Entries from Expedition Dispatches

Elevation: 12,200'

Hi this is Seth. We are up on the Shira Plateau headed to camp. Its been an excellent day on the trail. The weather has been fantastic and we are looking forward to a hot lunch in camp. Tomorrow we will head to the Barranco Valley. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

On The Map

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Roger I am so happy that you made it. Now you can say I told you so.Rest an Enjoy the safari. Cam

Posted by: Cam on 8/25/2014 at 6:04 am

Roger Hope you are taking lots of pictures. So proud of your progress. Looks so challenging. Good luck. Cam

Posted by: Cam on 8/21/2014 at 7:41 am

Mount Rainier: Summit Climb Teams Reach the Top!

August 20, 2014

Posted by: JJ Justman, Elias de Andres Martos

Elevation: 14,410'

The RMI Four- and Five-Day Mount Rainier summit climbs reached the summit this morning by 7:30 a.m. The weather was surprisingly cold, moderate winds and a cloud deck at 8,000'. At 8:35 a.m. the teams began their descent from the crater rim and will make their way to Camp Muir, Paradise and then their celebration awaits at Rainier Basecamp. RMI Guides JJ Justman and Elias de Andres Martos

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Yay Sue M! Congratulations, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you tomorrow night :-)

Posted by: Sarah B on 8/20/2014 at 6:01 pm

Go Grandpa Rathburn! Amanda, Emily and Sue are watching your progress. We’re all very proud of you. I hope I can make that climb when I’m 75.

Posted by: Roger Rathburn Jr. on 8/20/2014 at 5:07 pm

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team at Machame Camp

August 19, 2014

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 9,800'

All is well at Machame Camp! The team was really fired up this morning. I was three minutes early to breakfast and I was the last to arrive. It's great to be on a trip with such an organized team. The drive to the gate was smooth and after checking in at the gate we started our trek. The trail was a little slick and muddy but we didn't get any rain along the way. Once we arrived in camp the crew had everything set up and ready to go. Everyone is now settling in for the night and getting ready for the hike up to Shira tomorrow. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

On The Map

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So excited to hear about your journey! We are proud of you Papa Roger.
You ROCK! Blessings to your entire team. xoxo

Much Love,
Dan, Robyn, Morgan, Paige and Ericka

Posted by: Robyn on 8/21/2014 at 5:02 am

You’re a B.A. Grandpa Roger. Keep it up.

Love Luke (I’m stay with dad tonight)

Posted by: Luke on 8/20/2014 at 2:46 am

Mt. Rainier: August 19th Update

August 19, 2014

Posted by: Jake Beren

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guide Jake Beren and the Mount Rainier summit climb began their descent from the crater rim at 7:55 a.m. They spent over an hour on the summit in beautiful and crisp weather. Congratulations to today's summit climbers!

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Wow, way to go. I’m sure this won’t soon be forgotten. What an opportunity, way to make it happen!

Posted by: Wick on 8/20/2014 at 10:35 pm

Congratulations Larry, Todd, Scott and all on your accomplishment! It must have been truly amazing up there.

Posted by: Angela Kantola on 8/20/2014 at 8:12 am

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Arrive in Africa

August 18, 2014

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Greetings from Tanzania! Our group is getting excited for the start of our trek. All of us arrived yesterday evening and spent today sorting through gear and recovering from the long flights. We also spent some time chatting with the folks from Mark Tucker's Kilimanjaro Climb and they all reported a great experience on the mountain. Tomorrow we'll get an early start and make our way to Kilimanjaro National Park. It should be good times! RMI Guide Seth Waterfall & Team.

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Prayers for a safe and fantastic trip for the team!

Posted by: dotti cummins on 8/19/2014 at 7:38 am

So excited to hear about the first day of the climb!! Good luck to everyone! Liz, thomas, kit and Mary

Posted by: Liz Blaney on 8/19/2014 at 4:58 am

Mt. Rainier: August 17th Update

August 17, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn

Elevation: 14,410'

Summit! RMI Guide Dave Hahn reached the Mount Rainier summit at 7:45 this morning. With beautiful blue skies and 10-15 mph winds, the team enjoyed the summit views for over an hour before beginning their descent at 9:00 a.m.

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Kilimanjaro: Tucker & Team’s Last Safari Day Ends at Kikoti Camp

August 16, 2014

Posted by: Mark Tucker

Yet another stellar Safari. Some clouds made for very pleasant temperatures all day. Tarangire National Park was the place to be. A bit of a terrain contrast from the crater, neither one better than the other, just different. Wide open big sky country out here. Mammals galore, in a very natural setting, as you can imagine. We ended up here at the luxury tent camp called Kikoti. The team has injured their stomachs by over indulgence. We are now sitting around a nice wood fire digesting our pains away. Very peaceful spot, the perfect setting to finish off this adventure. We will make tracks back through the park in the morning on our way to the Dik Dik Hotel to pick up some gear, than off to the airport. RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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Mt. Elbrus: Northside Team Enjoys St. Petersburg City Tour

August 16, 2014

Posted by: Jeff Martin, Pete Van Deventer

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside

Hi, Today we fully immersed ourselves in the culture and history of St. Petersburg. After an incredible breakfast at our hotel, we hit the streets to begin our city tour. Our city guide, Olga, led us through the maze of streets and canals to all the best churches, museums and cathedrals in the city. We tried our best to keep up with all the dates and facts that she knew by heart, but after several hours, we had to concede that it was a losing proposition. There is simply just way too much to see and learn. By the time we toured Saint Isaac's Cathedral, the fourth largest cathedral in the world, we were ready to take a break. We met up for an early dinner and then with a second wind, we finished the day with a boat tour of the canals and Neva River. The city is even more beautiful from the water and the perfect view in which to remember this city. Sadly, this adventure comes to an end tomorrow as we go our separate ways and travel back home. We have had a great time and hope you have enjoyed following along as we traveled and climbed our way through Russia. Best regards, RMI Guides Jeff Martin, Pete Van Deventer, and team

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Mt. Rainier: August 16th Summit!

August 16, 2014

Posted by: Ben Liken, Brent Okita, Leon Davis

Elevation: 14,410'

With the freezing level at 13,500', the Mount Rainier summit climb teams reached the top just after 6:00 a.m. RMI Guide Ben Liken reported light winds and sunny with a cloud deck below Camp Muir. They spent over an hour on the summit taking in the views and crossing through the crater to Columbia Crest, the highest point in Washington. By 7:45 a.m. both teams had crested back over the crater rim and began their descent to Camp Muir. Congratulations to today's summit climbers!

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That was the strongest experience of my life. I was overflown by emotions of so many kinds. Special and the hugest THANK YOU go to Brent, Ben, and Pepper - our guides who kept planting confidence and motivation in the team along all of these 4 days. It’s inspiring and uplifting to work with so passionate and professional people, I took quite a few learnings from you guys back to my normal life. Another thank you goes to the whole team – it’s amazing to experience how completely strangers become a tag team and overcome difficulties with the right leadership.

Posted by: Alik Levin on 8/17/2014 at 9:38 am

Just a note to express a heartfelt “THANK YOU!” to our awesome guides: Ben, Brent and Pepper. What an amazing climb! Ben, Brent, Pepper, you were so dedicated, patient and professional throughout our experience, I have no words to express how much I learned and how much I admire you.

Thank you so much!
Christian.

Posted by: Christian Molnar on 8/16/2014 at 9:40 pm