Entries from Locations
We were treated to a perfect night and morning at Barranco Camp. The lights of Moshi twinkled far below, the hanging glaciers and ice fields of Kibo glowed in moonlight above us. We slept in 'til a leisurely breakfast at eight. We walked out of camp just before 9:00 as cumulus clouds began to form up. Within just a few minutes we were out of the gardens and streams of the valley and coming to grips with the great Barranco Wall. With great help from our guides -James, Freddy, Patric, Venance and Philibert, we negotiated the ledges and cliffs. We pulled ourselves up to new ledges and found nooks and crannies for the feet. We squeezed through gaps in the lava and avoided loose and rolling rocks. The wall eased into steep hiking in places, but there were always a few more scrambly bits mixed in. We topped out near 14,000 ft in a little less than two hours. By then the clouds were hiding Kibo and almost everything but our immediate surroundings. We walked down into the next shallow valley and across a few more divides to get to the steeply cut Karanga Valley. Some careful and dusty steps were required to get us down one side and up the other to our new camp on the far rim. Karanga Camp sits at 13,160 ft which isn't too much of a gain over our last camp, so we'll hope for a night relatively free of altitude-associated discomforts. The clouds stuck with us through the afternoon and evening, but of course that didn't prevent us from lounging about and enjoying a couple more excellent meals from Tosha, our climbing chef extraordinaire.
The views will keep until tomorrow.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On The Map
Posted by: Tyler Jones, Jess Matthews
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Tyler Jones and Jess Matthews led their Four Day Summit Climb September 5-8 to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The winds are light but there is a cloud cap near the summit. The teams began their descent from the crater rim at 7:15 en route to Camp Muir. They will continue their descent to Paradise later today.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climbers!
I man’s reach should exceed his grasp or what’s a mountain for!
Neil, I’m awed by what you are doing, but I won’t be happy till I know you are back on terra firma.
Much love.
Posted by: Marilyn Chapman on 9/9/2017 at 5:58 am
We are proud of you. Want to hear all about it.
Bible Isaiah 55:12 “for you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you.”
Posted by: Larry and Virgie Henry on 9/8/2017 at 10:55 am
Leaving camp this morning to the sounds of sheep being moved into the high pastures we walked along the Inca canal and eventually down a steep valley. The vegetation began to change and soon we started to see several types of wildflowers and a few different species of hummingbirds. After a few hours we arrived at our first Incan ruin, Inkaracay.
At the village Wayllabamba (10,000'), the famed Inca Trail joins our trekking route for the remainder of the trip. We said our good byes to the horseman as our porter team joined since we are now in the National Park and horses would have difficulty with the trail ahead and destroy the trail itself. The Inca used llamas as pack animals, they do not have hooves, instead their feet are soft pads like a dogs feet thus gentle on the stone trail.
The team is adjusting to the 'Incan steps' and resting after a long day. We are camped on a scenic mountain bench called Luluchupampa (12,300') looking at the valley below, Salkantay in the distance, and the cloud forest all around us. Two more full days of walking brings us to Machu Picchu.
RMI Guide Mike King
The Mt. Shuksan Seminar, led by RMI Guide Geoff Schellens, reached the summit today. The wildfire smoke obstructed some of the views but the team had a great time on a spectacular route! Some photos from the team above.
At some point in the early morning hours, the clouds cleared away, the full moon and stars came out, along with the great volcanic cone of Kibo, Kilimanjaro's central peak. First light was our first sighting of the mountain we've been climbing. All were thrilled to see it, but it must be admitted that some were a little intimidated by the steep icy mountain flanks rising into the sky. We ate our breakfast and got walking toward the peak at about 8 AM. The walking was pretty easy compared to the tricky trails we'd become accustomed to, but it was taking us steadily higher. Within a few hours of marching through the high desert vegetation, we were breaking altitude records. In fact, by our high point of the day, the Lava Tower, at 15,200 ft, we'd crushed records for Cory, Jen, Don, Syd, Carol, Naomi and Curt. Only Sarah and Martha had been to greater altitude. Cumulus clouds formed up with the heat of the day to rob us of some views, but generally, we were blessed with a fine, calm and dry day for hiking. We worked our way down into the Barranco Valley-back down into the garden of giant Senecios and Lobelias. We reached camp at 13,000 ft by three o'clock. Our staff of porters, cooks, camp boys, waiters and guides seemed pleased with our performance. A few men began clapping, and within minutes, fifty of our best mountain friends were clapping, dancing and singing. Eventually, we all joined in -some of the team managing to get down and shake it while still wearing packs. Not bad after a seven-hour hike and a trip to new heights.
We rested away the afternoon, listening to stories and Swahili at the foot of the Great Barranco Wall.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On The Map
Congratulations to all! My money is on Carol for dancing.
Posted by: Karen Ford on 9/8/2017 at 6:57 am
Sending positive thoughts to the Tulsa Team - Curt, Syd, and Carol (Karl?). Have a great trip! Enjoying your journey from OK.
Posted by: Brent Johnson on 9/8/2017 at 6:13 am
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, Christina Dale
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The September 4 - 7 Summit Climb teams reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning around 6:30 am PT. RMI Guides Elias de Andres Martos and Christina Dale led their teams. After enjoying some time in the crater the teams started their descent. They will return to Camp Muir and then continue to Paradise this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climb teams!
Congratulations Tim Zentz! So happy for you!
Posted by: Tracy Zentz on 9/7/2017 at 8:23 am
YaY! I hope everyone gets back home safely. So proud of you babe! Sitting in a hotel room in Oklahoma is not how I had planned on following your progress. YOU DID IT MR. ZENTZ! You did it!!! Congratulations to all of you and thank you for making it happen leaders Andres & Christina and everyone at RMI. Next trip….?
Posted by: Tari Zentz on 9/7/2017 at 7:58 am
We woke this morning to a snowy camp, after having a wintery mix start around dinner last night. Salkantay was out all day as we hiked through the snow covered trail to Incachiriaska Pass 16,300'. The Team did well despite the altitude and muddy terrain.
We descended down a wide grassy valley and paused often to take in the scenery and soak in the sun after a cold and cloudy day yesterday.
The Team is resting in Pampachuana camp located at 12,800' among a high rural farming community. Through the valley is an Incan canal that was constructed to straighten out the glacial stream that provides water to the farmers. Tomorrow we join the 'Inca Trail' and our horses will leave us as porters join the team for the remainder of the trip.
RMI Guide Mike King
We spent a quiet night at Machame Camp with clouds above and below. Those of us lying awake, still wrestling with jet lag, were never able to detect even the faintest of breezes rustling tent fabric. 6:30 was our wake up target and although we were right on the mark, Kilimanjaro itself decided to sleep in. We were never able to see Kibo, the central peak, due to clouds. We set out at 8 AM in pleasant walking conditions -never in danger of overheating- with the sun obscured. The trail led steeply upward through a giant heather forest. We climbed slowly and steadily, working from time to time on walking and breathing techniques for the days ahead. Views were limited but still enchanting as we reached and followed a ridge top of old lava formations to well over 12,000 ft. We finished with an hour of traversing ledges and trails to the north, turning the corner onto the easier Shira Plateau just after noon. We were in our 12,600 ft new home -Shira Camp- by 12:45. We lounged away the afternoon with meals, naps, storytelling and exploring. Sunset into the cloudy peaks of Shira was briefly beautiful. We finished with a sumptuous alpine dinner in our dining tent, chatted a bit more about legendary climbs and climbers, and then called it a day. (A good day)
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On The Map
Posted by: Brent Okita, Steve Gately
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Brent Okita and Steve Gately led their Four Day Summit Climb team to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The air is smoky and the winds are light. The team will spend a little bit of time in the crater before starting their descent.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climb Teams!
Grant and Brian return TOGETHER, in one whole piece? ;)
Congrats to the team, SO EXCITED to hear all about it!!!
Posted by: MerBear on 9/7/2017 at 3:51 am
Keep climbing! Send pictures when you have them. Air is smoky here too. .......Mom
Posted by: Kay on 9/6/2017 at 3:22 pm
We packed up and left Cusco at 6 am and headed for the Salkantay trail head near Soraypampa. The drive took us over some high passes and down a very scenic river valley filled with eucalyptus trees and small subsistence farms.
When you describe to people the quality of food we eat on these Treks you get some doubtful looks, seeing is believing. Our Team feasted on guacamole and bread only to be followed by a pumpkin soup and rounded out with a main course of vegetable and cheese stuffed trout. That was only lunch, who knows what is for dinner.
Bellies full we set out into grey skies with a spectacular view of Cerro Salkantay and Humantay. Gradually the glaciers and snow covered faces disappeared in a light rain as we walked into camp, Ichupata at 14,846'.
Rain is coming down quite heavily now, the team is getting warm in their tents and we will check in tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mike King
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Dave,
Thank you for providing these daily updates. i get up every morning in Cincinnati and read about the events of the day before….then I read your update to anyone else who will listen. Great fun to enjoy a vicarious adventure with detail and pictures and commentary from an expert.
Seeing new and exotic places is a lifelong passion but I could never do what you and your climbers are doing…..a thousand loud cheers…
My Best,
Judy Van Ginkel (Jennifer’s mother)
Posted by: judy van ginkel on 9/9/2017 at 9:17 am
Way to go Curt, Carol and Syd!! Getting close, looks amazing!
Posted by: Judy Gadlage on 9/9/2017 at 8:05 am
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