Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer and the Five Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Zeb Blais reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at about 6:50 am this morning. The team climbed into a cap with some high winds and a bit of rime. They have started their descent and are en route back to Camp Muir. Congratulations to today's Teams!

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What an accomplishment:) Congratulations!!!

Posted by: Paula Walters on 8/10/2015 at 1:31 pm

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Scramble up the Barranco Wall

August 9, 2015

Posted by:

We are at Karanga Valley. That's one camp below high camp. We had another great weather day and the crew is strong. I'm going to hand off the rest of the dispatch to some of the folks on the trip. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall Barranco Camp was one of the most gorgeous places on earth. Today's climb was fantastic. We prefer our rocks scrambled, so we took the opportunity to have fun on the Barranco Wall (tell your friends). Looking forward to moving on to high camp tomorrow and then making the summit push starting tomorrow at midnight. #chillimanjaro

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Following your climb, Molly. Love reading the blog. Good luck to everyone. Love you..

Posted by: Ann regan on 8/9/2015 at 6:02 pm

Keep on climbing….sounds wonderful! Hi Lance, we are following your back home. I think you will come home a changed man after this.

Posted by: Rene Bybee on 8/9/2015 at 2:06 pm

Kilimanjaro: Justman and Team Reach Shira Camp 12,570’

August 9, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman

Elevation: 12,570'

Team Orlando arrived at Shira Camp 12,570 feet. Today hiked the trail which became steeper and rockier as the vegetation thinned away. The gnarled trunks of heather disappeared and we entered the moorland, the grasses and rocky terrain unique to Eastern Africa, After we ascended the wide ridge we gained the Shira Plateau. We descended a few hundred feet along the edge and into our camp that is tucked among sparse vegetation and volcanic rock bands. We have beautiful views of Kilimanjaro's upper slopes as well as Mt Meru. RMI Guide JJ Justman

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Following you Ninja Llex! Safe travels all!
143! :)

Posted by: Heather on 8/10/2015 at 5:09 am

Mt. Rainier: August 9th Summit!

August 9, 2015

Posted by: Mike Walter

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Mike Walter reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today. Mike reported broken clouds in the valley and clear skies above Paradise with light winds from the southwest. The team has started their descent and are now en route back to Camp Muir. Congratulations to today's team!

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What an accomplishment! Congratulations!!!

Posted by: Paula N Walters on 8/9/2015 at 11:44 am

Kilimanjaro: Justman & Team Enter Kilimanjaro National Park and Establish First Camp

August 8, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman

Elevation: 9,800'

We traveled to Kilimanjaro National Park today. We registered with the Park and we began our climb. We left the cultivation zone where bananas and coffee plants abound and we entered the forest zone. The lush rainforest of Kilimanjaro's lower slopes were covered in mist. The trail, which is an old jeep trail, soon narrowed into a beautiful trail that winded through thick vegetation and enormous trees. We kept an eye out for the elusive Blue and Colobus monkeys but they were hiding from the rain. As we approached Machame Camp we left the forest zone and into the Heather and Moorland zone. We saw some heather that is over 30 feet tall! It's nice to be at 10,000 feet and the team is doing great! RMI Guide JJ Justman

On The Map

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Hike to Barranco Camp

August 8, 2015

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 12,800'

Hello from Barranco Camp on Kilimanjaro. We are set up in this beautiful valley with the Giant Senecia trees all around. The crew did great today on our 6.5 hour hike. The day started off cloudy, cold and windy after a little weather system moved in overnight. But by the time we reached our high point at 14,900' the wind was dying and the sun was out. The temperature crept up and up as we descended to camp and it is quite comfortable now. We will relax for the rest of the afternoon and evening and get fueled up for the Barranco Wall tomorrow. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

On The Map

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Really enjoying reading about your great adventure! Keep safe and take lots of photos, Andrew and Rachel!

Posted by: Caroline Maryan on 8/9/2015 at 8:11 am

Ancient Chinese Proverb: “Even a thousand mile journey begins with just one step.” Keeping the summit in your sights, take it one step at a time. Take care all! Luv Ya Catie and Rachel! Quite an adventure for a couple of Susquehanna Crusaders who’s origins are the Rock Street Pool in Shamokin.

Posted by: Phil & Lois on 8/9/2015 at 6:35 am

Mt. Rainier: August 8th Summit!

August 8, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Eric Frank

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guides Billy Nugent and Eric Frank led their Four Day Summit Climbs to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Billy reported lots of climbers on the route and light winds. The teams are enjoying some time on the summit before beginning their descent. We look forward to seeing the teams in Ashford this afternoon. Congratulations climbers!

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One of the highlights of my life, for sure. Thanks to the RMI team for the positive experience and seamless operation.

Posted by: Dan Colavito on 8/11/2015 at 12:12 pm

Awesome!! Hope it was all you dreamed of team!!!

Posted by: Gretchen on 8/8/2015 at 3:29 pm

Kilimanjaro: Justman & Team Visit a Local Orphanage

August 7, 2015

Posted by: JJ Justman

Today our Orlando Kilimanjaro Team slept in after a long flight. We organized gear and got ready for our upcoming climb. After lunch we explored the area and visited an orphanage where the beautiful children of this area touched our hearts. Please visit tupendanechildren.org.

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Love the updates! So excited for all of you! Have a fantastic time and be safe! Xo

Posted by: Jamie on 8/8/2015 at 7:08 am

Dale and team, wishing you all the very best! How you are ELL having fun and taking it in!!

To the young folks. Take care of Mr Dale!!!

Posted by: Ken nason on 8/7/2015 at 3:58 pm

Mt. Rainier: August 7th Summit!

August 7, 2015

Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Kel Rossiter

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guides Elias de Andres Martos and Kel Rossiter led our Summit Climb teams to the top of Mount Rainier this morning. Their views spanned out to Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams and other peaks in the Cascade Mountains. Both teams began their descent after 8:15 a.m. Congratulations Summit Climb Teams!

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Congratulations on summititing Mt. rainier this am. I knew you could do it.

Posted by: Jeanette on 8/7/2015 at 12:41 pm

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Check in from Shira Camp

August 7, 2015

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 12,500'

Jambo! This is Seth checking in. I finally received my luggage and can now begin to send reports from the mountain. I have to thank the wonderful staff at the Dik Dik hotel for getting my bag delivered to 12,500' on Kilimanjaro. The group is all doing really well. We have had two excellent days on the trek so far. Our camp tonight is at the Shira Plateau which gives us a wonderful view of the summit. The weather has been just fine as well. We had a few drops of rain yesterday but we had already arrived in camp when that started. Everyone is climbing strong. I'll check in again tomorrow. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

On The Map

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Seth- great posts! Way to go Rachel, Andrew, Catie, and the rest of the gang.

Posted by: Karla on 8/12/2015 at 8:01 am

Seth, take good care of the Texan on the trip. Enjoy the climb. Mark

Posted by: mark miller on 8/8/2015 at 5:45 am