Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Our Four Day Summit Climbs made it to the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. They reported clear skies, light winds and warm temperatures. The teams enjoyed some time on the summit and are now descending back to Camp Muir.
Congratulations to today's teams.
Posted by: Jeff Martin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Jambo from Kikoti Camp,
We packed up this morning, left the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge and headed to Tarangire National Park. It is about a 2 hour drive from the crater rim, and by late morning we were already seeing the first of the many animals to come. Tarangire is the fifth largest park in Tanzania and it boasts over 3,000 resident elephants. It lived up to its reputation today and would guess that we saw at least 300 today.
Since there is only one main river running through the park, most of the animals are concentrated along this water source, especially in the dry season (June - September). Lots more of zebras, wildebeast, impala, and gazelle were seen, as well as a few lions. The safari drivers always talk to each other about what animals they have seen. Unfortunately, it has been at least two days since the last leopard has been seen. Maybe it will happen tomorrow....
We will spend a few hours game viewing in the morning before heading back to the Dik Dik Hotel and getting ready for our flights home.
This has been a really fun trip and we are sorry that it has to come to an end. Thanks to the entire team for making this a great adventure, and congratulations to all of you for reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Cheers to all and safe travels home.
RMI Guide Jeff Martin
The August 3 - 6 Summit Climbs led by Dave Hahn and Pete Van Deventer called down at 7:30 a.m. saying that they had reached the summit of Mt. Rainier. It was nice up top with light winds. The teams left the summit at 8:20 a.m. to descend back to Camp Muir.
Congratulations!
Posted by: Jeff Martin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hello from the Ngorongoro Wildife Lodge,
We were driving down into the crater at 7:00 am this morning for a full day of game viewing. We saw at least 10,000 animals today, mostly zebra, wildebeest, cape buffalo, and gazelles. But the two black rhinos (mother and baby) is what stole the prize. We first saw them way out in the distance, but they continued to travel in our general direction and so we waited patiently. They ended up crossing right in front of us, about 100 yards away, and we were the only group to see them. Timing is everything when it comes to safari.
We also saw lions, a cheetah, hyenas, a serval cat, and elephants. It was quite a day. After spending the majority of the day in the crater, including a picnic lunch, we headed back up the road to the crater rim. At the top, we stopped at a traditional Masai village to learn about their culture and how they live off the land. It was a lot of fun getting a tour of their huts and watching them perform their traditional dances.
It was then time to head back to our lodge to grab a drink and head out on the patio to watch the sun go down over Ngorongoro Crater.
Tomorrow, we travel to Tarangire National Park where we plan to spend another full day game viewing. The only animal left on our "Big Five List" is the leopard. We have heard that our chances are good that we can see one in Tarangire.
- The Kili Team
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
We enjoyed our night at the Kikoti Camp spending time by the open fire after dinner. This tented camp is really luxury camping, a bit rustic but not roughing it and a very peaceful location out in the bush.
After breakfast we toured Tarangire National Park on a three hour game drive seeing lots of elephant and a nice glimpse of a cheetah! This morning was cloudy and cool but we enjoyed warm and sunny conditions this afternoon. We made a stop for souvenirs and last purchases on our way back to the Dik Dik. We will spend some time repacking and organizing for our flights this evening. After dinner we will leave the Dik Dik Hotel and transfer to the airport.
Overall the trip was a great success. We made some new friends, climbed Kilimanjaro and had fun on safari. We can't believe it is already over.
Thanks for following our adventure.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
The Four Day Summit Climb August 2 - 5 led by Win Whittaker and Jason Thompson reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today! The teams reported a beautiful day on the mountain. They experienced light winds, warm temperatures and were able to enjoy the views from the summit. There is a cloud deck currently below Camp Muir at approximately 7,500'. The teams are currently en route to Camp Muir and will continue their descent to Paradise this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climb!
Posted by:
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Jambo,
We left the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge today and traveled to Tarangire National Park. We stopped for a lunch in the bush and were treated to a delicious outdoor meal. Our excitement for the afternoon was a dust devil, a very small tornado looking weather feature, that could have spoiled our great meal. Tarangire has one of the highest concentrations of elephant and it did not disappoint today. We saw a few new species that we hadn't seen at the crater and got great views of two large male lions. The weather has been partly cloudy with a light wind which as made for a perfect safari set up keeping us and the animals cool from the hot African sun.
We are now at the Kikoti Camp located just outside Tarangire National Park. We will be spending our last evening in Tanzania enjoying a great dinner followed by a bonfire in the courtyard of the hotel listening to the sounds of the African night.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Posted by: Jeff Martin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hello from the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge,
Well, the elusive tree climbing lions were no where to be seen today, but the game viewing at Lake Manyara proved to be spectacular. From the moment we entered the gate, there were lots of animals. The first sighting of the day was a troop of baboons, followed by velvet monkeys, blue monkeys, giraffes, cape buffalo, elephants, hippos, and water bucks. Not bad for the first hour of our safari.
We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the park, and took enough pictures that a few batteries were already drained half way though the afternoon.
Lake Manyara is about an hour's drive to Ngorongoro crater and we timed it perfectly to be at the first viewpoint of the crater right before sunset. When you first approach the crater, the view is just spectacular. Dropping almost a 1000 feet below you is the largest unbroken and unflooded caldera in the world. It is almost 13 miles across and is home to 25,000 animals. Not surprising that many call this the eighth wonder of the world!
After a short drive along the crater rim from the viewpoint, we arrived at our lodge for the next two nights. The Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge sits right on the crater rim and each room has a full on view looking out over the entire crater.
We will get an early start in the morning to drive down into the crater. Tomorrow is going to be a big day and the group can't wait to get down there.
- The Kili Team
The Four Day Summit Climbs led by Brent Okita and J.J. Justman reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today. It is a beautiful day on Mt. Rainier, the teams experienced light winds and clear skies. They were beginning their descent from the crater rim at 7:30 a.m. en route to Camp Muir.
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz July 31 - 5 August led by Jake Beren reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The team has returned to their high camp and will spend their last night on the mountain. They will do some additional training before returning to Paradise tomorrow afternoon.
Congratulations to today's team!
Posted by: Jeff Martin
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hello from the Dik Dik Hotel,
We had an early wake up call at Mweka camp this morning and were on the trail by 8:00 am. It was blue skies leaving camp then we descended into the cloud forest and had the first rain of the trip. Even though we had a long summit day yesterday, the team was very motivated and made great time walking down to the park gate. We said our goodbyes to all the support staff that helped us climb Kilimanjaro and then loaded up the bus to head back to the Dik Dik.
After being greeted by a glass of champagne, we headed immediately for a well deserved hot shower.
We just finished our celebration dinner and will re-pack our bags once again, but this time, it is for a new adventure - our safari that starts tomorrow. First stop is Lake Manyara, most well known for it's tree climbing lions. We will let you know if we are lucky enough to see one.
Cheers,
The Kili Team
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Been following you guys, but I’ve been a bit off and quiet. Jeff sure paints a pretty amazing scene with the crater and all its beauty.You must feel like giants among mortals after coming down off of Kili I would imagine. The animals and their potential bring you right back to earth though eh? What Jeff describes sounds like the beginning of time and it hasn’t change one bit. I’m an animal lover so I am even more jealous of you all than I was when you were squeezing in two breaths for every step up there at 19+. I cant imagine anything more amazing on this globe than where you are right now. Drink it up. It may be a once in a lifetime for many of you. Rusty and Sara, I hope you guys are doing well, and the whole team also. Stay safe everybody. Almost forgot, if you see a cute cuddly honey badger and you want coax him closer for a pic, Don’t, cuz honey badger don’t give a shit.
Gummi Worm Man
Posted by: gummi worm man on 8/4/2011 at 12:51 pm
It all sounds enchanting! The crater at sunset, and all the wildlife…I bet it is captivating. We so enjoyed the photo and you know we miss you.
L & Bailey
Posted by: L & Bailey on 8/4/2011 at 12:33 pm
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