and make for a fine playground for various troupes of monkeys. Our meeting delved into the particulars of how the climb on Kilimanjaro will flow and just how we will prepare for it. The team then dispersed to their rooms for gear checks and ultimately packing and weigh-ins. The afternoon was spent in this way, and with a few naps and cups of tea in the garden thrown in. Having mostly come from the west coast of North America, our gang is thoroughly jet-lagged. It was exciting in the evening to greet Brent Okita and his successful team of Kili climbers as they returned to the hotel. We then enjoyed our dinner -the last before the big event- while on the other side of the dining area, they enjoyed theirs as a victory dinner.
Best Regards
Dave D and team…hope all is continuing to go great on the climb! Each day is sure to bring much excitement on how far you have come! Praying for God’s protection each day! Love and Blessings, Bev
Posted by: Bev Kittleson on 8/11/2023 at 6:56 am
Looks like a fantastic group. We are all cheering you on Allison from OFW.❣️❣️ Chris is so proud of you
Posted by: Janet on 8/9/2023 at 5:56 am
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Aug 7, 2023 1:55PM PT
A sound sleep and much needed recovery was had by the team after our descent to Mweka Gate and the thin air of 6,000'. Negotiating a slick, slippery path down the 4000' to our waiting bus and celebratory lunch proved tricky, but no casualties were had.
We said our goodbyes to our new friends who supported us this week on Kilimanjaro. We all welcomed the showers, dancing, and comfort at our hotel - plus the ability to connect with friends and family.
Tomorrow our safari begins the second half of our adventure. Catch you then!
Welcome back down to earth where the breathing is easy. Congratulations to all who make this climb. What a great feeling you must all have.
Glad there were no casualties. A good week for you all.
Cheers,
Barb
Posted by: Barbara Heck on 8/7/2023 at 2:49 pm
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Steve Gately, Sam Hoffman, Jackson Breen, Erika Birkeland, Hannah Blum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 13,200'
The Four-Day climb of Mt. Rainier led by RMI guides, Dominic Cifelli and Sam Hoffman, were turned around this morning due to thunder and lightning. The team is currently on their descent and will celebrate their hard work at Basecamp in Ashford before team members head their seperate ways.
Posted by:
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
August 6, 2023 12:28PM PT
By late afternoon, our Kilimanjaro climbing team had formed up in Usa River, Tanzania. Not without some missed flights and reroutes of course… and the airlines are still hanging on to one duffel bag of gear, but the team is together and ready to launch this adventure. We began with a pleasant dinner outside in the garden of the Rivertrees Inn. There were certainly some yawns and bleary eyes from jet lag, but we also shared some good laughs and a few somber and serious moments as the nine of us introduced ourselves and tried to explain why Kilimanjaro has come to mean so much in our lives. We’ll get into the nuts and bolts of packing and prepping for the mountain tomorrow…
after a little sleep and some morning coffee.
Best Regards
Allison!! Seeing your smiling beautiful face is the best sight!!! You are amazing, we love you so much and Chris is truly with you every step of the way. Cannot wait to continue to keep up with your adventures - love ya mama!!
Posted by: Melena on 8/10/2023 at 4:25 pm
Allison, what an adventure! We are looking forward to following your progress through the blog. Stay safe…our thoughts and prayers are with you every step of the way.
Love, Mom and Bill
Posted by: Diane MacLaren on 8/8/2023 at 7:10 am
Summit day! Waking up at 11:30pm the moon and stars were in full force. Everyone was nervous and excited to start climbing. After breakfast we began. As we ascended the altitude and cold really challenged us. Finally, the horizon started getting light as sunrise greeted us. As we got to Stella Point fantastic views of the crater showed up, bathed in the early morning sun. The climb to the summit, Uhuru Peak, was beautiful as we traversed past the summit icefields. The climb was tough, but to be expected of a 19,340' mountain.
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Leif Bergstrom, Calvin Jiricko, Ellison Boord, Raymond Holt, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,080'
The Four Day Climb August 3 - 6 was unable to make a summit attempt due to continued rain throughout the night. RMI Guide Nikki Champion reported that rain began at Camp Muir around 10 pm and continued throughout the night. Light rain continued to fall this morning. The teams are planning to leave Camp Muir around 9:30 am heading downhill to Paradise.
We expect them to return to Rainier BaseCamp in the early afternoon.
Being a first-timer, although the trip turned out to be incomplete, took away a couple of things from the experience:
1. Now I know that it is doable and will come back to get to the summit next year
2. The basic training and know-how will be helpful for future activities (thanks to all the guides)
Personally, I thought, although summitting was out of the question due to bad weather, going up to Ingrahm flat was possible in the morning and would have given us some experience regarding rope travel. Not sure, if something else other than the weather was under consideration for this decision not to go to Ingrahm flat
Finally, I plan to come back next year. Would it be possible to get some sort of concession that time due to the fact that we could not do the second part at all this time around?
Thanks
—manoj
Posted by: Manoj Devasarma on 8/9/2023 at 4:24 pm
Saturday, August 5, 2023 - 9:38 pm PT
Hey, this is Brent Okita with the RMI Kilimanjaro team. We are on the summit of Kilimanjaro right now. It's, oh, I don't know what time it is, a couple of hours after sunrise. We have a beautiful day up here. Everyone did great and we are looking forward to coming down and celebrating. Congratulations to the whole team. All right, that's all for now from the summit of Kilimanjaro, 19,340'. We will talk to you later.
RMI Guide Brent Okita calls from the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Wow that’s awesome, congratulations! That’s an altitude few people outside an airplane ever achieve! Impressive hiking. You’ll remember this day forever! Well done.
Posted by: Judy Woellner on 8/6/2023 at 12:58 pm
Yahoo!!!! So excited to hear you achieved the summit. What a great feat for you all. Proud of those brave hearts that follow the sport of climbing. I give you all a a lot of credit for the commitment to challenge these mountains and volcanos you so love to conquer.
Have a safe and fun trip on the descend. Can’t wait to see photos of the summit.
Cheers,
Barb
Posted by: Barbara Heck on 8/6/2023 at 12:29 pm
Sweet dreams to the brave and fabulous! Love you Allison!
Posted by: Liz DePasqua on 8/9/2023 at 6:57 pm
The climb begins. So excited for u & your team!!
Posted by: Rosie on 8/9/2023 at 5:28 pm
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