Entries from Locations
After so many days of preparation and travel and anticipation, what a thrill it was to finally be walking uphill. We left our comfortable hotel at 8 AM in a bus headed east. We’d reached the Kilimanjaro National Park entrance by 10 AM and after a further hour of getting organized and registered with the park, we were off. It was raining lightly when we left our hotel, but it was merely cloudy and damp when we got walking through the big trees at the start of the Machame route. Moss was thriving and hanging from every branch and tree trunk and the trail was a little greasy under foot. Before long, we were steadily gaining altitude. The bus had taken us to 6000 ft and our goal for the day, Machame Camp, sat at 10,000 ft, so it was always going to be a tough workout. It was certainly tougher for our staff as they raced uphill with far heavier loads than we were carrying. We took short breaks every 90 minutes or so in order to eat and drink and by a little after 4 PM, the trees were getting smaller, the clouds were thinning and magically, our camp appeared… right where we’d hoped to find it. The crew had built us a wonderful home and we simply needed to move in. We sat in our dining tent for an afternoon snack and then, just before dinner, the clouds cleared enough to give our first magical views of Kibo -Kilimanjaro’s central peak- shining in the last rays of the sun nine thousand feet above us. Dinner was excellent and by 8 PM we were crawling into our tents and heading for bed… pleasantly tired and ready for a night with perhaps a little less jet lag.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
The Expedition Skills Seminar – Emmons team turned at high break on their summit attempt today due to high winds. RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer reported steady winds of 50 MPH. The team is back at Camp Schurman, 9,440’, high camp on the Emmons Glacier where they will spend the night. The seminar team will finish their expedition skills training before descending in the morning.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Today was an easy day at the Rivertrees Hotel on the outskirts of Arusha.
The team met after breakfast to get into the details of our Kilimanjaro climb. We discussed staffing and itineraries and what gear gets used when. We talked about getting to the mountain and getting away from it and everything in between. We talked about packing and sorting gear and then we broke up the meeting in order to pack and sort.
Gear checks were performed back in the hotel rooms and then the gang had much of the afternoon to relax and work through jet lag.
We gathered for dinner outside on the patio and then drifted off to rest for our big first day of climbing.
Best Regards,
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Steve Gately, Emma Lyddan, Nicole De Petris, Roland Scott, Cal Seeley
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14, 410'
The Five-Day Climb led by Nikki Champion and Steve Gately reached the summit at 6 am this morning. After a warm walk uphill to Camp Muir on Saturday, teams enjoyed a good night's rest and a beautiful day of training before their ascent this morning.
The teams are currently on their descent and will return to Basecamp this afternoon for a celebration of their accomplishments! Congratulations team!
Way to go team!!!!! I’m Riley’s Mom and I’m so happy he accomplished this challenging
climb on his 3rd try. Congratulations to all of you!! Have a safe climb down.
Posted by: Crista Boyle on 8/1/2022 at 12:45 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Wow. We did it. Against all odds, the team made it clear over to East Africa without missed or canceled flights and without losing luggage.
We’re assembled here in USA River, Tanzania (on the outskirts of Arusha) and ready to begin our Kilimanjaro adventure. Some of the team used the day to explore the town, some were still en route and some of us just napped… trying to work out the jet lag. But we came together for a pleasant dinner in the garden-like setting of the Rivertrees Hotel. Most chose to wear sweaters, finding the cool temps a pleasant change from the various heat waves plaguing the States these days. The nine team members simply enjoyed each other’s company this evening… tomorrow morning we’ll begin the business of prepping for a week of climbing Africa’s highest mountain.
Best Regards,
Dave Hahn
Enjoy every minute!
Posted by: Jeff Tracy on 7/31/2022 at 4:24 pm
Posted by: James Bealer, Sam Hoffman, Brian Walters
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
RMI Guide James Bealer checked in from the summit of Mt. Baker this morning.
After a warm walk into camp, the team enjoyed their breakfast before starting their ascent in the mid-morning. They stood atop Mt. Baker (Komo Kulshan) at around 11 am this morning.
Congrats team!
Posted by: Mike King, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14, 410'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Mike King and Avery Parrinello reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 4:30 am today. Mike reported 40 mph winds, clear skies, and a good climbing route. The team is in route to Camp Muir where they will take a well-deserved rest break, pack up and descend to Paradise. Then its back to Rainier Basecamp in Ashford, WA for burgers, cold drinks, and a little team celebration.
Good job everybody! Amazing team of guides across both groups
Posted by: Wes on 7/30/2022 at 5:56 pm
Posted by: Alan Davis, Dustin Wittmier, Tatum Whatford, George Hedreen, Tyler Meyers, Lacie Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb July 26 - 29, 2022 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. RMI Guides Alan Davis & Dustin Wittmier led today's climbers to the crater at 14,410'. Warm temperatures and clear skies continue, allowing great views in all directions. The team began their descent from the crater rim around 6:20 am and are making their way back to Camp Muir. After a quick stop at Muir, the teams will continue the final 4,500' descent to Paradise and transfer to Rainier Basecamp. The team will conclude thier program this afternoon with a celebration.
Nice climbing team!
Posted by: Seth Burns, Josh Geiser, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
RMI Guides Seth Burns, Josh Geiser and Michael Murray reached the summit of Mt. Baker today with 100% of their team. Seth reported a nice sunrise climb this morning via the Easton Glacier. The team will return to camp for their final night on the mountain. Tomorrow they will walk out to the trailhead and conclude their program.
Congratulations to the team!
Posted by:
Categories: Guide News Mount Rainier
Words by Clarence Norment:
I’ve been climbing Rainier for a long time – 40 years to be exact! I first climbed with Wilderness Ventures, through RMI, in 1982 when I was 16. Since then, I’ve climbed 4 additional times – in ’96 with my late wife Mary Elisa on a cross-country trip right after we got married, in ’97 on a 5-day Muir skills seminar, in 2012 with Casey Grom, and in 2017 with a group of seven friends on a team led by Jess Matthews! This time around, I brought my daughter, Charlotte, who has wanted to climb ever since she was little, but had to wait until she was old enough! She’s heading into her senior year in high school, which is exactly when I first climbed. So this is a really cool full circle experience for us. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to have some awesome experiences with RMI, led by some amazing guides: John Day and Craig Van Hoy back in the 80s, George Dunn and Phursumba in ’96, Jeff Witherspoon in ’97, Casey in 2012, and Jess Matthews in 2017.
Charlotte and I had an AWESOME climb with Nikki. The summit wasn’t in the cards this time around, but we did get to the top of the DC and had an incredible experience – and got back down safe and sound, which is always key! It was the first time I haven’t summitted, and my joke at the post-climb celebration was that it took me forty years and 6 tries to finally get a “Certificate of Accomplishment”! In all seriousness, I really am proud of this climb. Charlotte absolutely crushed it and was super strong – she would’ve continued on if I had – and I think the fire has been lit in her to make this a part of her life now, too. We’ll absolutely be back again, and my other two kids, Elena (20) and Clay (15) were very envious of Charlotte and are wanting to climb now too – so mission accomplished!
It has been such an amazing 40-year history, and having my daughter climb with me this time brought things full circle. She reminded me of myself when I climbed at her age – no fear whatsoever!
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Following… Sending love and encouragement from Coronado!
Posted by: Monica on 8/3/2022 at 8:18 am
Enjoying the climb back here in Michigan! 840 ft above sea level!
Posted by: Bruce Cumback on 8/3/2022 at 6:31 am
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