Entries from Locations
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
In short order, we went from walking uphill in snow to walking downhill in mud to riding in comfort in Toyota Landcruisers. First day of Safari went just fine. Breakfast and packing at our Usa River Hotel was easy and familiar. At 8 AM we loaded up with our safari driver/naturalists, Ibrahim and Francis, and got out of town. In truth, we actually got a little more into town first, driving through the outskirts of Arusha to get out west into the wide open Tanzanian countryside. Gradually we came into Maasai country and began to see more and more of the tribe known best for their adherence to traditional ways of living. After a few hours, we entered Lake Manyara National Park and began seeing monkeys and baboons, and eventually Cape Buffalo, Hippos, Zebras and Wildebeest. We saw egrets and ibises, storks and eagles. We saw plenty of signs of elephants having been in the area, but we didn’t actually see the big pachyderms or the lions hiding in trees that Manyara is known for. Even so, it was a fine, relaxing day of exploring exotic forest and lakeshore terrain. By the hot part of the afternoon, the animals were sleepy and shy, so we left them and drove up out of the Great Rift Valley to the highlands near the town of Keratu and found our way to the gardens of the luxurious Plantation Lodge. Folks then hit the swimming pool or simply relaxed in comfy veranda chairs as the sun set. We met for the evening in the splendid bar and dining room of the lodge and talked of the possibilities for wildlife encounters tomorrow in Ngorongoro Crater.
Best regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Dawn broke clear and cold this morning as we packed up to move to our next camp, Barranco. The altitude hangover of our first night at 12,500' couldn't be ignored, but by the time we reached camp the small headaches had left us to be replaced with the simple fatigue of a hard day of climbing.
Today was a good day. Our route was perfectly set to give us some challenging altitude as we ascended to Lava Tower at 15,200'. This gave our bodies the chance to acclimate, and our descent to 13,000' and Barranco Camp has allowed some nice rest. Already the team is feeling better.
Set in a valley with the south face of Kilimanjaro right above us, and the strangely beautiful giant senencia trees dotting the landscape, this is my favorite camp. We have just two more short days before we get to high camp, Barafu. And then...
But I get ahead of myself.
The group is firing on all cylinders and really coming together as a team. It's been fun to see and be a part of. Tomorrow is the Barranco Wall, which will require the use of our hands on some of the steeper places, but is less intimidating than the name suggests.
Wish us well and we'll be in touch tomorrow.
RMI Guide Brent Okita
On The Map
The Four Day Summit Climb Team led by RMI Guide JM Gorum reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team climbed well above the heavy marine layer, and reported clear skies with summit temperatures of 25 degrees and winds from the southwest of about 25 mph. The team has started their descent and are en route to Camp Muir.
Congratulations to today's team!
Congratulations on this GREAT accomplishment to be so proud of ! Happy that you are all safe, hoping the return trip is just as good for all of you. Way to go Bob !!!!
Posted by: Barbara waugh on 8/4/2018 at 10:16 am
RMI Guide Peter Whittaker and his entire climbing team stood on the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Peter reported an excellent climbing route and great conditions on the mountain. The team has started their descent and will be celebrating here at Ashford Basecamp this afternoon.
Congratulations Team!
I cant wait to climb with you guys!
Posted by: Brooks Muchenberger on 9/6/2018 at 6:49 pm
We had a gorgeous walk into the Easton on Mt. Baker today. Perfect weather, incredible views, wildflowers, and great company. We're at camp at 6400' at the toe of the Easton glacier, getting ready to enjoy dinner. After a good size day and heavy packs, we are looking forward to our sleeping bags!
RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer
Today we started early and climbed fast to the summit of Mt. Baker. We are back in Glacier enjoying some food and celebrating. What a great day in the mountains!
RMI Guide Zeb Blais
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
It started to seem like we’d get fog and rain for the rest of the trip just to pay for the sweet summit weather we’d been granted. But when we woke today at Mweka Camp, we were under blue skies and high above the white clouds. After breakfast, we enjoyed a gathering of the entire staff for the traditional tipping ceremony. We expressed our great thanks and the guys serenaded us with a few more memorable sing-alongs in the bright sunshine. Then we shouldered packs and hit the muddy trail downward at about 8:30 AM. It was just a few more hours of careful walking in slippery conditions to get down through the rain forest. We stopped at one point to see a couple of colobus monkeys high in the tree canopy, but mostly we paid attention to the treacherous track and to where we were putting our feet. At the Mweka Gate we were down in the clouds again and had a brief rain shower just after signing out of the park. A short walk in the deep dirt of a road construction project took us to our lunch venue and the bus parking lot. We enjoyed a fine picnic and a round of Kilimanjaro and Serengeti beers along with Savanna ciders. Two hours on the bus through the Tanzanian countryside got us back “home” to the Arumeru River Lodge. Showers and a few shaves made the team presentable by evening. We finished with a delightful victory dinner out on the veranda and discussed just how much the climb and our interactions with each other and with the staff have come to mean for us. We are excited to begin the safari tomorrow but we will miss our climbing buddy Tim who will begin flying toward the States and home.
Best regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Congratulations to the team! Thanks for everything DAVE! I feel like I was there in spirit! Enjoy your next journey!
Aunt Vicki
Posted by: Aunt Vicki on 8/1/2018 at 4:07 pm
Hello from camp at 12,570' high on the Shira Plateau. It's wonderful being here in this large, open camp. The sun is shining and providing a nice contrast to our cloudy, wet and somewhat cramped camp of yesterday.
Walking at 8:00 we climbed steeply and steadily for most of the way to camp, taking advantage of key spots to break and enjoy the incredible views of this most interesting world around us. Everyone has adopted the mountain mindset of 'pole pole,' or ' slowly, slowly. ' This allows us to patiently step off to the side whenever another group of the hundreds of porters here need to get past us. We know which side of our bread is buttered. If the porters don't get to camp, we have no camp. More importantly it keeps us from walking too fast and needlessly stressing our bodies, letting us acclimatize to the altitude better.
Everyone is doing well. How can they not be when Tosha, our chef, is spoiling us rotten. Today's lunch: fried chicken, French fries, vegetables and watermelon for dessert. Tomorrow brings us our biggest day yet getting to Barranco via the Lava Tower. Bring it on!
Until tomorrow,
RMI Guide Brent Okita
On The Map
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons led by RMI Guide Jenny Konway reached the summit of Mt. Rainier via the Emmons Route. Jenny reported a great climb with a strong team! This expedition team has spent the last few days on the mountain learning crevasse rescue, anchors and running belays, fixed line travel, and many other alpine mountaineering skills that will prepare them for future endeavors into the mountains. The team is making their way back to Camp Schurman where they will spend the night before descending tomorrow.
Congratulations to the Emmons Team!
It’s a great timing to reach the new heights Kent!!! Proud of you!! Happy birthday and stay safe always!!
Tatiana
Posted by: Tatiana Trofimova on 8/1/2018 at 5:37 pm
Posted by: Kel Rossiter, Bryan Mazaika
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guides Kel Rossiter and Bryan Mazaika reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Kel reported that the team climbed for about 6 hours and 15 minutes to get to the summit. Today they had cooler temperatures and winds from the Northwest as they were climbing. The team has started their descent and are en route to Camp Muir.
Congratulations Team!
Congratulations Kent. What a great birthday present for yourself. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Ye Shaw
Posted by: Ye Shaw Chee on 8/1/2018 at 5:37 pm
Congratulations to you Kent and to your entire team - I couldn’t be more proud of you! This is definitely a once in a lifetime experience.
Will be thinking of you on your birthday tomorrow - celebrate when you arrive at the bottom! Happy Happy Birthday Wishes! Love, Aunt Lynda
Posted by: Aunt Lynda on 8/1/2018 at 3:23 pm
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I am Briana’s aunt in Indiana. I love reading all this. Heck I went to the bottom of the Grand Canyon once ...that would be a cake walk for you all. Take care
Posted by: Jane gasser on 8/2/2018 at 12:54 pm
Your climb looks amazing
To Fern and Nandito and the rest of your team . Good luck and continue to have a blast
Love the Carranza Family from Texas.
Posted by: Federico Carranza on 8/2/2018 at 11:25 am
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