Jambo!
RAIN, rain, rain. Then we began to get ready in our nice dry tents, and emerged to a cool cloudy beautiful day. If you didn't have ear plugs in you may have missed a little shut eye but the whole team had a great night and a wonderful hike up here to the Shira Camp. Not often can you enjoy the awesome waterfalls that only run during storm time. We were fortunate to enjoy perfect conditions into camp and arrive to a great hot lunch and sunshine.
We are looking at the white, white, summit of Kilimanjaro above so plenty of excitement ahead. We are planning to have the team throw an extra layer in our kit based upon current conditions.
So many trips in the past with team members having some challenges at this point and some calling this their high point but no issues with this team of mountaineers so far. Such a pleasure for a guide to have a team that has done their home work. Mid term tomorrow, final exam just around the corner. Here I go to study up, dispatch ya later.
Cheers
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Good show everyone! I’m folowing the climb because of Steve Evans, my neighbor and friend - so a special “good luck” with all his camera gear and battery life! I’m totally impressed with all of you and this effort!
Hey gang, this is Billy checking in with Geoff and Pete here. We're giving you guys a call from basecamp, Plaza Argentina, after a successful summit attempt yesterday. We spent a good part of the day today walking down from high camp at Plaza Cholera all the way down here to basecamp, just under 14,000 feet. Everybody is a great mood. We enjoyed an awesome meal of mashed potatoes and roasted chicken, courtesy of the great folks at Grajales, our outfitter. Right now we are just getting all of our mule loads prepared for the long walk to the road tomorrow. And should actually take all day tomorrow and a half of the next day before we're back to civilization. For all those you that are following along, this might be the last you’ll hear of us until we're back to Mendoza. And thanks for following along. And we'll talk to you all soon. Ciao.
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
Greetings from our high camp on Ixta at 14,700 feet above sea level. Today we hiked from our hut to this high camp below the Ayoloco Glacier, known here as the Stomach of Ixta, the 'White Woman.' Everyone did very well today and seems to be handling our new high point very well.
This afternoon we are reviewing crampons, ice axes and rope travel around camp before an early dinner. For dinner's entertainment we will go over the plan for tomorrow's attempt on Ixta, looking at our route and discussing our strategies for the day. Then it's off to bed for an early start for summit day. Wish us luck!
RMI Guide Jake Beren
Jambo!
Kaboom went the thunder, down came the rain. Thank goodness we were in our very comfortable rooms at the Dik Dik hotel.
After breakfast our vehicles were loaded and ready, we climbed aboard and began the drive to Kilimanjaro's Machame gate (5,900') where our climb began.
We had perfect conditions for the climb today. With the beginning of the climb located in the rainforest it can be a tough start with high heat and humidity. Not for this group of lucky folk, light clouds, mild temps is what we had to deal with. Happy is this guide with the performance of his team today, everyone is looking strong and feeling great.
We are now at the Machame camp, the first of many.
Lots to do, dispatch with ya all tomorrow.
Cheers,
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Travel day to Altzimoni hut.
The roads were great as we drove from La Malinche to Amecameca to do a little final food shopping and check out the colorful local market.
Then we finalized our approach to the Altzimoni hut and spent the afternoon sorting our gear, setting up tents and taking a walk to scope our route on Ixtaccihuatl.
Tomorrow we will move to our high camp and prepare for our summit attempt.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
Hi everybody, who’s been following along. This is Billy, just checking in, we just completed, our summit day and we were able successfully put six climbers on top of Aconcagua this afternoon. We’re all back at camp safe and sound. And we enjoyed a sunny summit and then the weather kinda came in on our descent. And we are sitting in tents right now and it's snowing lightly. But pretty much plans from here on out are to pack up and high tail it out- out to basecamp and then straight back to Mendoza. Everyone sends their love to their family members and loved ones, and especially Richard. Richard wanted me to make a point of saying that he loves his wife very much and that she’s his valentine and that he could not have summitted today without her. And we’ll check in again as things progress and we're headed back home. All right. Take care. Bye bye.
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
Nice job everyone. I was on Billy’s team last year standing atop Aconcagua, and have been following your progress. Congratulations! Now get outta there safely!
If he isn’t doing his Chicago Superfan routine on your hike out, you are totally missing out.
Posted by: Dan on 2/15/2011 at 12:03 pm
Great job guys! I’m happy for y’all! Lots of Malbec waiting for you in the city. Maybe even Basecamp, if you’re as lucky as Team Gabby was.
Jambo!
Everyone arrived safely to the Dik Dik Hotel in Tanzania. We spent the day organizing gear and packing our bags. The Team looks in great shape and everybody spot on with a positive attitude.
We have just finished a five course meal and are looking forward to some much needed sleep after all our travels. We will be up early tomorrow to start the climb.
Word from the mountain is that a pretty big snow storm rolled through today up high, so it is nice to be down here for that one.
We will be sending updates on our progress, so stay tuned.
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Wishing you all a Happy Valentine’s day from the RMI Kili Team in Arusha!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
I am Steve’s daughter Heather :) I just wanted to say how much all of you ROCK for doing this climb! Have a great climb!
And specifically to my dad: Dad, I am so incredibly proud of you and cannot wait to hear (and see) about this incredible experience!!! You are THE coolest and most inspiring person and father. Enjoy this trip - you deserve it! I LOVE YOU!
Sending you all positive vibes from Madrid,
- Heather
PS now I will leave you with my favorite quote:
“The purpose to life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for never and richer the experience” - Eleanor Roosevelt
Today we left the hustle of Mexico City and drove to the high altitude training facility of La Malintzi for our first taste of the thin air. We hiked through the forest, climbing until we broke above treeline and gained our high point on the ridge of La Malinche at around 13,000 feet. We were strong today and after a little siesta and dinner are bedding down to rest up for tomorrows journey to the Altzimoni hut, our jump off for Ixta.
Buenas Noches and happy birthday to Christian and a big Valentine's Day hug to all the sweeties up North.
Hey everybody, it's Billy checking in for the entire crew. We woke up this morning to beautiful blue sky and calm winds and finally the storm broke for us. So we packed up our stuff and left Chopper Camp. We just moved in here at Camp Cholera and looks like this weather is gonna be holding for us through the evening and tomorrow and that makes tonight our summit attempt so will be getting up pretty early in the morning tomorrow and if all goes according to plan, we’ll be standing on top of the Americas, the summit of Aconcagua. We will give you guys a phone call and check in tomorrow at the end of the day and let you know how things went. Wish us luck.
Talk later. Ciao.
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
RMI Guide Billy Nugent talks about the planned summit attempt for tomorrow.
Last night our entire crew met in the lobby of our Colonial-era hotel in the heart of Mexico City, right on the Zocalo or main square. We all introduced ourselves and began the process of turning into a team by all going out to a local restaurant where we ate great authentic food and were serenaded by a squad of Mariachis.
This morning we had a quick breakfast before finishing up our packing and heading down to meet Rogelio, our long-time transportation guru here in Mexico. He will help us travel to La Malintzi where we will begin our acclimatization process by hiking up to 13,000 feet on the old volcano of La Malinche.
Here we go!
RMI Guide Jake Beren
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Good show everyone! I’m folowing the climb because of Steve Evans, my neighbor and friend - so a special “good luck” with all his camera gear and battery life! I’m totally impressed with all of you and this effort!
Posted by: Paul Basta on 2/16/2011 at 3:41 pm
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