Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
I'll have difficulty describing the sheer numbers of animals that we saw today, so bear with me. If there are ten thousand big animals in the Ngorongoro Crater, we probably saw half of them.
Our safari started quietly enough enjoying the views of the quintessentially African Acacia trees and some water bucks browsing as we descended into the caldera. Once there, the occasional zebra and wildebeest showed up, but then we really got into the animals. Herd sizes got bigger and gazelles, impalas, hyenas, jackals, wart hogs got into the picture.
Hippos were seen from just feet away as they baked in the sun half submerged in ponds. But then the mission was to find the royalty of the crater, the lions and elephants. We didn't have to wait long. Although this pride of lions were mostly sleeping and not out chasing dinner, we were en rapt by their presence.
Elephants were next, though they were at a distance. However, their mammoth size made them stand out like the giants they are on the savanna. Rhinos too were seen from a distance, but the water buffalo showed itself up close and personal.
The day was capped off by seeing five elephants just 70 yards away at the top of the crater as we were leaving the park. Not to mention the baboons that were scattered all over the road on the way out, just hanging out, getting each other. One even jumped on our Landcruiser, causing a stir as we quickly rolled up windows.
Then it was back to the hotel where Luis arranged a nice wine tasting before dinner. Following another great meal the hotel staff came out with a cake to celebrate Gennadiy's birthday, and outdid themselves with a wonderful Tanzanian birthday song and dance.
The evening ended with a huge bonfire and libations.
Another safari to come, I'll be back after that.
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Posted by: Robby Young, JT Schmitt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Summit Climb teams, led by RMI Guides Robby Young and JT Schmitt, reached the top of Mt. Rainier and are on their descent. As the teams began their ascent from Camp Muir, there was warm weather for climbing but as they neared the summit the temperatures became cooler with 30 mph winds on the summit.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climb Teams!
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Well it took until mid-morning, but we finally had our whole team, with gear, in one place. Ten climbers and one RMI guide meeting at the hotel in Usa River on the outskirts of Arusha, Tanzania. Folks are jet-lagged, but today was actually an easy day of discussing the plan of attack, conducting gear checks and getting things packed and ordered for going on the mountain. That didn’t take the whole day, and so there was plenty of time for napping and strolling the gardens of the Arumeru River Lodge. Kilimanjaro was visible from the viewing tower on the grounds and was looking magnificent with all of the recent snow up high. We got together for dinner and talked climbing (naturally) but also chatted about running and biking and careers and pretty places.
We’ll get on the road in the morning for Kilimanjaro.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
You guys rock!!! So fun to follow you on this. THANK YOU!! Enjoy your climb. We will praying and cheering from here. Love ya
Posted by: Brenda Drezen on 8/9/2018 at 4:31 pm
Sounds like you had a great first day! Excited to be able to follow your journey. Hope Jon is feeling better. Enjoy your adventure. ❤️ Kathy and Bill
Posted by: Kathy Bogert on 8/9/2018 at 3:47 pm
RMI Guide JM Gorum and the Five Day Summit Climb team August 4 - 8 reached the summit of Mt.Rainier with blue skies and clear views. The team enjoyed some time in the crater before starting their descent at 8:00AM. They will return to Camp Muir, repack and continue their descent to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp later today.
Way to go to team!
Yay! Hope you got some nice pics to share. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers for safe journey back down. ❤️
Posted by: Beth Snider on 8/8/2018 at 12:04 pm
The Four Day Summit Climb August 5 - 8 led by RMI Guide Eric Frank reached the summit around 7:15 AM this morning. Eric reported warm conditions with a light wind above 13,000' as the group ascended from Camp Muir to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. They enjoyed the views from the crater and began their descent from the crater rim around 8 AM. The team will return to Camp Muir and continue down to Paradise later this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climb team!
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
What a nice contrast to the past seven days of climbing a 19,340' mountain. Tired legs got a much needed rest as we drove around Lake Manyara National Park searching out wildlife made famous in National Geographic specials on TV. We were not disappointed.
We rode around in retooled Toyota Land-cruisers made just for game viewing, complete with pop up roofs for looking at critters from above roof top level. These vehicles are the perfect way to access the terrain where we find the animals. Our team was split between two Land-cruisers. Our two drivers/guides, Francis and Godson, proved to be incredible sources of knowledge, having to graduate from a two year university program and do internships before being qualified as a safari guide. Yes, we saw zebras, hippos,wildebeests, Cape buffalo, baboons, monkeys, tons of birds, dik diks, impalas, and I forget what all else. But we also learned such things as the inner workings of termite mounds, the love life of baboons and a myriad of other things. Oh, and the other team got to see a bull elephant from ten yards away!
Now we're settled in at our plush hotel, the Plantation Lodge, where we're being spoiled by some cush living. Tomorrow, the Ngorogoro Crater awaits that should prove to be especially exciting. Ok, that's all for tonight. Dinner is served in ten minutes and I don't want to be late. I haven't had anything less than a superb meal here on Tanzania, and I expect no less tonight.
Lala Salama,
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Wow loved your story telling skills. Can’t wait for the pictures. Blessing on the rest of your adventures and explorations..
Love you tons,
Tia Becky
Girly
Posted by: Rebeca Woods on 8/7/2018 at 3:17 pm
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz led by RMI Guide Andy Bond worked their way through the Kautz Ice Chute early this morning to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier. The team was 100% to the summit! Andy reported warm weather climbing conditions and a tricky route. The team will camp and train one more night on the mountain before descending to Paradise.
Congratulations team!
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Recipe for recovery, rest and relaxation: one hot shower, two cold beers, great food, friends and a soft bed. So good!
Our descent from Mweka Camp at 10,000' to the gate and our bus went smoothly. It was preceded by the closing ceremony at camp where the mountain staff sing and dance to commemorate the special week spent together, and we in turn get to express our appreciation for their hard work and dedication to making our mountain experience as wonderful as it was.
An African lunch was enjoyed before we had to say goodbye to the local guides, porters and kitchen staff. Then it was back to the Arumeru Lodge to clean up and relax. The water ran brown for the first minute in the shower as the weeks worth of dirt washed off our bodies. I think we all felt a bit reborn as we put on clean clothes and headed to the bar for a cold one.
A nice surprise for me was seeing my good friend Dave Hahn, who was leading the RMI Kili trip before ours and getting ready to start his next trip.
Shortly, we'll be up for breakfast and beginning the next part of our adventure: the safari, where we plan on visiting Lake Manyara, the Ngorogoro Crater and the Tanagire National Park. There we'll be hoping to see some of the incredible wildlife this special part of the world call home. Lions, elephants, leopards, wildebeest, hippos, zebras, giraffes and so much more. And, no more walking for a while.
Bring it on!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Posted by: Jess Matthews, Jessie Poquerusse, Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 8,500'
Monday, August 6 - 9:00 AM PT
Jess Matthews checked in this morning on the Coleman-Deming route to report that the team turned around at 8,500' due to an newly opened and impassable crevasse. They made their descent safely back to camp and back to the parking lot where they will head into town for fresh food and hot showers.
RMI Guide Jess Matthews
The August 3 - 6 Four Day Summit Climb reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning around 6 AM PT. After enjoying blue skies and beautiful views they began their descent from the crater rim. They will return to Camp Muir and repack before descending to Paradise this afternoon. They will then return to BaseCamp to celebrate.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climb team!
Congrats to the two Matt’s. Great work and proud of you. Greg Bonder was with you guys.
Posted by: John on 8/6/2018 at 4:36 pm
We were waving at you guys from the middle of Lake Washington. I think I saw you waving back! You two are amazing Sarah and Matt.
Posted by: Cathy on 8/6/2018 at 1:27 pm
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Awesome job team. What a great way to inspire all of us. Safe descent my friends
Posted by: Stuart Nyren on 8/9/2018 at 10:01 am
Way to go Robby and team! It’s amazing to me that you were just up the four days ago- what you guys do is inspiring and RMI guides are rockstars!
Posted by: Casey Bradshaw on 8/9/2018 at 8:35 am
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