Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
It was cloudy and cool at Plantation Lodge when we set out at 7 this morning. And it was cloudier and cooler still when we reached the rim of the giant collapsed volcano that we intended to spend the day inside of. We each had jackets or sweaters on as Fabian and Godson brought the Landcruisers down the steep and exposed road into the Ngorongoro caldera. We began seeing wildlife immediately. Herds (big herds) of wildebeest, zebra and Cape buffalo. We went on the prowl, looking for big cats and rhinos. This would be our only opportunity to see black rhinos... but we came up empty on that score. Those guys were a little too shy to come into range of our binoculars. We did see some cats -big and small- there was a serval cat and there were some lions. We got a look at a lioness staring intently through the grass at some unsuspecting buffalo. And ultimately we saw two full grown male lions lounging on what turned out to be a sunny afternoon. We saw hippos and elephants and secretary birds and bustards. There were hyenas and jackals and vultures. By day’s end, we were barely turning our heads to see gazelles as they’d become too run of the mill and common. We saw plenty of other Toyota Landcruisers -it is high season for tourism after all. We crisscrossed the crater and bounced over darn near every dirt road, still standing with our heads out the tops of the vehicles at 5 PM trying to see every last critter and geological wonder we could. Finally we escaped the caldera and came home to our comfy hotel. We watched the sun set and the moon rise, had a relaxing and reminiscing outdoor happy hour before a fine dinner in the dining room.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Posted by: Brent Okita, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb August 11 - 14 reached Columbia Crest, the highest point on Mt. Rainier, just after 7 AM. RMI Guides Brent Okita and Avery Parrinello led their teams on a beautiful, beautiful day with light winds. After enjoying the views from the summit, the teams began their descent from the crater rim. Once back at Camp Muir they will take a short break and then continue down to Paradise.
Congratulations to today's climbing teams!
Posted by: JT Schmitt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons August 10 - 15, 2019 led by RMI Guide JT Schmitt made their summit attempt today after several days of training on and off the mountain. Firm and steep conditions on the route today prevented the team from reaching the summit. The climbers enjoyed testing their climbing skills on challenging terrain. They are now back at Camp Schurman and will continue training. Tomorrow they will break camp and return to the trailhead and back to Rainier BaseCamp.
Always smarter to stay safe. Now just wasn’t the time. Mountain will always be there.
Ya may not have reached the summit but you all had an experience many will never get a chance to have.
Not to mention the knowledge to pursue future endeavors.
Hi 5 folks.
Its still a damn solid accomplishment. Some folks cant even get off of the couch so I tip my hat to all of ya
All about the journey not the trip.
Posted by: Loco Raindrops on 8/15/2019 at 5:12 am
Sorry to hear this. I know they worked really hard and must be extremely disappointed.
Posted by: Jenni on 8/14/2019 at 7:53 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Beds are a wonderful invention. That seemed to be the consensus view shared over breakfast at the Arumeru River Lodge this morning. Leaving for Safari was certainly easier and more casual than leaving to climb Kilimanjaro was. We drove west through Arusha starting just after 8 AM and after all the traffic and stoplights it was a relief to break into the open countryside beyond the city. Our two Landcruiser drivers are also our two naturalists and guides. Godson and Fabian began educating us on Tanzania in general, on the Maasai Tribe (since we are passing through much Maasai territory) on trees and animals and geography.
It took the morning to reach Lake Manyara, our National Park for the day. We popped the tops on the cars and stood hanging over the edges with cameras and binoculars in hopes of seeing exotic critters. We weren’t disappointed. There were Cape Buffalo and a few shy elephants. There were giraffes and wildebeest and zebra. Storks, pelicans, flamingos, vultures and ibis. We saw monkeys and baboons. Folks liked the hippos out rolling in lily-covered wallows, yawning and grunting and flipping their tails.
After a great picnic lunch, we drove a few more rough dirt road laps through forest and the lake shore and then in late afternoon drove out of the park and up the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley to our hotel -the Plantation Lodge. The contrast with our dusty camps of the past week could not be greater. Plantation is a beautiful garden surrounding with tastefully constructed and furnished rooms. The dining room and bar are comfortable enough, with such friendly service, that a few of our team are now considering simply living here indefinitely. They can do that after tomorrow though, because we’re going out exploring again... Ngorongoro Crater is calling us.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Our entire Mt. Baker reached the summit via the Easton Glacier at 8:15 this morning! The weather has been great and the route is in good condition. Everyone is doing well. We are back at camp and will be packing up to head to the trailhead shortly.
RMI Guide Hannah Smith
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Mike Uchal
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside
Elevation: 18,510'
We had a PERFECT summit day today. Last night's winds had calmed by morning and we got started just before 8 am. We climbed along Lenz Rocks before banking to the west and beginning the traverse across a large bowl towards the saddle between the East and West summits. The sky was brilliant blue all day without a cloud in the sky. We intersected the route to the West summit and all of the Southside climbers midway up the final pitch. The timing couldn't have been better as all of them were already descending and we had the summit entirely to ourselves, something of a rarity on Elbrus. The views over the surrounding Caucasus and the verdant green hills back towards Kislovodsk were stunning, and we spent about 30 minutes on top taking them in.
Marc and Mike decided to take an extra jaunt to tag the East summit as well, while the rest of the team descended back to our camp at Lenz. We took a brief break, then packed our camp to descend further to the relative comforts of the Moraine Camp at 12,000'. With ramen to recharge us, we're headed to bed after a long, full day. We'll continue to base camp in the morning, more than likely spend the night there, then return to Kislovodsk the following day. But now, to bed.
RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Mike Uchal, and team
On The Map
Congratulations!!! How awesome! Safe travels back everyone!
Posted by: Jimmy Hoadrea on 8/14/2019 at 10:11 am
Congratulations Dan and the entire team!
Posted by: Tom Maddalena on 8/14/2019 at 7:16 am
Summit! The Four Day Team enjoyed beautiful weather and some time in the crater this morning. They began their descent from the crater rim a little before 8 AM. The guides reported very little wind and a beautiful day on the mountain. Once back at Camp Muir the teams will take a short break before continuing down to Paradise and eventually to Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
No small feat. Congratulations team!
Posted by: G Han on 8/13/2019 at 9:33 am
The Five Day Climb August 9 - 13 led by RMI Guide Joe Hoch reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The team enjoyed a spectacular morning on the mountain with very little wind and clear skies. After soaking in the views from the summit the team will return to Camp Muir and then continue their descent to Paradise. They will conclude their program this afternoon at Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Such great news! Hooray!
Posted by: Suzanne Ryning on 8/13/2019 at 9:09 am
Congratulations team, great to hear!
Posted by: Kelly Tipson on 8/13/2019 at 8:42 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Yesterday our team made a strong summit attempt of Sahale Mountain in poor conditions. We reached 8,100' on the Quien Sabe Glacier following a morning of low visibility as well as increasing rain and wind. With a deteriorating weather forecast we decided not to cross a tricky bergschrund, which would have put us in a difficult place considering the soggy snow conditions. We returned to camp wet, but in high spirits knowing we gave it our best go. The entire team did an excellent job and are looking forward to sunny summits in the future!
RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier
The RMI Alpine Classic team led by RMI Guide Mike Walter was unable to leave camp at Lake Ann for a summit attempt of Mt. Shuksan due to steady rain. The team tried to wait out the rain but the rain persisted. They descended to the trailhead earlier today.
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Congrats Edd!! I’m so excited for you, albeit a bit jealous that I didn’t get to see what you did! I hope it was an amazing experience! I can’t wait to hear all about it. Thinking I need to try again & hope the weather will cooperate.
Posted by: Julie Frisbey on 8/14/2019 at 8:51 am
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