We are on the trail to Shira Plateau, our second camp on Kilimanjaro. Last night was calm and clear with a full moon and today we've been above the clouds all morning. The trail is busy with climbers from all over the world but our team was ready to go early this morning so we're ahead of the pack. We got our first view of the upper mountain today and we're all suitably impressed.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
RMI Guides Shaun Sears and Billy Nugent led their Four Day Summit Climb July 30 - 2 August, 2012 to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams reported nice climbing conditions and clear skies with a cloud deck below them at around 8,000'. They were able to spend some time on the summit before beginning their descent at 8:30 a.m.
We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon.
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today led by RMI Guide Tyler Reid. The team spent two days training in Ashford and Paradise before driving to the White River Trail head and beginning their climb. They will descend to their camp and spend one final night on the mountain.
Congratulations to today's teams!
Jambo!
I am checking in from Machame Camp at 9,800', our first camp on Kilimanjaro. We arrived about two hours ago and have been relaxing in our dining tent. The hike today was very smooth as we got a nice early start and didn't have any delays at the Machame Gate (5,990'), our entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park. We were in the clouds all day and that kept the temps cool and perfect for walking. It was a great start to the trip!
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Greetings from the Dik Dik Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania.
Today was our fist full day together as a team. We started the day with a leisurely breakfast, a discussion of the trip itinerary and then a gear check. After lunch most of the team went into Arusha to do some shopping and sight seeing. Now we have finished dinner and are getting ready for an early departure for Kilimanjaro. We'll check in again from our first camp tomorrow.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Way to go Eddie! You made it through the gear check. You’re on your way now! Let’s see how many names you can remeber of your team mates. We’ll spot you Tom and Bob.
POOKA POWER!
Posted by: Jim Citrano on 8/2/2012 at 3:04 pm
Hope everyone enjoys their climb! Have fun Chris, and all be safe.
Posted by: Elizabeth & Doug on 8/2/2012 at 4:33 am
After a glorious day game viewing in the Ngorongoro crater, the team made a stop by a Masai village.
We received the full tour and were able to help support the local economy. These folk are tough. Who is to say what life you live is better than one or another, I can sure tell you it is a different sort out here in the bush than most of the USA.
Our plan is to pack up in the morning and drive about an hour and a half to our next park, Tarangire National Park. We will be on the look out for the elusive leopard. Our safari staff has promised us a barbecue in the bush and we are looking forward to that. We end up in a tented camp tomorrow night and I can tell you I know tents and this is as far from any tent I ever stay in. Lets just say a king sized bed, toilet and shower are not the norm after I pitch a tent.
Once again the word is out..........Roughing it in Africa is all relative.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
"By far the best of the year" was RMI Guide Brent Okita's description of today's weather on the summit of Mt. Rainier. Brent led the Four Day Summit Climb July 29 - 1 August to the top this morning. RMI Guide Eric Frank led the Five Day Summit Climb July 28 - 1 August to Rainier's summit with 100% of his team. Both teams reported warm temperatures with just a whisper of wind. They began their descent from the crater rim just before 8 am. The teams will return to Camp Muir and then continue their descent to Paradise.
RMI Guide Mike Haugen led the Expedition Skills Seminar on the Kautz Glacier. The team spent the week training at Rainier BaseCamp and on the mountain. This morning they packed up their camp at 13,000' atop Wapowty Cleaver and reached the summit of Mt. Rainier. The team will descend via the Disappointment Cleaver Route. This marks the 100th summit of Mt. Rainier for RMI Guide Mike Haugen. Congratulations Mike!
RMI Guide Jake Beren called to check-in from Mt. Shuksan. The team is back at camp after being 100% on top today. Jake reported that the route is “near perfect” with an amazing sunrise, views of Mt. Baker and the surrounding Cascades. They ascended the central gulleys of the summit pyramid and stood on top with windless, sunny conditions. The team had a great descent, rolling in to camp at the same time as the fog. They are back at camp hydrating and resting before hiking out tomorrow.
We look forward to seeing all the groups at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon. Congratulations to today's teams!
Congrats Lindella and team. We are so proud of you!Mom and Dad
Posted by: Linda Smith on 8/4/2012 at 9:20 am
Congrats to Mike on 100!! I was there on the summit with him and our team had an incredible climb together. Thank you to our amazing guides and to my fellow climbers for a great four days on the mountain.
Its a sad day. Our https://Mt. Elbrus Expedition is over. I cannot tell you how much fun I have had with both my teams in Russia this year. I have climbed the highest mountain in Europe with old friends and I have made new friends along the way.
Tonight was the perfect way to end the adventure...on the canal waterways of one of the most magnificent cities in the world!
Enjoy a glimpse of the beauty...
https://RMI Guide J.J. Justman
All right you deserve to know. We have to be honest to all of you that have been following our trip. We have not been roughing it.
Tables and chairs on the mountain, hot water for washing at each camp. Fifty five local staff with us throughout the Kilimanjaro climb. We could carry any or nothing throughout the day. Fresh foods at each meal. You would have loved it.
Now here we are at the Plantation Lodge with white table cloths and fine china, eating incredible curry chicken and organic garden fresh salad, do not even want to rub in what we had for desert. All this after an awesome day of game viewing in Lake Manyara National Park.
I feel so much better now that you are in the loop. Wish I could say that it's tough surviving here in wild Africa but that would just not be true.
It is a real vacation now after a pretty physical week on the big hill. There are a few sore and tired muscles but over all the team is in great shape. We said a sad good-bye to one member of the group as he started his trip back to the USA, he had to get back for work. We will miss his wonderful sense of humor and great companionship.
Tomorrow we are off to one of the great natural wonders of the world - Ngorongoro Crater. Where there are so many animals in a small space, I better get the camera battery charged up tonight.
All is well,
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Now I’m really jealous. The ultimate zoo - minus the fences! Dennis, I would tell you to take lots of pictures, but I already know that you will. Hope you’re having the time of your life! Love, Kim
Posted by: Kim Mulherin on 7/31/2012 at 6:29 pm
Please don’t let Dion bring home a monkey. Thank you!
Everyone has made it to Arusha, Tanzania! A few of the team arrived early and the rest of us just flew in. It's a loooong trip from the USA! All of our baggage is here so tomorrow we'll check the gear and pack up for our Kilimanjaro ascent.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Hello everyone! It is Team Elbrus reporting from St. Petersburg. Last evening we had a great celebration in Cheget. I cannot fully explain how thrilled I am to have climbed with such a great team. We had a diverse group. Our youngest member, Charlotte, is 16 and tough as nails! I had to apologize on summit day because Elbrus wasn't high enough for her as she casually strolled to the summit. Our oldest team member makes me hope that I will be as strong at that age, especially since I will most likely be guiding into my late 80's.
We made it into St. Petersburg and we are resting and relaxing in our beautiful hotel near one of the city's canals. We have a full day of touring this beautiful city. Stay tuned for some great videos and photos of our final day in this fantastic country.
RMI Guide JJ Justman
good luck guys!
I’m jealous!
Posted by: Russ on 8/7/2012 at 3:40 am
Matt
Have a great climb
Love
Mom and Dad
Posted by: Mary Ann Krull on 8/4/2012 at 10:20 am
View All Comments