Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
A spectacular day! But this doesn't even do justice to what we saw in the crater. Besides the thousands of animals we saw all day, we were especially lucky to see three black rhinos, which are exceptionally rare. And better yet, we got up close to a pride of lions. Like 30 or so feet away! Wildebeast, zebras, ostriches and a bunch of other critters also a close up show.
Following our safari we visited a Masai village which helped us understand better their culture and life.
And tomorrow ... Tarangire!
All for now since I'm falling asleep.
Cheers,
RMI Guide Brent Okita and Team
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Pete Van Deventer, Raymond Holt, Jack Ritterson, Nicole De Petris, Tom Skoog
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Joe Hoch and Pete Van Deventer reached the summit of Mt. Rainier Early this morning. The team enjoyed the views and spent about an hour on the 14,410' summit before starting their descent. The team will be back in Ashford this afternoon to celebrate their success at Rainier Basecamp.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Tatum Whatford, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,741'
RMI Guide Tatum Whatford and the Mt. Baker Leave No Trace (LNT) team were on the summit of Mt. Baker at 6:41 am today. The team climbed via the Coleman Demming Route.
This program equips participants with the skills and knowledge needed to achieve an LNT Level 2 Instructor certification, and empowers them to effectively teach and certify individuals in Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor courses and Awareness Workshops. The terrain covered on Mt. Baker serves as an ideal classroom, offering diverse environments such as old-growth forests, heather meadows, and immense glaciers, allowing us to focus specifically on LNT techniques relevant to alpine environments.
Reaching the summit of Mt. Baker is a great way to end the week! Congrats Team!
Posted by: Andy Bond, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Bolivia
Our team enjoyed the sunrise at La Estancia Eco Lodge this morning. We then toured La Chincana (the Labyrinth) which dates to 800 AD and was a sacred place people traveled to from the Andean Region. Then a walk back to the harbor to catch a boat ride to lunch. It has been another great day here in Isle del Soul.
RMI Guide Andy Bond & Team
New Post Alerts:
Bolivia Expedition, August 3, 2024
Good luck team! Katie Forsyth, I M pulling for you!
Love,
Aunt Kate
Posted by: Kate Graham on 8/7/2024 at 11:47 am
Posted by: Casey Grom, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Machu Picchu
Hello again everyone!
It was another beautiful day here in Cusco Peru. The team spent the morning visiting several more interesting Incan archaeological site above the city with massive stone structures and panoramic views of the valley.
We then headed to the old town and visit the Sun Temple and then made to the beautiful basilica that sit in the main square of Cusco.
It was another busy day and the team spent the remainder of the day packing up and then headed out for one more fantastic Peruvian fusion dinner.
It’s off to bed we go as tomorrow we head out early for the start of our Trek!!!
RMI Guides Casey Grom, Jess Wedel and the Inca crew
New Post Alerts:
Machu Picchu Trek, August 3, 2024
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 - 8:09 am PT
Today was the first day of our safari following a well-deserved night of sleep. Our drive to Lake Manyara offered up the sights of Arusha and the Masai land the lie between the Park and our hotel. Life and commerce is just so different from what we have at home. So much more personal and social. So much happens on the street.
Our safari guides, Jafari and Comfort, are huge reservoirs of information and ready to speak on just about anything. But of course, they shine when they speak of the flora and fauna we're seeing.
Jafari indicated up front that the rains and flooding of winter and spring have led some animals to leave Lake Manyara National Park, and have forced the closure of some roads elsewhere, but that didn't keep us from being entertained by baboons and elephants, up close and personal. (Have you ever heard an elephant pass gas? A first for me!). Monkeys, cool birds, more elephants and an excellent lunch followed. And now we're at our hotel, the Plantation Lodge. Check it out. It's wonderful! So nice to be able to relax in perfect weather at this amazing lodge.
Truth be told, I'm writing this from a comfy chair poolside where Jeff, Alan and Kevin just stopped by after their run.
Next up: an early start for the Ngorongoro Crater, which is truly a wonder of the world for the wildlife that calls the crater home. We're psyched!
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
Posted by: Jackson Breen, Mitch Valaitis, Celeste Wilson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The six day Expedition Skills Seminar - Paradise August 1 - 6 led by RMI Guide Jackson Breen has enjoyed beautiful weather for their week of training, climbing and camping on Mt. Rainier. Yesterday, after several days of practicing anchors, crevasse rescue, glacier travel and snow camping the team packed up gear and ascended to Camp Muir. Today the teams left Camp Muir with an early alpine start and reached the summit of Mt. Rainier around 5:30 am. They enjoyed an hour in the crater before starting their descent back to Camp Muir. The team will continue down to Paradise later today and conclude their adventure with a celebration of their accomplisments.
Nice work team! We hope you enjoyed your time on the mountain.
Posted by: Steve Gately, George Hedreen, Robert Whyte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb August 3 - 6 led by RMI Guides Steve Gately, George Hedreen and Robert Whyte reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 5:30 am PT today. The team enjoyed some time in the crater before starting their descent. They are currenly making their way back to Camp Muir. After a short break, they will pack up and continue another 4.5 miles to Paradise. Their program concludes today with a celebration at Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
RMI Guide Seth Burns and team checked in from the summit of Mt. Shuksan this morning. It looks like they had a beautiful blue bird sky and excellent conditions for their climb of Fisher Chimneys. They will descend back to camp and continue to the trail head later today to complete their adventure.
Nice work team!
Greetings from Peru everyone.
Today the team started our day with a nice hearty breakfast full of fresh baked bread, local jams, fresh fruit, eggs and an assortment of cheese. Happily washed down with more coffee than most of us needed.
We then boarded our awaiting bus and headed into the surrounding mountains and made our way the beautiful Sacred Valley to visit several massive Inca archeological sites. The first stop was to Ollantaytambo, an ancient Fortress with massive stonework, cobblestone roads and massive terraces used for farming. It was incredibly impressive learning about the area and that all the of massive stones were only moved by hand. We then continued up the Sacred Valley to visit Pisac which is another large and beautiful Incan archaeological site that was equally as impressive. After exploring for a while we made our way back to a nearby local market for some lunch and a little shopping.
It was long but wonderful experience and we wrapped up the evening with another delicious Peruvian meal not far from our hotel. Everyone is doing great and excited for what tomorrow will bring.
RMI Guides Casey, Jess and the Machu Picchu crew!
PC: Jess Wedel
Way to go Benjamin! We are so happy for you and proud of you!
Posted by: Julie Andrews on 8/7/2024 at 12:44 pm
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