Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Jambo (Swahili for hello/greetings) from Tanzania
All is well here in Tanzania and the team has finally all safety arrived after some very long flights. It was a short and peaceful ride to our lodge that is nestled in between Arusha and Moshi and not so far from the base of Kilimanjaro. The team had a quick dinner and headed for bed as the time change had us all feeling just a little off and pretty tired after all the traveling.
Today we had a leisurely morning with our group meeting after breakfast , where we did a round of introductions and then discussed the upcoming program for the days ahead. The team spent the remainder of the day getting our gear packed up, exploring the grounds of our peaceful lodge and dodging the gaggle of monkeys patrolling the grounds.
We wrapped up the evening with a delicious meal and plenty of friendly conversations.
Seems the team has had their fill of cake since we enjoyed celebrating our 2nd birthday in a row already.
Everyone is doing well and excited to be here.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Kili crew!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASEY GROM!
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Evan Sather
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,131'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Shuksan August 26 - 31 reached the summit of Mt. Shuksan via the Sulphide Glacier today around 11 am PT. RMI Guides Hannah Smith and Evan Sather are leading the six day seminar and reported a beautiful day with a light breeze. Prior to their summit attempt the team conducted basic mountaineering skills training. Their training will continue and expand to include anchor placements, various self and team crevasse rescue techniques, belays, rappelling, knots, route finding and fixed rope travel. Thus giving them sufficient skills to continue their mountaineering persuits.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Posted by: Mike Walter, Abby Westling, Leif Bergstrom, Josh Geiser, Nicole De Petris, Nick Sinapius
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Mike Walter & Abby Westling led the Four Day Climb August 26 - 29 to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning with all climbers in both groups. Mike reported a beautiful day on the mountain as the teams were approaching the crater rim around 7:10 am. Climbers will spend time in the summit crater before starting their descent, dropping 4,500' back to Camp Muir. After a quick stop they will continue the remaining 4,500' to Paradise. Once back at Rainier BaseCamp later this afternoon the program will conclude with a small celebration for the teams.
Nice work today everyone!
Posted by: Alan Davis, Seth Burns, Tatum Whatford, George Hedreen, Charlie Harrison, Brian Walters
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb August 25 - 28 was approaching the crater rim of Mt. Rainier at 6:40 am led by RMI Guides Alan Davis and Seth Burns. Alan reported climbing time from Camp Muir to the summit was 6 1/2 hours for the teams this morning. It's a beautiful day to be in the mountains with clear skies and light winds. The teams will enjoy some time at the summit today before retracing their steps and returning to Camp Muir. After a short time at Camp Muir, they will continue the final 4,500' to Paradise and conclude their program at Rainier BaseCamp later this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
What an incredible experience! The summit crater must have been breathtaking, and the four-day trek sounds unforgettable!
Posted by: Peol Solutions on 5/5/2025 at 1:09 am
The team’s success in summiting Mt. Rainier is truly inspiring. Congratulations on a remarkable achievement and an unforgettable experience! Well done!
Posted by: Right Angle Developers on 5/21/2024 at 2:12 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Matias Francis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 12,000'
The Four Day Climb Teams led by RMI Guides Dustin Wittmier and Matias Francis turned at 12,000' on Mt. Rainier today. Dustin reported high winds of 60 mph on the upper mountain that forced the teams to turn before reaching the summit. The team climbed safely back to Camp Muir and plan to depart at 11 am today. They will reach Paradise in the early afternoon.
Congratulations team!
Proud of you Cici!
Sometimes the best summits are at the place you turn around.
Mom
Posted by: Molly G on 8/27/2022 at 12:28 pm
Posted by:
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
We were up before the sun at Lokisale, our tented hotel in the outback of Tarangire. It was wonderful to sip coffee as the baobab trees took shape with the rising sun. Some heard a lion passing near to camp. The great staff put out a fine and fast breakfast for us and then we said goodbye and hopped into the Landcruisers for one final morning of safari. We cruised the “swamp” -a vast expanse of grass- with no other cars around. There were herds of zebra and elephant, wildebeest and Cape buffalo stretching for miles and miles. Eventually, Saiman and Izach pointed our vehicles toward the distant park entrance, but on the way, we saw the good stuff… a leopard climbing a tree, a lion hunting, hyenas crunching the bones of a kill… some final scenes to sustain us during endless airplane travel homeward.
It was a few more hours back to Rivertrees Inn, and then showers and packing for travel. We had time for a last dinner together out under the big trees, and then we were headed to the airport and a million lines and our goodbyes to each other.
It has been a fine two weeks of seeing the world together. Thanks for following along.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn and Team
Posted by: Kiira Antenucci, Emma Lyddan, Mira Schoeberlein
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The All-Women’s Climb led by RMI Guide Kirra Antenucci reached the summit of Mt. Rainier on a clear and beautiful day. The team took on all the challenges the Disappointment Cleaver route has to offer in the late summer and stood on the summit at 7:15 am.
Congratulations Team!
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Paradise Reached the Summit of Mt. Rainier after a week of training on the Paradise Glacier. RMI Guide Jack Delaney and Team spend three days on the Paradise glacier learning various alpine mountaineering techniques before making their way to Camp Muir for their summit attempt via the Disappointment Cleaver Route. The team had clear skies, calm winds, and beautiful views on the upper mountain.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
It is always tough to leave the Plantation Lodge. It is just too comfortable and the people are way too kind and friendly. But we tore ourselves away because of Tarangire National Park. It is a worthy motivating force… the chance to see incredible numbers and varieties of wildlife on a seemingly unlimited expanse of beautiful land. We got rolling out of Karatu at 8:30 AM but couldn’t resist a fine shopping opportunity for some Tanzanian keepsakes a short distance out of town. We still made it out to Tarangire by late morning and immediately began seeing animals and then more animals and more animals still. At first it was just the flavors we’d already become familiar with (zebra, wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, eagles, vultures, giraffes) but then we started seeing new things. Family after family of elephants, each with a wee one just a few months old. We saw a python up a tree. We saw lions chewing on a zebra. We saw hartebeest and elan and bushbucks and Dik Dik. We looked up every likely tree for leopards… but they are still hiding from us. Then we finished the day at Lokisale Lodge, deep within the park. The staff gave us a friendly welcome and lit a fire for us to enjoy sunset by. They warned us gently of the wild animals roaming through the grounds of the lodge and then showed us to our deluxe tent cabins. We are about to eat our final dinner together, way out in East Africa.
Best Regards
Posted by: Alex Halliday, Tatum Whatford, Joey Manship, Josh Geiser, George Hedreen, Lily Emerson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guide Tatum Whatford radioed at 7 am that the first rope teams of the Four Day Climb August 22 - 25 were reaching the crater rim. The remaining teams were 10 minutes out. Tatum reported a beautiful morning on the mountain with no wind and a very good route. Once they spend a bit of time on the summit, Tatum along with RMI Guide Alex Halliday will lead their climbers back to Camp Muir where they will have a quick break to re-organize and pack for their remaining descent to Paradise. The teams will conclude their program this afternoon with a celebration at Rainier BaseCamp.
Way to go teams!
Great to see the group picture! Looking forward to following your climb!
Posted by: Alicia Avila on 8/30/2022 at 8:11 am
Love the pictures of this adventurous group! What great memories you will create with these wonderful companions. I know Katy will keep you highly entertained and motivated. Have a safe and joyful climb!
Posted by: Cindy White on 8/29/2022 at 6:42 pm
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