Entries from Expedition Dispatches
The Emmons Seminar team, led by RMI Guide Christina Dale, summitted Mt. Rainier this morning. At 12:20 pm the team was back at Camp Schurman where they will stay for the night and descend tomorrow. Christina reported that 100% of the team reached the top! Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
The perfect climb continued in similar fashion. We woke under clear skies at 10,000 ft. Each climber commented on how nice it had been to sleep on level ground and at low altitude. We ate one last fine mountain meal and then met, across a clearing in the forest, with our entire 54 man support staff. Philip spoke for his men, expressing gratitude and satisfaction with a week's worth of hard work on our behalf. I spoke for our gang -attempting to express our amazement and gratitude at their efforts. A few songs were sung and gifts exchanged. We set out down the forest trail and before too long were in thick cloud and eventually rain. There was some discussion later though, as to whether it was actually rain or just a particularly wet cloud we were in. It didn't really matter though, as it didn't get us very wet and it didn't last so long. We picked our way down 4,000 vertical feet of slippery trail without mishap and hit the Mweka Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park. After some handshakes, photographs and documentation, we loaded the bus and cruised downhill. Our staff hosted one last amazing lunch on our return, just above the city of Moshi, and then we hit the highway. Gasps were heard when we finally could look back and see Kilimanjaro towering over the clouds. (We hadn't seen it at all before the climb). It didn't seem possible for a mountain to be so big.
As good as the climb had been, nobody was sad to be back at our comfortable lodge with hot showers and fine food and drink. We relaxed away the afternoon and celebrated away the evening... within limits of course. The Safari awaits.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Mike Uchal
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside
Elevation: 15,300'
We are that much closer to touching the ceiling of Europe. After a bit of a blustery night, things were beautiful and calm this morning. We packed up our tents, said goodbye for now to Alaska, the camp comfort dog, and headed back up our boot track from yesterday. Clouds built quickly and we wondered whether we would get wet, but the precip stayed away, and the respite from the sun was quite pleasant. We reached our new camp at 15,300' in short order, and settled into pouring our homes back together. As we crawled in for a siesta, the clouds caught back up with us, starting with first hail, and then transitioning to snow. We are now enveloped in a bit of a winter wonderland, though the first hint of sunlight will change that.
We hope to see a clear sky and calm conditions when we wake up in the morning to give us our shot at the summit. We're ready!
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
On The Map
Following this exciting climb!. Thinking of my cousin!... So amazing you can do this Robin!... Lying here warm and toasty. Hope the same for all of you!
Posted by: Stacy and Seth on 8/9/2017 at 7:44 pm
Good Luck Sonam and your climb team! We are all rooting for you at SkyKick!
Kelly and Team.
Posted by: Kelly Rodriguez on 8/9/2017 at 2:04 pm
We had fantastic weather making for a fantastic day. We are so happy it is silly! Out here in the office we could not have had a better day. This morning we had a steep start right out of the gate but no problem for the "A team". There are a couple scrambling sections, and the team took it bite for bite, chewed it well. Thanks to the amazing work of our porter and our Camp and meal were waiting when we arrived. We now sit at Shira Camp, just over 12,000'. We had a great lunch now are relaxing and letting our bodies adjust to our new altitude.
Tomorrow we will head up to over 14,000'. and then down in to camp at just below 13,000'. Stay tuned!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker & Team!
All is well at Kilimanjaro Camp 1; otherwise known as Machame Hut. We are already at 10,000 feet for our first night on the mountain. Interestingly 10,000 feet here is still below tree line, whereas on Mt. Rainier 10,000 feet is way above tree line and glaciated.
The hiking today was great with a little cloud cover, which helped with very pleasant temperatures and not a whole lot of mud to get here. We are still recovering after our team member Barbara's 75th birthday party last night. We have a real fun group, everyone was chatting away between themselves and with our African guides who will accompany us the whole time up the mountain. We spent a total of about six hours on the trail and combined with jet lag should make for good sleeping tonight.
Until tomorrow,
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
Happy birthday to Geoff Melrose. (8/10). Good climbing to all.
Posted by: Peter melrose on 8/9/2017 at 8:59 pm
Good luck Andrew and Nik!
Posted by: Steve Martin on 8/9/2017 at 8:48 am
RMI Guide Ty Reid and the summit climb team were approaching the true summit of Mt. Rainier, Columbia Crest, at 6:20 a.m. The weather is warm and not smoky above 12,500'. By 8:35 a.m. the team was at the top of Disappointment Cleaver on their descent.
Congratulations to the summit climb teams!
The Five Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Solveig Waterfall reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Solveig and team spent two nights at Camp Muir taking advantage of extra day to acclimate to the higher elevation. This payed off with a successful climb this morning! The team has started their descent and are en route back to Camp Muir.
Congratulations to today's team!
Great job Matt and the group! Your hard work paid off, hope you had a blast. Thank you to the guides for a safe climb. God bless, Love ya Matt
Posted by: Kevin Kilbane on 8/8/2017 at 6:03 pm
Congratulations to the team.
You worked hard for such a tremendous accomplishment.
Love you BD
Posted by: Anne Mercer on 8/8/2017 at 9:41 am
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Mike Uchal
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside
Elevation: 12,300'
Another pretty perfect, successful day here in Russia. Sunny, clear skies beckoned us up towards Lenz Rocks, where we will make high camp. The plumes of snow we saw yesterday were still twirling their way our of the col between the east and west summits, but we had only a fresh breeze to face as we made our way up. Everyone climbed really well, hitting their high altitude glacial climbing stride. We left a small cache of food and fuel at Lenz, then opened up our strides and cruised back to camp. We'll do it again tomorrow if the weather lets us, and move up with our tents and summit gear to get in position for our summit bid. It's getting close!
Best from the Caucasus,
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
Hope day is your best day yet, oh so close to your goal, prayers continue for the teams safety and good weather. Josh and Kelly we love you. GMS
Posted by: Sandy Cunningha on 8/9/2017 at 9:40 am
Best of luck everyone in the team!
Sonam, I know how much this means to you and I couldn’t be more prouder of you! Get it done! Can’t wait to celebrate upon your return!
Best regards,
Ephrem
Posted by: Ephrem on 8/8/2017 at 7:00 pm
Last night at 9:30 pm PST Dave Hahn called from the Kilimanjaro summit! Please click the audio button below to listen to his update from the Roof of Africa.
7:48 am PST
By any measure, this was a big day. For one thing, it began yesterday. At 11:30 PM precisely, we woke at 15,200 ft to begin our summit attempt. The moon was brilliant, high clouds and wind were non-existent... It was the perfect night for climbing. Our team assembled in the dining tent at midnight to swill coffee and porridge. By the time we were walking out of camp at 12:30, we'd already sung a few rounds of happy birthday to the 18 year-old twins, Max and Simon. Philip Mbise, our lead guide, brought the team skillfully, politely, and steadily through a hundred potential traffic jams. Everybody was out and on the move, but many were having the normal difficulties with the altitude, the terrain and the cold, so by merely keeping our team at a rock-steady "Pole Pole" pace, Philip passed team after team as we worked higher. Most of us didn't turn our headlights on until just before the crater rim, when we tore through a moon shadow. We hit Stella Point -on the rim- at 5:30 AM, still in darkness, but with an enchanting light show going on between imminent daybreak in the east and moon mania in the west. One hour later... at exactly 6:30, the sun rose and our entire team arrived together at Uhuru... The true summit of Kilimanjaro and Africa. It was cold, we'd been wearing down jackets for the last few hours to the top, but it was an absolutely magical and beautiful moment. There, at 19,340 ft, we celebrated those birthdays, the bonds of family and close friendships, and the wonders of the world. As we watched, a shadow of Kilimanjaro formed in the atmosphere to the West, exactly coinciding with the only landform breaking the surface of the cloud sea, the 16,000-foot pyramid of Mount Meru. As if that weren't enough, the full moon sat just above the twin apexes of ethereal and stone summits in the sky. We took pictures, hugged one another and wandered about wide-eyed and exhilarated. We left the summit at 7:00 and two hours and fifteen minutes later, this strong team was back in high camp. We had a grand feast of a brunch, capped off with a birthday cake which was hand delivered to Barafu from Arusha just yesterday. And then, at 11 AM we skedaddled and headed for Mweka Camp. Walking in pleasant weather, we reached camp at about 10,000 feet by 2:15 -earning a restful afternoon lounging in our forest camp.
The shoutouts today go to our own team... All of whom broke their previous altitude records. Special mention to 14 year-old Ella Green who absolutely crushed the day. To 16 year-old Zach Ginn, who would have gone on for another 5,000 feet if the mountain hadn't abruptly ended at 19,340. To our three 18 year-old brothers... Tyrone Green, Simon and Max Mount each of whom demonstrated uncommon discipline, maturity and good humor on a long tough day.
The loudest of shoutouts to Philip, to Freddy Kileo, to Gama Samvel, to Naiman Metil, to Venance Vicent, and Said Mwanja for flawless guidance.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
RMI Guide Dave Hahn calls in from the Kilimanjaro summit!
On The Map
Congratulations! Happy birthday to the twins! Sounds truly amazing! I can’t wait to hear about the details and see the pictures when you return! What a team! I’m so proud of Ella! You guys rock!!
Posted by: Lisa on 8/9/2017 at 4:56 am
Congratulations team Taos!
Fantastic achievement.
Safe journey back down.
Posted by: Deon on 8/9/2017 at 12:19 am
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Jambo!
Just tracked down the last missing bag so the whole team and gear are here.
We are packed and ready to go to Kilimanjaro tomorrow.
Everyone minus one arrived late last night and after a few hours of sleep, we met up for our first meeting and then a session on packing our gear for the next week on the mountain.
We spent the afternoon finalizing the preparation. Tomorrow we will get up at 6am and depart for the mountain around 8am. We have a five-hour climb to get to camp so a busy day ahead. With not a lot of clouds tonight, we watched the lunar eclipse. The weather looks good for now.
All is well with the team.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Thinking of you all as you get started on this amazing climb!
Posted by: Rhonda Bolton on 8/8/2017 at 7:48 am
Happy Birthday Barbara!! We love you and hope you and Ben have a wonderful trip!
Posted by: Christy Ramineni on 8/8/2017 at 7:15 am
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Steven & Alec how did it feel to be on top the world☺ We are glad everyone from your group is safe.
Love You!! Mom Hartje
Posted by: Mary Hartje on 8/10/2017 at 12:36 pm
Congrats Colin! Can’t wait to hear about it when you get back
Posted by: Michael on 8/10/2017 at 7:35 am
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