Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Hello points North, this is Jake on the summit of Pico de Orizaba with our team who did a great job today getting up in good style. We had awesome weather, light winds, warm, we are on the top looking into the crater right now. Enjoying some great views and really unbelievable day.
So thanks to everybody back home for all of the support and we will be calling you when we get down. Well, all right, that's it from the third highest point in North America.
Take care up there and we'll be seeing you soon.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
RMI Guide Jake Beren calls from the summit Pico de Orizaba
On The Map
Hello from Piedra Grande, our high camp on Pico de Orizaba at 14,000 feet. Today we left La Malintzi and traveled to Dr Reyes's (our host and outfitter) and prepared our equipment for the climb. Then we loaded up the trucks and made our way to camp. Kind of nice to drive so high and save our legs for the climb.
Now it's off to bed to get our last full night's sleep before the big one. Hope everyone up north is doing great.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
On The Map
CT—We’re rooting for you all the way to the summit! Love from your lazy Texas family!
Posted by: Delia Martin on 3/10/2011 at 6:35 am
Fortunately for the team the cloud that built over La Malinche lost some intensity and broke long enough to allow us to all stand on the summit. Congratulations on a great day! Our climb to the top of this 14,500' volcano is a major part of our acclimatization process. To get to such a high elevation and be able to rest really helps get us ready for our next few days.
Everyone climbed strong and after a big day is set for some hot showers and a good night's sleep. Well done!
RMI Guide Jake Beren
On The Map
Snuggled in tent now to get up soo early for climb. Good luck and we love you, Rollie
Posted by: RollieAllen on 3/9/2011 at 4:46 pm
Mom - We hope you are doing great! Good luck on Orizaba… tonight at midnight! We love you and have a great time! XO
Posted by: Libby and Robby on 3/9/2011 at 5:10 am
"No one knew who they were. . . or what they were doing. . ."
But with help from our archeologist guide, Jorge, we got a fascinating glimpse of the ancient city of Teotihuacan. Exploring the Avenue of the Dead and the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon it was remarkable to imagine that these dry ruins once supported the bulk of central Mexico's commerce and over 120,000 people. The city is actually built on top of multiple variations of previous cities that were covered and preserved. Quite a tour of an amazing site where you could spend lifetimes unlocking the secrets buried beneath the volcanic rock.
After scratching the surface of the 2000 year old city we took a tour of a local obsidian factory where the volcanic glass is hand carved into traditional Aztec figures and masks as well as meticulously crafted silver jewelery.
By this point in our day it was time for lunch and after a very short drive we sat down to another great meal before travelling to our home for the next few days, La Malintzi. Here we will accclimatize and prepare for our attempt of Pico de Orizaba.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
On The Map
You know how I love the mystical stone from ancient times Miss you Love, Rollie
Posted by: Rollie Allen on 3/7/2011 at 8:12 am
Mom - We miss you and we bet you got some “meticulously crafted silver jewelry” yesterday! Love Libby and Robby
Posted by: Libby and Robby on 3/7/2011 at 5:00 am
Everyone arrived safe and sound in Mexico City today and checked in to our lovely hotel right in the heart of the second largest city on the planet. Amazing to think that in a few short days we will be high in the alpine, far above the hustle and bustle of this metropolis.
This evening our team assembled for the first time and started the process of getting to know our teammates for the week and familiarizing ourselves with the game plan. After our first meeting we took to the streets as a light rain fell and had a great meal at an ornately decorated restaurant just a few blocks away. Well fed, our exit was delayed by an above-average Mariachi band for a few numbers giving us time to adjust and relax into local time. Back at the hotel for a few winks, we will leave the city tomorrow and explore some ancient pyramids on our way to the mountains.
Buenas noches from Mexico City,
RMI Guides Jake Beren, Eric Frank and Team
Monica enjoy. Get ready for Kili. Talk Jake into guiding us there.
Posted by: Fletch on 3/7/2011 at 4:43 am
Sue and Ct you were mentioned in church in prayer today for a wonderful climb and experience. Love to you both.
Posted by: Rollie on 3/6/2011 at 5:50 pm
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Jambo!
We are all back at the Dik Dik Hotel where it all started not so long ago. Since then, we have climbed a Big Mountain and seen wildlife galore. We had some tough moments and most recently some very easy ones. We have made some new friends and had a chance to visit with past ones.
All and all, we had a great time.
It was nice to have you following our dispatches. Thank you.
I look forward to starting my next dispatch in March with Namaste, when I return to Nepal for yet another expedition on the Big Everest.
All the best,
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Jambo!
Mark Tucker here calling from the Kikoti Camp, outside of the Tarangire National Park, Tanzania. We had a wonderful game drive today, many, many animals, lots of elephant, lots of leopards. I could go on and on and make you all so jealous. So we are having a real fun time at this beautiful property we are at here tonight. We will have coffee in the morning on our lanai. Then we will be making our way back to the Dik Dik Hotel for an evening flight tomorrow. If all works out we will be back in your neck of the woods sooner than later.
We’ll drop you a note tomorrow.
All the best,
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
RMI Guide Mark Tucker checks in from the Kikoti Camp, Tanzania.
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Jambo!
We are checking in from the fabulous Plantation Lodge in Tanzania.
We had an incredible day of game viewing at the Ngorongoro Crater. At one point we even had a baboon in the driver’s seat of our safari vehicle. That was kind of exciting. We saw many of the beautiful animals that make their home in this extinct crater, lion, giraffe, zebra and elephant along with many species of monkeys and birds.
Tomorrow we head out to Tarangire National Park. The weather has been cooperating and everyone is having fun.
Wish you were here.
All the best,
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
We left the Dik Dik Hotel this morning to begin our game viewing safari. We stopped in the town of Arusha for a little shopping for locally made gifts and souvenirs. We continued our drive to Lake Manyara National Park and found a remote and peaceful spot for our delicious barbecue lunch.
After a short but strong rain we finished the afternoon with a wonderful game drive in cool temperature, no dust and sweet thick air.
We are now resting and relaxing here at the Plantation Lodge, really roughing it with a four course deluxe meal.
We are off to the Ngorongoro Crater tomorrow looking for the elusive Rhino, to name just one, and then returning here another for another night at the lodge.
Life is rough!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Just finished a wonderful meal at The Dik Dik hotel with the whole team.
They all look about the same as when we started the climb, but I believe everyone of them has change in some sense inside. I think a greater self awareness and positive outlook on just how tough and how much they can endure was brought to life over the course of this expedition. Thank goodness for the available hot showers this afternoon it was a nice touch to have them change on the outside.
Perfect weather for our 3 hour hike to the end of the trail where we said good by to a fantastic group of local men who helped us with the climb of Kilimanjaro. Couldn't have done it without them. Thanks so much to The Dik Dik Hotel and RMI staff for all they have done.
We will start the Safari part of the program tomorrow and I will do my best to keep you in the loop.
May it be a short time before this group gets to a new trail head for the start of another great adventure.
Cheers,
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
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CT - thought of you all day yesterday going up, up, up. So proud of you! Hugs!
Posted by: Holly Stuart on 3/11/2011 at 2:03 am
Congratulations Kelsey and the entire team! Can’t wait to hear all about it! xo Kirky
Posted by: Kirsten on 3/10/2011 at 7:41 pm
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