Entries from Locations
It's starting to feel a bit like Groundhog Day here on
Aconcagua. All we needed to accomplish today was a carry of food and fuel to High Camp at 19,600'. Aside from that the group's only other task is to out chill the other groups in Camp. The weather has been getting better each day and this morning we decided to take advantage of a cool wind to aid us in our carry. By the time we descended the wind had died and the temperatures were getting hot on the snow slopes we traversed. We are all back in Camp now and while eager to move up and summit the Stone Sentinel, we'll take a rest day tomorrow to give us another two nights acclimating. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
We woke to crystal clear skies and a view of Kibo -
Kilimanjaro’s central peak. After breakfast, we were walking by 8:30 AM. Our trail today was more difficult, right from the start, with steeper grades and bigger steps through volcanic rock. We labored uphill through the “heather and mooreland zone” a very different type of vegetation than yesterday’s near jungle of big trees. In general, we were coming into the open, with bigger views in all directions. Eventually we worked along a ridge crest enjoying glimpses of hawks and eagles soaring below our vantage point. After several hours and several thousand feet of vertical gain, we began a traverse to the left out toward the
Shira Plateau. By afternoon, clouds had overtaken us and we walked in swirling mists. A few steeper rock features required sharper concentration and the use of handholds and balancing, but eventually we turned the corner onto the plateau and walked down a couple hundred feet on easy ground to reach Shira Camp at 12,600 ft. The day’s March had taken us just over five hours. We’d earned a restful afternoon going back and forth between our sleeping tents and the dining tent. Rain showers caught up to us in the early evening, but only for 15 minutes or so. By the time we finished dinner we had largely clear skies and a million stars.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On The Map
Hello everyone,
Today we headed to
Tarangire National Park known for its abundant elephants, and it didn’t disappoint. Not sure how many we saw, probably several hundred at the least. It wouldn’t seem like we could get tired of seeing elephants, but there were so many that eventually we had to keep driving so we could see other animals.
There were lots of giraffes, impalas, monkeys, ostriches, and many others.
One of the highlights was seeing a male Cheetah up close, only about 20 feet away. He was just relaxing under a big tree overlooking a small pond and hardly seemed to notice us.
We are spending our last night here in Africa at Tarangire Balloon Camp, which has beautiful tented rooms with screen windows to allow the sounds of the African bush in.
Everyone is doing great and hoping to see a few more big cats on our way out tomorrow. Then it will be back to our main lodge near Arusha for a brief stop before catching our evening flights home.
Thanks for following.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Sitting down to our 7AM breakfast on the patio at Arumeru River Lodge, we had a great view of
Kilimanjaro this morning. We loaded up the bus and rolled out of the lodge just a few minutes after 8 AM. Traffic was light on the main road and we made good time cruising through the farmland and small villages. Kilimanjaro got bigger and more magnificent as we turned from the highway and began walking uphill toward the 6,000 ft Machame Gate to the national park. As usual, it took a little time to get the team registered and the staffing sorted, but by 10:50, we set out walking in warm, and sunny conditions. Filibert, one of our local guide staff, set the slow and steady pace up through the tall and lush forest. Freddie, our chief guide, along with guides Venance and Happyson brought up the rear. Things clouded up as the day progressed, the high humidity and exertion had everybody sweating before too long. We saw blue monkeys in the trees, a few good birds, and even a small chameleon on the trail. The track itself was in good condition, not too muddy, which certainly helped. We came into Machame Camp (at 9,900 ft) in just over five hours. The Utah gang was delighted to find camp already built and ready for moving into. We met in the mess tent for afternoon tea and then finished the day a few hours later with one of chef Tosha’s excellent dinners. Everybody did great with this big day of work, but most were also plenty happy with turning in early for bed at 8 PM.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On The Map
The team awoke from a restful night of sleep ready to pack up and make our move to
Aconcagua Camp 2. We enjoyed a warm breakfast and coffee in the sun, then packed our things and headed uphill. After three stretches of moderate uphill walking, surrounded by wonderful views of the Central Andes, the team pulled into camp with spirits high and feeling strong. We set up camp in time for an afternoon siesta and snack that everyone enjoyed. We're looking forward to a restful evening here at Camp 2 to prepare for our carry to high camp tomorrow. The weather is looking good, the team is feeling strong and we're all excited to keep moving up the mountain. Thanks for following along!
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
The team did great on the mountain one last time.
We started the stoves at 6:30 am and by 8 am we headed down valley and out of
Aconcagua National Park. Our vehicle transfers went well thanks to our fantastic support on and off the mountain by Fernando Grajales Expeditions they were spot on with support throughout this expedition thank you so much, we could not have had such success without you. Our team just finished a nice celebration dinner here in Mendoza. We are cleaned up, well fed and now looking forward to a nice bed for rest. Tomorrow some will start the journey home, others a meat cooking tour, wine tour, golfing or just some time by the pool. I will enjoy the little bit of rest and recharging getting ready for big Sunday in support of my tribes' alliance to Foxboro, go Pats!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Today our team is continuing to acclimate by enjoying a rest day at
Camp 1. We had lighter wind last night when combined with the carry day made for a better night's sleep for everyone. The forecast is looking good for a summit attempt on the 5th. The team is doing great, feeling well rested and excited to continue moving up the mountain tomorrow. Until then, we continue to enjoy the amazing scenery and calm weather.
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
Jambo everyone,
Today we visited
Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is roughly 100 square miles and is home for the 30,000 to 40,000 animals that have taken up residence.
We hit the road early with hopes of catching a few more animals before the heat of the day.
There were many sightings today of hyenas, jackles, ostrich, and countless other birds. We didn’t manage to see many lions, but did get pretty close to one big male.
One of the highlights was seeing not one, but five Black Rhino which have become very rare do to poaching.
We wrapped up the day with a visit to a Maasai village not far from the crater rim. The Maasai people are a semi-nomadic tribe that exist almost entirely off of their cattle. The team spent time asking questions and enjoyed being shown around their small and simple village.
We have just finished another wonderful meal here at the Plantation Lodge under the stars and the full moon that hopefully everyone back home gets to see too.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
We’ve got the makings of a fine climbing team. Eight pals from Utah and one guide from New Mexico came together in Usa River, Tanzania these last couple of days to begin a
Kilimanjaro adventure. Today our program formally began just after breakfast in the gardens of the Arumeru River Lodge. We sat for a bit discussing strategies and priorities for our week-long attempt on Africa’s highest point. Then it was time for equipment checks and packing up back in the rooms. We want to be ready for departure bright and early tomorrow. All this preparation still allowed time for a combination of relaxing and exploring in the afternoon. Some braved the heat to walk the short distance into the nearby village while others explored the reclining chairs by the swimming pool. We’re each working through jet lag via our own methods. Kilimanjaro showed itself in the distance at sundown as the haze and clouds melted away. Just after dusk, we sat down to dinner on the patio while the super blue moon rose over East Africa. All are excited to get walking up a mountain tomorrow morning.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
RMI Guide Mark Tucker checked in from their last trek camp. After reaching the summit on Saturday morning the team returned to high camp, the following day they descended to
Aconcagua Base Camp. With a good nights rest in the thick air of 13,800’ they packed all their gear, loaded mules and retraced their steps through the Vacas Valley. Tomorrow they will complete their trek and arrive at the end of the trail. By afternoon they plan to be showered and ready for a hearty dinner celebration in Mendoza.
Congratulations to the team!
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Dawn you are doing great. Have a great climb and be safe. We love You and are following very closely. We are with you and the whole team. To the top team. :-)
Posted by: Jerry & Lori Golding on 2/3/2018 at 4:13 pm
Climb Team Climb!!!!!!
Posted by: Dave on 2/3/2018 at 11:18 am
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